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Blocked drain clearing service in the Northern Rivers, NSW

Master Blasta Plumbing — Northern Rivers

Blocked
Drains

Fast, effective drain clearing across Casino, Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina and the whole Northern Rivers. High-pressure water jetting, CCTV inspection, root cutting — same-day service available.

Call Now Emergency 24/7 — Call 0487 810 593

Why Drains Block

Common Blockage Causes

Understanding what's causing your blocked drain helps you prevent it happening again.

Here are the six most common culprits we see across the Northern Rivers — from Casino and Lismore to Byron Bay and Ballina.

🧴

Grease & Fat Buildup

Cooking oils and fats solidify inside pipes over time, narrowing the bore until flow stops completely. Kitchen sinks are the most common victim.

🌿

Tree Root Intrusion

Roots seek moisture and can crack or infiltrate sewer and stormwater lines — especially in older clay or concrete pipes. Left unchecked, they cause full blockages and pipe collapse.

💇

Hair & Soap Scum

Hair binds with soap residue to form dense clumps that accumulate in shower and bath drains. Even slow-draining showers are a warning sign.

🧻

Foreign Objects & Wipes

"Flushable" wipes, sanitary products, and children's toys are a leading cause of toilet and sewer blockages. They don't break down like toilet paper.

🏚️

Collapsed or Deteriorated Pipes

Older clay, concrete, or cast-iron pipes can crack, sag, or collapse — creating low spots where debris accumulates and flow is restricted.

🌧️

Stormwater & Leaf Debris

Leaves, dirt, and garden debris wash into stormwater drains during heavy rain. Blocked stormwater lines cause flooding around the home's perimeter.

Try These First

DIY Remedies for Homeowners

Minor blockages can sometimes be cleared without calling a plumber.

Work through these steps in order — if the drain is still blocked after step 5, it's time to call Terry on 0487 810 593.

Try a Plunger

For sink or toilet blockages, a good-quality cup plunger can dislodge minor obstructions. Cover the overflow hole with a wet cloth, create a seal, and pump firmly 10–15 times.

Boiling Water (Kitchen Sinks Only)

Slowly pour a full kettle of boiling water down the kitchen sink in two or three stages. This can melt grease buildup in the trap. Do not use on PVC pipes — use hot (not boiling) water.

Baking Soda & Vinegar

Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and wait 30 minutes, then flush with hot water. Effective for minor organic buildup.

Remove and Clean the Trap

Under kitchen and bathroom sinks, the P-trap (the curved pipe section) often collects debris. Place a bucket underneath, unscrew the trap, clean it out, and refit.

Drain Snake / Hand Auger

A hand-cranked drain snake can reach 3–5 metres into a pipe to break up or retrieve a blockage. Available from hardware stores. Useful for bathroom drains and toilets.

Plumber inspecting a blocked drain caused by tree root intrusion, Northern Rivers NSW

Don't Wait

When to Call a Professional

DIY methods only work on minor, localised blockages.

These warning signs mean there's a deeper problem that needs a licensed plumber — and the longer you wait, the worse (and more expensive) it gets.

Multiple drains blocked at the same time

Sewage smell inside the home

Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains

Water backing up into other fixtures

Recurring blockages in the same drain

Slow drains throughout the whole house

Water pooling around floor drains

Visible sewage overflow outside

Call Terry — 0487 810 593

High-pressure water jetting to clear a blocked drain in Lismore, Northern Rivers NSW

Up to 5,000 PSI

Full pipe bore restored

Our Primary Method

High-Pressure Water Jetting

Water jetting is the most effective method for clearing blocked drains — far superior to chemical cleaners or hand snaking.

It doesn't just punch a hole through a blockage; it scours the entire pipe wall clean, removing grease, scale, roots, and debris for a result that lasts.

Access Point Located

Terry identifies the nearest cleanout or inspection opening to the blockage — minimising disruption to your property.

Jetting Nozzle Inserted

A flexible hose with a specialised nozzle is fed into the pipe. Different nozzle types target grease, roots, or scale.

High-Pressure Water Applied

Water is blasted at up to 5,000 PSI — cutting through blockages and flushing debris downstream and out of the system.

Full Pipe Bore Restored

Unlike chemical cleaners that only punch a hole through a blockage, jetting cleans the entire pipe wall — restoring full flow and preventing rapid re-blocking.

Post-Jet Inspection

Where needed, a CCTV camera confirms the pipe is clear and checks for any underlying damage that caused the blockage.

Why not just use chemicals? Drain cleaners are corrosive, harmful to older pipes, and only partially dissolve a blockage. Jetting physically removes all debris — and the results last far longer.

See Inside Your Pipes

CCTV Drainage Inspection

When a blockage keeps coming back, or you need to know the condition of your pipes before buying a property, a CCTV drain inspection gives you the full picture.

No guesswork, no unnecessary digging — just a live camera feed of your pipes and a written report you can act on.

CCTV drain camera inspection identifying blockage location in Casino, Northern Rivers NSW

Camera Inserted

A waterproof, self-levelling camera head is fed into the drain via an access point. No digging required.

Live Video Feed

Terry monitors a real-time video display showing the inside of your pipes — identifying blockages, root intrusion, cracks, or pipe deformation.

Exact Location Pinpointed

The camera transmits a signal that locates the exact position and depth of any problem — so repairs are targeted, not guesswork.

Written Report Provided

You receive a clear summary of findings with recommended action — whether that's jetting, pipe relining, or excavation and replacement.

Pre-Purchase Drain Inspections

Buying a property? A CCTV inspection of the sewer and stormwater lines can reveal costly problems before you sign. We provide a written report you can use in negotiations.

Real Jobs, Real Results

Case Studies

Three recent blocked drain jobs across the Northern Rivers — what we found, what we did, and the outcome.

Every job is different. These examples show how we diagnose and resolve blockages of varying complexity.

Before

After

📍Casino, NSW

Problem

Recurring kitchen sink blockage — cleared twice in 6 months but kept coming back.

Diagnosis

CCTV inspection revealed a partial pipe sag 4 metres from the kitchen, creating a low spot where grease was accumulating.

Solution

High-pressure jetting cleared the immediate blockage. Pipe relining was recommended to correct the sag long-term.

No further blockages reported in 12 months following the jetting service.

Before

After

📍Lismore, NSW

Problem

All drains in the house running slow — toilets gurgling when shower was used.

Diagnosis

Main sewer line partially blocked by tree roots from a large fig tree in the front yard.

Solution

Root cutting attachment used with the jetter to clear the intrusion, followed by full-bore jetting to flush debris.

Full flow restored same day. Customer advised on root barrier options to prevent recurrence.

Before

After

📍Byron Bay, NSW

Problem

Stormwater drain overflowing during heavy rain, flooding the driveway and garage.

Diagnosis

Stormwater pit packed with leaf litter and sediment, with a secondary blockage in the underground line.

Solution

Pit cleaned out manually, then jetting used to clear the underground stormwater pipe.

Drain flowing freely. No flooding reported in subsequent wet season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to clear a blocked drain?

A simple kitchen or bathroom drain clear starts from around $400. Main sewer blockages requiring jetting or CCTV are priced on inspection — call 0487 810 593.

How long does a drain clearing take?

Most residential blockages are cleared within 1–2 hours. Main sewer lines or complex root intrusions may take longer — we'll give you a realistic timeframe on assessment.

Will you need to dig up my yard?

In most cases, no. High-pressure jetting and CCTV inspection are non-invasive. Excavation is only required if a pipe has collapsed — and we'll always discuss this before proceeding.

Do you service rural properties?

Yes — we cover the full Northern Rivers including rural properties around Casino, Kyogle, Bonalbo, Nimbin, and beyond.

Blocked Drain? Call Now.

Same-day service available across the Northern Rivers. Licensed, insured, and ready to fix it fast.

Call 0487 810 593 Schedule Repair — Same-Day Service

Licence No. 230095C · ABN 87 476 153 122 · Available 24/7 for emergencies

What our customers say

Blocked Drains Reviews

5.0(3 reviews)

Verified

Cleared a stubborn root blockage in under an hour

“Terry arrived within 45 minutes of my call. He used the CCTV camera to find a tree root that had cracked the pipe, then water-jetted the whole line clean. No mess, no fuss — and he showed me the before-and-after footage on his tablet. Absolutely brilliant service.”

Problem

Tree root had cracked the main sewer pipe, causing a complete blockage

Solution

CCTV inspection to locate the root intrusion, followed by high-pressure water jetting to clear the line

Resolved in52 minutes

Satisfaction

10/10

Root blockage cleared, pipe inspected and given the all-clear

Karen M.

Lismore

June 2026

Verified

Kitchen drain cleared fast — great communication

“Blocked kitchen sink on a Friday afternoon. Terry was there within two hours, cleared the grease blockage with the water jet and checked the rest of the line while he was at it. Friendly, professional and didn't try to upsell me on anything I didn't need.”

Problem

Kitchen sink completely blocked on a Friday afternoon — grease build-up over several years

Solution

High-pressure water jetting cleared the grease blockage; full line CCTV check confirmed no further issues

Resolved in45 minutes

Satisfaction

10/10

Grease blockage cleared, full drain line checked and given the all-clear

Claire B.

Byron Bay

June 2026

Verified

Stormwater drain cleared before the wet season

“Had a stormwater drain that had been partially blocked for years. Terry water-jetted the whole run and used the camera to find a collapsed section we didn't know about. He repaired it on the spot. Great to have it sorted before the summer rains.”

Problem

Partially blocked stormwater drain with a hidden collapsed section causing slow drainage

Solution

Full water jetting of the stormwater run, CCTV found collapsed section which was excavated and repaired same day

Resolved in3 hours

Satisfaction

9/10

Stormwater drain cleared and collapsed section repaired

Paul & Di M.

Bangalow

July 2026

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