How Much Does it Cost to Unblock A Drain in Melbourne, Victoria?
The cost to clear a blocked drain in Melbourne varies from one project to another. For example, there could be a blocked drain at a residential facility or at a commercial facility with different issues that could be causing the problem. You will find that there are several factors that must go into determining the problems surrounding a blocked drain and the cost involved to get it cleared up. We at Heritage Plumbing Group can come to your location and perform a thorough assessment of your situation and provide you with a quote.
Types of Drains and Factors That Impact Cost
Some of the key factors that impact the cost to unclog a drain in Melbourne consist of the type of drain that is blocked. There are drains that are located in and around residential and commercial properties that may require a relatively simple fix or a major repair.
The main purpose of a drain is to funnel wastewater from one location to another. For example, one of its primary purposes is to transfer sewage from commercial or residential properties to recycling facilities. Drains are also used to capture and funnel rainwater and other wastewater into rivers, and to collect and transport water into receptacles.
Drains are normally used in and outside of residential and commercial properties. The factors associated with the cost to repair blocked drains could consist of a variety of factors, including the location of the blockage and the actual items or debris that is causing the blockage.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560"]
Drain Unblocking Cost in Melbourne[/caption]The most common types of drains include the following:
- Sewerage Drains;
- Re-circulated Drains; and
- Storm water Drains.
Sewer Drains: Sewer drains are designed to get rid of both black and greywater typically from commercial buildings. Blackwater, normally consists of human faeces and similar types of waste, whereas greywater is considered wastewater but it does not contain human faeces. It is wastewater generated from showers, sinks, and baths.
Sewer drains are constructed with traps that are designed to prevent gas from seeping into residential or commercial properties. Gravity, pumps and other properties and devices cause wastewater to be diverted away from the home or commercial property to purification plants.
On occasions, septic systems, often referred to as cesspits are built directly into a property and are used to collect sewage wastewater. It’s important that the appropriate drainage company is hired to make sure there is no overflow. Heritage Plumbing Group can address issues such as these offerings the most economical prices in Melbourne.
Storm Water Drains: Storm water drains are used to drain any excess rain as well as surface water from various properties. They can typically be found along sidewalks and they are maintained by different Municipalities in the local area. If property owners have excess rainwater, they will be required to have storm water drains installed on their property. Because of safety regulations and to ensure that no one falls into a Storm water drain, covers must be placed over them. Storm water drains must be installed professionally by a well-trained, plumber with an appropriate license.
Re-circulated Drains: Re-circulated drains are those that are normally found in swimming pools or water fountains. This water is reused on a regular basis and is designed for ongoing use. However, there are safety regulations based on the level of installation and maintenance work that is required.
Based on the severity of each of these issues mentioned above, there could be a huge impact on the total cost. There could be a variance in cost between under $100 to well over $1000. If any of the issues above cause severe damage such as flooding, the repair cost could be even higher. However, if the situation is left unattended, the cost would increase significantly.
If the cause of the problem has to do with damaged drain pipes they may need to be replaced based on the severity of the problem. Normally, damage to drain pipes are caused by tree roots.
Whenever you have a blocked drain it is not advisable to attempt to repair the issue yourself. You could cause additional damage that could increase the cost associated with the repairs. It’s important to engage a licensed plumber who is familiar with plumbing issues that occur in Melbourne.
Another factor that could have an impact on the cost is whether the plumber is required to use sophisticated equipment to unblock drains. Oftentimes, before this can take place, they must first locate the cause of the problem using a small telescopic camera.
Because of the CCTV camera, it’s a lot easier for plumbers to identify the location of an actual blockage. The blockages often consist of tree roots, clogged hygiene products, children’s toys, hair or grease build-up.
This visual equipment has allowed plumbers to do their jobs easier and faster than before, which saves both time and cost.
Other pieces of equipment that make it easier for plumbers to complete their jobs are electric eels that are effective, however, they have some limitations. Hydrojet devices allow plumbers to apply a high amount of pressure to unblock drains. It’s also an effective cost-saving method.
It is not required for a plumber to have these tools, however, without them, the repair or remediation will likely take longer and cost a lot more money.
Signs You May Have a Drainage Problem
Signs that you may have a drainage problem may be visible in a few areas around your home. These signs include leaks or issues with the following:
- The Bathtub or shower
- The Toilet or Sewage
- The Garbage Disposal
These are typical issues that there could be more serious issues that require further assessment.
Additional Maintenance Cost
Additional cost may also be added for those in need of maintenance. There are many benefits to having maintenance services. For one, it could reduce the overall repair cost over time.
Those who have their drains well maintained on a regular basis can have the drains cleared of blockages easily. Otherwise, the blockage creates more permanent damage to the pipes, which ultimately increases the cost. Most maintenance costs are minimal and allow companies such as Heritage Plumbing Group to prevent major plumbing problems from occurring in the future.
Additional Cost for Installation Services
After a qualified licensed plumber or a drainer has been hired, they will determine what regulations and standards need to be followed based on the type of drainage that has been installed at your home or commercial facility. If a situation arises that requires major construction or additional piping, then you know that you need a drainer or a licensed plumber that specializes in performing draining services.
Who Should You Call For the Job?
Based on your situation, you may be in need of a licensed plumber or a drainer.
Plumbers are licensed to perform services such as unclogging blocked toilets, issues with solar powered hot water systems, jacuzzies as well as backflows. They must be licensed for this type of work to ensure quality and the safety of your home or commercial facility.
The costs associated with plumbing services can cost anywhere from $60-$12,000 based on the job being performed. However, you should plan to pay at a minimum between $60-$140 for basic repairs to a blocked drain.
In addition to that, cost also varies based on the area of Melbourne that you live in. The following are general costs for plumbing services that involve common drainage jobs:
- Between $80 to $120 to unblock a toilet or a kitchen drain. These drains can typically be repaired without the use of major equipment. Causes of the problem is normally due to blockages caused by hair, food scraps, or excessive use of toilet paper.
- Between $300 to $500 to clear a short stretch of a blocked drain. These blockages are normally located within the pipes and often requires the use of special machinery. These blockages are usually called by tree roots, grease, feminine products or wet wipes.
- Between $1000 to $3000 to replace part of a drainage piping system. This is usually required when something more permanent is required as opposed to simply repairing the pipes.
- Between $5,000 to $20,000 to have your entire drainage system replaced. The cost is based on the difficulty of the job.
If you require a professional drainer, they are required to have a separate class of licensing and specialized training to address common drainage issues.
If your clogged drain requires the assistance of a professional drainer, the job is usually a lot larger than that of a traditional plumber. The work that is involved with sanitary drainage is defined by the NSW Fair Trading Division when the work requires a professional to extend, disconnect, construct, remove, ventilate any type of sanitary drainage that is connected directly or indirectly to a sewer.
This includes drainage work that is associated with an on-site wastewater management system. This type of work obviously is a lot more involved and consequently, it’s a lot more costly as well, but can be performed by our staff at the Heritage Plumbing Group. Please contact our office for more information.
Beware of Sales Gimmicks
It’s important that as a business owner or a homeowner, you are aware of scams and sales gimmicks surrounding the plumbing business in Melbourne. There are times where plumbing companies may advertise plumbing services that are offered for a very low price without actually knowing what the problem is or the causes of the problem.
Normally, if the services are offered for a low price – take care! In most cases, additional expenses will arise that were not mentioned in the initial advertisement. For example, you might have to incur additional costs:
- for callouts fees;
- the use of special machinery; and
- labour and resources.
In cases such as these, it’s really difficult to know exactly what the cost will be. In most cases, you’re dealing with a plumber who lacks concern for customer care and good quality services overall.
In most cases, it’s difficult to determine what the problem is without doing an initial assessment. After initial assessments are performed, then an estimate can be made based on the true value of the work that needs to be performed.
There are so many other things that could have an impact on the final price and having the proper solution is based on knowing what the cause is and where the blockages are. For example, if you have a blocked drain as a result of food scraps that were put in the kitchen sink, it’s typically pretty easy and inexpensive to repair. However, if the source of the problem is due to a blockage in your sewage pipes due to something more threatening such as tree roots, grease, or other solid masses, then it will be a lot more challenging and expensive to solve.
Sometimes additional cost can be incurred based on where the blockage is located. If a blockage is close to the opening of the drain, which is typically above the S-trap then it’s a lot easier to get to. It’s less expensive than it would be if the problem was further down the drain and below the S-trap. Those that are below the S-trap and have made their way down to the main lines will be more difficult to get to and repair. Needless to say, as a result these costs will be a lot more costly to repair as well.
In cases where there is a sewer choke that has taken place in a public wastewater pipe, a blockage can be caused in a private wastewater pipe. In situations such as this, it becomes the responsibility of the local council or State Government to address the problem and cover the cost. If additional expenses have been incurred as a result, you can put in a request to be reimbursed for the State’s portion of the expenses. It’s important to have a professional licensed well-trained plumber or drainer thoroughly assess the problem so they can properly allocate the costs formally.
If you are in need of a plumber or a drainer in Melbourne, Heritage Plumbing Group can provide you with the solution you need at a price you can afford. We will provide you with a quote that is as accurate as possible based on our initial assessment of your plumbing problem. For more information please contact a member of our team and we will be happy to assist you with your plumbing problems.