Blocked drains & drain cleaning
Blocked drain?
Call Ross.
Blocked sink, toilet, sewer or stormwater drain? Tell Ross what's happening. He can clear the blockage, investigate recurring problems and explain any repair options.
Serving Shoalhaven & Illawarra areas — Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Nowra. See the exact area list below.
NSW Plumbing Licence 262955C
Callback request
Request a callback
Reviews from Google
What local customers say
- 5 months ago
We recently had two bathrooms renovated by Ross Barber Plumbing and couldn’t be happier with the result. Ross was professional, reliable, and easy to deal with from start to finish. His workmanship and attention to detail were outstanding, and both bathrooms turned out even better than we expected.
- 4 months ago
Ross Barber has, over the past seven years, undertaken several maintenance and installation jobs at our Gerringong property. At all times, we have found Ross to be experienced, extremely knowledgeable and competent, as well as punctual and communicative at all times. Recently, our hot water system failed due to a manufacturing fault. Even though it was just out of warranty, Ross went above and beyond in chasing up the manufacturer and installing a new heater. We highly and unreservedly recommend Ross for all your plumbing jobs! Many thanks, Ross. Roy and Julie Brooks
- 4 months ago
Ross Barber Plumbing. Wow, a plumber that actually returns phone calls. Fantastic! Ross responded immediately to my call and had my hot water system back up and running promptly. Highly recommend.
- 4 months ago
We recently had a blocked sewer emergency in Kiama and called Ross Barber Plumbing. From the first phone call through to completing the job, Ross was professional, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable. What really impressed me was the level of equipment he brought to the job. He used a sewer inspection camera to accurately identify the problem and a professional high-pressure drain jetter to thoroughly clear the blockage rather than just providing a temporary fix. It gave us confidence that the issue had been properly diagnosed and resolved. If you’re looking for a plumber for blocked drains, sewer blockages, drain cleaning, CCTV drain inspections, or emergency plumbing work, I highly recommend Ross. His pricing was fair and affordable, which is important because drain issues can be stressful and expensive if not handled correctly. Ross was transparent throughout the process, explained everything clearly, and never tried to upsell unnecessary work. It’s refreshing to find an honest local plumber who genuinely cares about helping his customers. We wouldn’t hesitate to use Ross Barber Plumbing again and would happily recommend him to anyone needing blocked drain or sewer repairs.
- 5 months ago
Been using Ross for years now, always reliable, honest and does a great job. Easy to deal with and turns up when he says he will. Definitely recommend
What's blocked?
Blocked sinks, toilets and drains
Tell us where water is backing up or draining slowly. Ross will help work out what the drain needs.
Kitchen sink
Slow draining, gurgling or water sitting in the sink. Grease and food build-up are common causes.
Bathroom & shower
Water pooling in the shower or a slow bathroom drain. Hair and soap build-up are common causes.
Toilet
A toilet that won't flush properly, drains slowly or backs up when you use it.
Laundry
A laundry drain or washing-machine outlet that drains slowly or overflows.
Outside & stormwater
Water pooling in the yard or stormwater lines that are not draining after rain.
Sewer line
Several drains backing up, unusual gurgling or wastewater coming back through a drain.
Clearing, diagnosis & repair
Clear the blockage. Find the cause. Fix the drain.
Some drains only need clearing. Recurring blockages may need a camera inspection, while damaged pipes may need repair. Ross will assess what's happening and explain the options.
1. Clear the blockage
Depending on the drain, clearing may involve high-pressure water jetting, mechanical cleaning or manual work. The aim is to remove the blockage and get water moving again.
2. Find the cause
If the drain keeps blocking, a CCTV camera inspection can check for roots, cracks, scale or a sagging pipe. Drain locating can also pinpoint the problem before repair work starts.
3. Repair the drain
If the pipe is broken, collapsed, root-damaged or badly sagged, clearing alone may not last. Ross can explain the repair or replacement options and what each involves.
Blocked-drain work
What happens next
What happens when you call Ross
Step 1
Tell Ross what's blocked
Call 0435 125 750 or request a callback. Tell Ross what is happening and which suburb you are in.
Step 2
Talk through the problem
Ross will ask a few practical questions and explain the likely next step for your drain.
Step 3
Assess the drain
On site, Ross will assess the drain and explain whether it needs clearing, further investigation or repair.
Step 4
Choose the next step
You will know what Ross found and what the available options are before deciding how to proceed.
Where we work
Shoalhaven & Illawarra areas
We take on blocked drain and drainage work across the areas below. If your address isn't listed or you're just outside one of them, call us on 0435 125 750 — we'd rather tell you straight whether we can help.
Common questions
Straight answers about blocked drains
What usually causes a blocked drain?
It depends on the drain. Kitchen sinks block with grease and food build-up. Bathrooms and laundries collect hair, soap scum and lint. Older properties in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra often have clay or terra cotta lines that tree roots can grow into, which shows up as sewer or external blockages.
Do I need a drain inspection (CCTV camera)?
Not every blockage needs one. If a drain has blocked more than once, or the problem is in a sewer or stormwater line, a camera inspection can show roots, cracks, scale or a sagging pipe.
How are blocked drains cleared?
The method depends on the blockage and the pipe. Ross may use high-pressure water jetting, mechanical cleaning or manual clearing, then explain whether the drain needs a closer inspection.
What if the drain keeps blocking?
A recurring blockage can point to roots, damage, scale or a sagging pipe. A camera inspection can help find the cause before Ross explains the repair options.
Which areas do you cover for blocked drains?
We serve the Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas listed on this page. If your address isn't listed or you're just outside one of them, call us on 0435 125 750 — we'd rather tell you straight whether we can help.
Ready when you are
Tell Ross what's blocked
Call Ross on 0435 125 750 or request a callback. Tell him what is happening and which suburb you are in.