Why Your Drains Keep Blocking (and How to Stop It)

If you’re plunging the same drain every few weeks, the problem isn’t bad luck — it’s a sign of something further down the line. Clearing the symptom over and over just postpones the real fix.

The usual causes

• Tree roots. The number one cause of recurring blockages in older Melbourne homes. Roots find tiny cracks in clay pipes and grow inside, catching everything that flows past.
• Fat, oil and grease. Poured down the kitchen sink, these cool and harden into a blockage that builds up over time and traps food scraps.
• The wrong things flushed. Wet wipes (even “flushable” ones), cotton products and paper towel don’t break down like toilet paper and snag in the line.
• Pipe damage or sagging. A cracked, collapsed or sagging section of pipe creates a low point where waste collects and blocks repeatedly.

Why clearing it isn’t enough

A plunger or a supermarket drain cleaner might shift the immediate blockage, but if roots or a damaged pipe are the cause, it’ll be back. That’s the frustrating cycle a lot of homeowners get stuck in.

The fix that actually lasts

The way to break the cycle is to find out what’s really going on:

• A CCTV drain camera shows the exact cause and location — roots, a crack, a sag, or a build-up.
• High-pressure water jetting scours the pipe clean, cutting through roots and grease far more thoroughly than a plunger or snake.
• Targeted repair of any damaged section stops the problem returning.

It costs a little more than another quick clear, but it’s the option that actually solves the problem instead of renting you a few weeks before the next blockage.