Blocked Drains & Pipes
Slow-draining sinks, gurgling toilets, bad smells or water bubbling up from the gully trap outside are all signs of a blocked drain, and they rarely fix themselves. Shop-bought drain cleaners might shift a minor clog, but they won't touch tree roots or a damaged pipe, and harsh chemicals can be hard on older pipes.
Joe from Bluey's Plumbing & Gasfitting clears blocked drains for homes across
Warragul,
Drouin,
Moe,
Morwell,
Traralgon, and
Pakenham.
1. CCTV Inspections
Find the Cause with a CCTV Drain Camera
Before clearing anything, Joe feeds a waterproof camera into your drain or sewer line. He sees exactly what's causing the blockage and where it is, and so can you, on screen.
The most common culprits are tree roots growing through joints in older clay pipes, a build-up of grease and fat, "flushable" wipes (which don't break down like toilet paper), and pipes that have cracked, sagged or collapsed with age.
The camera can also trace where your sewer and stormwater pipes run, which is handy before building an extension, putting in a driveway or landscaping. If the camera shows a pipe is too damaged to jet safely, Joe will tell you before he starts, not after.
2. Clear It with High-Pressure Water Jetting
Once the blockage is located, Joe clears it with a high-pressure water jetter. It cuts through tree roots, grease, silt and debris, and scours the inside of the pipe clean, rather than just punching a hole through the middle the way a plunger or drain snake does. That means the drain is far less likely to block again soon.
If the camera shows a broken or collapsed section, jetting alone won't fix it. Joe has the equipment for excavation and pipe repairs, so he can fix the damaged section properly. Blocked drain overflowing right now? See our
emergency plumbing service
Why Jetting Beats Chemicals and Plungers
High-pressure jetting is the most effective way to clear most drain blockages. Here's why:
| Chemical-Free | Uses only water, so there are no harsh chemicals going down your drains or into the environment. |
|---|---|
| Gentle on Healthy Pipes | Safe for pipes in reasonable condition. The camera inspection comes first, so Joe knows whether your pipes can handle it before he starts. |
| Clears Tough Blockages | Cuts through tree roots, hardened grease and silt that plungers and drain cleaners can't shift. |
| Cleans the Whole Pipe | Scours the full width of the pipe instead of just poking a hole through the blockage, so drains stay clear for longer. |
| Cleans the Whole Pipe | Most blockages are cleared from an existing access point, so there's no need to dig up your yard or driveway. Excavation is only needed if the pipe itself is broken. |
| No Digging Needed | Most blockages are cleared from an existing access point, so there's no need to dig up your yard or driveway. Excavation is only needed if the pipe itself is broken. |
What Locals Say About Bluey's Plumbing
“We cannot speak highly enough of Blueys Plumbing, Joe went over and above to help us both with gas & plumbing issues. If I could give a higher rating I would.”
“Gippsland needs more tradies like Joe. Honest, transparent and reliable. He even answered the kids questions while he worked. Saved ourselves a ton of money down the track. No BS and professional Joe will not stuff you around.”
“Joe has provided excellent service from start to finish. Clear and concise in what the job required and provided pictures of before and after. Area left spotless. Absolute value for money indeed. I WILL be using Bluey Plumbing again.”
“Second time I’ve used Joe and his work is spot on as always. On time and polite he walks you through what he will be doing. With follow up calls to make sure everything is working properly. Highly recommend Joe for all plumbing and gas fitting needs. 10/10.”
“A friend recommended Bluey's to me for a home plumbing job. I now recommend them to everyone I know. Punctual, professional and upfront discussion and pricing. Thanks Bluey's. It's great to have a reliable local service.”
“Bluey’s plumbing 10/10 service always there to help. Always honest and always there to get things done right the first time.”
“Joe explained clearly the options I had taking into account my property specifics. He went and purchased hardware without extra charge as what I had wasn't the best fit. Reliable honest work. 10/10 Thanks Joe.”
Why does my drain keep blocking?
Repeat blockages usually mean something further down the line, such as tree roots, a sagging pipe or a partial collapse.
A camera inspection shows what's going on, so you're not paying for the same clear-out every few months.
Should I use drain cleaner?
For a minor kitchen clog, it might help. For anything recurring, or anything involving roots, it won't fix the cause, and repeated use can be hard on older pipes.
Are "flushable" wipes really flushable?
No. They don't break down like toilet paper, and they're one of the most common causes of blocked sewers. Put them in the bin.
Is a blocked sewer my responsibility or the water authority's?
Generally, homeowners are responsible for the pipes on their own property, and the water authority is responsible for the main sewer.
That's Gippsland Water for most of your area and South East Water around Pakenham. The exact boundary varies, so Joe can help you work out which side of the line the problem is on.