Blocked Drain Solutions: DIY or Professional - Which Works Best?

No one likes a blocked drain. They’re inconvenient, off-putting, and sometimes, a sign that more serious issues are on the way. All it takes is a Google search, and you’ll quickly find an avalanche of advice, with each source claiming one option works better than the rest.

So, is there really a ‘best’ way to clear blocked drains? Are DIY options effective or should you call in the pros? Let’s take a look.

The Professional Solution: What Plumbers Can Do That DIY Can’t

While DIY methods may help with surface-level issues, drain blockage specialists provide a service that goes well beyond plungers and boiling water. A licensed plumber has the equipment, training, and ability to identify the true cause of the blockage and fix it properly.

Here’s how professional drain clearing works. Please note that the method used will be based on the cause and severity of the blockage.

CCTV Drain Camera Inspection

This is a noninvasive method where a CCTV camera is fed into the drainage system to assess:

• > The exact location of the blockage
• > Whether the pipe is damaged, cracked, or collapsed
• > The type of debris inside
• > The presence of tree root infiltration
• > Any misaligned joints or sagging sections

This step removes any guesswork around the underlying cause, while also ensuring that the right solution is used.

High-Pressure Jetting

This is one of the most effective and common methods used by plumbers. Jet blasting uses high-pressure water to cut through:

• > Grease
• > Fat deposits
• > Food waste
• > Tree roots (in early stages)
• > Sludge
• > Mineral buildup
• > Wipes and sanitary items

This approach both clears the blockage and scours the pipe interior, a technique designed to reduce the chance of future blockages. DIY solutions can’t replicate this level of cleaning.

Drain Snakes

A drain snake uses a rotating cable to break through tougher blockages like roots or solid obstructions.

This is far more powerful than anything available for home use and can restore flow in situations where plungers and home snakes fail instantly.

Pipe Relining or Repairs

If CCTV shows that the pipe is damaged, relining may be needed. Pipe relining:

• > Restores strength
• > Creates a smooth new internal layer
• > Seals cracks
• > Prevents future root entry
• > Extends the life of the pipe

DIY cannot repair pipe damage, and only a professional can restore the system safely.

DIY Drain Clearing: What Works and What Doesn’t

Many blocked drains appear manageable, and in some cases, simple DIY tricks will be able to temporarily restore flow. But just because something works once doesn’t mean the problem is completely solved.

Here’s what actually works, and what you should be cautious about.

Plunging

A plunger is often the first tool people reach for, and for minor blockages, it can be surprisingly effective. It generally works best when:

• > The blockage is close to the drain opening
• > There’s enough water to form a seal
• > The blockage is caused by hair or soft debris

Plunging is based on a principle of suction and pressure, but if you find yourself plunging the same drain repeatedly, it’s definitely a sign that the clog is deeper or more serious.

Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water into drains is a time-honoured approach that aims to loosen grease and soap buildup. Although it’s relatively simple, it’s worth applying it sparingly. This is because repeated use of boiling water can actually soften or damage PVC pipework.

Essentially, this method only works for mild grease-based blockages. Anything more stubborn will most likely need mechanical cleaning.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Here’s another popular DIY method, where baking soda and vinegar react to create a natural fizz that sometimes helps to clear sludge or foul odours. It’s gentle on pipes and good for maintenance, but it won’t shift solid build-ups, wipes, roots, or hard obstructions.

Manual Drain Snakes

A drain auger or ‘manual snake’ can be a viable way of pulling out hair or soft debris in bathroom drains. It’s more effective than chemical cleaners and tends to reach down deeper into the pipe.

However, keep its best to keep in mind that:

• > It cannot cut through tree roots
• > It cannot repair or bypass damaged pipes
• > It is often too short to reach deeper blockages

Please note** Most DIY snakes are designed for small pipework only.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical cleaners might seem like a quick fix, but did you know they might actually be doing more harm than good? The reason why is that they can soften PVC, corrode old metal pipes, damage seals, and create toxic fumes. Even worse, they rarely work on the types of blockages that actually matter (like grease buildup, wipes, or expanding tree roots)..

Many plumbers advise avoiding them altogether.

When DIY Stops Working

There’s a point where your average DIY tricks and techniques won’t solve the issue, no matter how many plunges, how many bowls of boiling water, or vinegar reactions you try.

Here are the real red flags that let you know it’s time to call in a licensed plumber:

• > The blockage keeps coming back
• > Multiple drains are running slow
• > The toilet makes gurgling noises
• > Water rises in one drain when another is used
• > You smell sewage or foul odours
• > Wastewater is overflowing outside
• > You’ve tried everything and nothing has improved

Any repeated blockages are almost always an indication of a deeper obstruction, damaged pipes, or roots; the kind of issues that require professional inspection and equipment.

DIY or Professional: What’s the Best Overall Approach?

DIY generally works great for those smaller and more minor inconveniences. Reaching out to professional drain blockage specialists, however, is essential if you really want to get to the bottom of the issue and resolve it for good. This way, you’ll avoid repeated blockages, and get long-term peace of mind.

Here are some quick guidelines:

DIY is best for:

• > Hair clogs near the drain opening
• > Early-stage grease build-ups
• > Mild slow-draining sinks or showers
• > Maintenance and prevention

Professional help is best for:

• > Repeated or recurring blockages
• > Tree roots
• > Unknown or deep blockages
• > Multiple drains blocking at once
• > Sewage smells or gurgling
• > Outdoor drain overflow
• > Any blockage involving structural pipe issues

What’s Actually Causing Your Blocked Drain?

Sometimes the blockage is caused by everyday habits. Other times, it’s due to external factors well beyond your control. Either way, it never hurts to expand your knowledge of the underlying causes.

A lot of people assume a blockage is nothing more than a simple build-up of soap or hair. While this can be true, the real cause tends to vary significantly depending on the drain, the home’s age, and the condition of the pipework.

Here are the most common causes found in blocked toilets, sinks, showers, and outdoor drains:

Hair, Soap Scum, and Bathroom Debris

Bathrooms are the number-one hotspot for hair-related blockages. Hair binds with soap residue and shampoo, forming sticky clumps that latch onto the inside of your pipes. Over time, this slows drainage until the pipe is almost fully blocked.

Wet Wipes and Sanitary Items

This is one of the most preventable and most damaging causes. Wet wipes, nappies, and sanitary products do not break down in water. Once flushed, they get stuck, collect more debris, and create a solid mass that no amount of plunging can fix.

Fat, Oil, and Grease Build-Ups

In kitchen sinks, grease is the most common offender. It’s liquid when hot but quickly hardens inside your pipes, forming a stubborn blockage that catches food scraps, coffee grounds, rice, flour, and anything else that shouldn’t be washed down the sink.

Tree Roots Inside the Pipes

Tree roots are incredibly common in older homes or properties with clay or porous pipes. Roots search for moisture and enter the tiniest cracks in the line. Once inside, they grow, expand, and eventually obstruct the drain entirely. No DIY method can solve this one.

Damaged or Collapsed Pipes

Pipes can shift, crack, or collapse due to soil movement, age, or poor installation. When this happens, debris builds up in the damaged section and causes recurring blockages. You can plunge all you want — the problem will return until the pipe is repaired.

Foreign Objects and Everyday Waste

From lost toys and cotton buds to excess shampoo, coffee grounds, and even chewing gum thrown down a sink — drains catch more than you’d expect. These items settle in pipe bends and trap other debris, leading to a blockage that worsens over time.

Understanding the cause is key because it determines whether DIY will work, or whether you’ll ultimately need professional equipment to clear the blockage properly.

Final Verdict: DIY or Professional?

DIY methods can absolutely help with smaller, surface-level blockages — but they all have limits. If the problem is deeper, recurring, or linked to structural issues like roots or broken pipes, only professional equipment can fully resolve the issue.

A licensed plumber can:

• > Identify the root cause
• > Use specialised tools to clear the line thoroughly
• > Prevent repeated blockages
• > Repair or reline damaged pipes
• > Ensure your drainage system is actually healthy

DIY clears the symptom. Professionals fix the problem.

Need Help With Blocked Drains?

When you’re grappling with blocked drains in Bundaberg, Bendigo, Hervey Bay, or somewhere else, we’re just the team to call. From simple blockages to full blown tree root intrusion, our licensed plumbers will get down to the bottom of the issue and resolve it for you in no time! And when it’s urgent, we make it our number one priority to get there asap!

We have drain blocked specialists operating across Australia, and our services are backed by:

100% Money Back Guarantee

Guaranteed Speed

Locally Owned & Operated

24hr Immediate Response

If your drains are overflowing, gurgling, smelly, or backing up, and you’re wondering who you gunna call, we’ve got you sorted!