When a plumber arrives to clear a blocked drain, the method they use makes a real difference to how well the blockage is cleared, how long the result lasts, and what it costs. The three most common drain clearing methods used by Sydney plumbers are hydro-jetting (jet blasting), electric eels, and manual drain rods. Each has its place — but they aren’t equally effective for every type of blockage.
Below: how each method works, when it should be used, and how to know which one is right for your situation.
Three clearing methods, three different mechanisms. Here’s how each one works inside your pipes.
Method 1 of 3 — Our Preferred Method
1
Hydro-jetting uses a high-pressure water stream — at pressures up to 5,300 PSI — delivered through a specialised hose and nozzle inserted into the drain pipe. The nozzle propels itself along the length of the pipe, blasting through blockages and flushing the entire pipe interior clean.
The high-pressure water cuts through tree roots, strips solidified grease from pipe walls, and flushes leaves, sediment, and debris out of the system. Different nozzle types are used depending on the blockage — root cutting nozzles for tree roots, forward-firing nozzles for compacted blockages, and flushing nozzles for general cleaning.
Modern hydro-jetting equipment can reach over 100 metres into a drainage system and handle pipe diameters from 40mm to 225mm — covering everything from small internal drains to large sewer and stormwater mains.
Method 2 of 3 — Traditional Alternative
2
An electric eel — also called a drain snake — is a mechanical device that feeds a rotating metal cable with a cutting head down the drain pipe. The cutting head spins as it travels through the pipe, cutting through tree roots and breaking apart compacted blockages.
Electric eels have been a standard plumbing tool for decades. They’re effective at punching through blockages and creating a clear channel for water to flow. However, the cutting head only clears a channel the size of the cutting head itself — it doesn’t clean the full diameter of the pipe or remove build-up from the pipe walls.
Method 3 of 3 — Manual Clearing
3
Drain rods are manual tools — lengths of flexible rod connected end-to-end and pushed into the drain to dislodge blockages through physical force. They’re often used as a first-response tool for straightforward blockages in accessible drain runs.
Drain rods are effective for shifting localised blockages caused by debris, compacted waste, and minor root intrusions in accessible pipes. They’re the simplest and most affordable clearing method, but they rely on the plumber’s physical force and reach — making them impractical for deep blockages, long pipe runs, or hard compacted obstructions.
A quick-reference verdict on the four factors that matter most. Detailed explanations below.
Factor | Hydro-Jetting | Electric Eel | Drain Rods |
|---|---|---|---|
Effectiveness | Cleans full pipe interior | Clears central channel only | Surface blockages only |
Longevity of Result | Longest interval before re-block | Re-blocks faster (walls remain coated) | Short-term fix |
Pipe Safety | Safe with experienced operator | Slight risk on fragile pipes | Lowest risk |
Reach & Pipe Size | 100m+ reach · 40–225mm pipes | Moderate reach · smaller pipes | Limited to accessible runs |
Upfront Cost | Higher (lower long-term) | Mid-range | Most affordable |
Hydro-jetting is the most thorough clearing method available. Because the high-pressure water cleans the entire internal circumference of the pipe — not just a central channel — it removes grease, scale, roots, and debris from the pipe walls. A drain cleaned by a high-pressure jet blaster with a root cutting turbine is left significantly cleaner than one cleared using an electric eel alone. The result is a pipe restored to close to its original internal diameter, which means it takes longer for build-up to reach a critical level again.
Electric eels clear a channel through the blockage, but the build-up on the pipe walls remains. For grease blockages, this means the narrowed pipe re-blocks faster because the grease coating is still in place. For root blockages, the eel cuts through the root mass but doesn’t remove the smaller root fibres clinging to the pipe wall.
Drain rods are effective for surface-level blockages but can’t match the reach, power, or thoroughness of hydro-jetting or electric eels.
Because hydro-jetting cleans the full pipe interior, the results last significantly longer than electric eel or drain rod clearing. For recurring blockages caused by grease, roots, or sediment, hydro-jetting provides the longest interval between re-blockages.
Electric eel clearing provides a shorter-lasting result because the pipe walls remain coated. For tree root blockages, roots typically regrow to a blocking level within 6 to 12 months after eel clearing, whereas hydro-jetting with root cutting can extend that interval.
All three methods are safe for modern PVC and HDPE pipes when operated by a trained plumber. For older clay, earthenware, and cast iron pipes — common across Sydney’s older suburbs — hydro-jetting requires an experienced operator who can adjust pressure to suit the pipe condition. In the hands of a qualified plumber, hydro-jetting is safe for all pipe types.
Electric eels carry a slightly higher risk of pipe damage in fragile or severely deteriorated pipes, as the rotating metal cable can catch on displaced joints or cracks. Drain rods are the lowest risk option but also the least effective for anything beyond simple blockages.
Hydro-jetting generally costs more than electric eel or drain rod clearing because the equipment is more expensive to operate and the clearing is more thorough. However, because the results last significantly longer, the total cost over time is often lower than repeated electric eel clearing.
For a detailed breakdown of blocked drain costs in Sydney, including pricing for different clearing methods, read our comprehensive blocked drain pricing guide.
The right method depends on the blockage. Here’s when each one is the right call.
Recommended
💧
✓Tree root blockages in sewer and stormwater pipes
✓Heavy grease and fat accumulation in kitchen drains
✓Sediment and debris in long pipe runs
✓Recurring blockages where previous clearing hasn’t lasted
✓Pre-purchase drain inspections requiring full CCTV assessment
✓Commercial properties with high-volume drainage systems
Traditional
⚙
✓Straightforward blockages caused by foreign objects
✓Compacted waste or moderate root intrusions
✓Smaller diameter pipes
✓Short, accessible drain runs where the blockage is localised
Basic
🪓
✓Simple, shallow blockages in accessible drains
✓Blocked gully traps
✓Minor toilet blockages
✓Surface-level debris in outdoor drains
How We Choose On Site
At Proximity Plumbing, our service vehicles carry all three types of clearing equipment. Your plumber assesses the blockage using CCTV and selects the most appropriate method — or combination of methods — for your specific situation. You aren’t charged for equipment you don’t need.
For most blocked drains in Sydney — particularly sewer and stormwater blockages involving tree roots, grease, or recurring issues — hydro-jetting is the superior method. It clears more thoroughly, lasts longer, and restores the pipe to close to its original condition. Electric eels and drain rods still have their place for simpler blockages, but they aren’t a substitute for hydro-jetting when thoroughness and longevity matter.
If your drain keeps blocking despite previous clearing, it’s likely because the pipe walls weren’t fully cleaned — or because there’s underlying pipe damage that needs addressing. A CCTV drain inspection will reveal the cause, and your plumber can recommend the most effective clearing method and whether pipe relining is needed for a permanent solution.
We’ll diagnose the blockage with CCTV, recommend the right clearing method, and tell you exactly what it’ll take to stop it coming back — with no call-out fee for our time.
✓ $0 Call-Out Fee
✓ Transparent Flat-Rate Pricing
✓ No Overtime Fees
✓ All 3 Clearing Methods
✓ CCTV Diagnosis Included
✓ 2,100+ 5-Star Reviews
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Not sure where to start? Just give us a call and we’ll guide you through your options step by step. Our team will explain everything clearly, offer expert advice, and if it suits you, we can send someone out today.
