If your blocked sewer keeps coming back after it’s been cleared, the pipe itself is usually the problem. Cracks, tree roots, sunken joints or old clay pipe let the blockage rebuild. A CCTV drain camera inspection shows the cause, and a sewer renewal (pipe relining or replacement) fixes it for good.
You had the plumber out. The toilet flushed again. Then, a few weeks or months later, the gully in the yard is bubbling and the shower is slow. Again.
A blocked sewer that keeps returning is one of the most common calls we get across Sydney. In more than 20 years of plumbing, our team has learnt that a repeat blockage is rarely bad luck. It’s a sign the pipe needs more than a clean.
This guide explains why sewer blockages come back, how to tell when clearing is no longer enough, and what a sewer renewal involves.
Sewer backing up right now? Call Jetstar Plumbing on 02 9073 4415. We’re available 24/7, with a free call-out fee.
Why a Blocked Sewer Keeps Coming Back
Clearing a sewer removes what’s in the pipe. It doesn’t fix the pipe. If the line is damaged, new waste catches on the same weak spot and the blockage builds up again.
The most common causes of a repeat sewer blockage
- Tree root intrusion. Roots find their way in through cracks and joints in older pipes. Cutting them out works for a while, but they grow back through the same gap.
- Cracked or broken sewer pipe. A broken sewer pipe has rough edges and gaps where toilet paper, wipes and grease snag.
- Sunken or offset joints. When the ground moves, pipe sections shift. The lip at the joint traps waste.
- Old clay (terracotta) pipes. Many older Sydney homes still have clay sewer lines. The joints in these pipes are a common entry point for roots.
- Belly in the line. A section of pipe that has dropped holds water and waste instead of letting it flow.
Sydney Water’s own guide to incorrect private plumbing connections shows roots getting into pipes through cracks and joints. It’s one of the most common faults on private sewer lines.
Signs Your Sewer Pipe Needs Repair, Not Just Clearing
A one-off blockage from a dropped toy or a wad of wipes is a clearing job. These signs point to a damaged pipe:
- The same drain has blocked two or more times in a year
- The gully trap overflows when you flush a toilet or run the washing machine
- Gurgling from toilets or basins, even after a clean
- Sewage smells in the yard that don’t go away
- Soggy, sunken or extra-green patches of lawn along the pipe line
- Roots were found the last time the drain was cleared
If two or more of these sound familiar, book a CCTV drain inspection before paying for another clean.
Tired of the same blockage? Book a CCTV drain inspection with Jetstar or call 02 9073 4415.
How a CCTV Drain Inspection Finds the Real Problem
A CCTV drain camera inspection is the step that turns guesswork into a clear answer.
We feed a waterproof camera on a flexible cable into your sewer line, usually through the inspection opening or gully. It records the inside of the pipe on a screen. You can see exactly what we see:
- Where roots are getting in
- Cracks, breaks and collapsed sections
- Sunken or offset joints
- How far along the pipe the damage sits
The camera also helps us locate the fault from above ground. That matters when deciding between pipe relining and digging.
Before the camera goes in, the line usually needs clearing with hydro-jetting (high-pressure water) so the pipe walls are visible.
Sewer Renewal Options: Clear, Reline or Replace
Once the camera shows what’s wrong, there are three main ways to deal with it.
| Clear only (hydro-jetting / cutting) | Pipe relining (no-dig) | Dig and replace | |
| What it does | Removes the blockage | Seals a new pipe inside the old one | Removes the old pipe and lays new PVC |
| Fixes the cause? | No | Yes, for cracks, roots and leaking joints | Yes, including collapsed pipes |
| Digging needed | No | Little to none | Yes, along the damaged section |
| Disruption | Low | Low | Higher (lawns, paths, driveways) |
| Best for | One-off blockages | Damaged pipe that still holds its shape | Collapsed, badly sunken or misaligned pipe |
| Will it come back? | Likely, if the pipe is damaged | Unlikely, once the pipe is sealed | Unlikely, once the new pipe is laid |
Pipe relining (no-dig sewer repair)
Sewer relining places a resin-soaked liner inside the existing pipe. It’s pushed into place and left to cure, forming a new, smooth pipe inside the old one. Cracks and joints are sealed, so roots can’t get back in.
It suits pipes that are cracked or root-damaged but still hold their shape. It’s often the right choice when the pipe runs under a driveway, tiled area or established garden.
Dig and replace
If a section has collapsed or dropped badly, a liner can’t be fitted properly. In that case, the damaged section is dug up and replaced with modern PVC pipe. Some NSW councils, such as Waverley Council, suggest owners with repeat blockages look at upgrading private sewer lines to PVC.
Comparing the two in detail? Read our guide to sewer pipe relining vs dig and replace.
Who Is Responsible for a Blocked Sewer in Sydney?
This trips up a lot of homeowners. According to Sydney Water, property owners own all wastewater pipes and fittings up to where they connect to Sydney Water’s system, including the point of connection.
In plain terms:
- Your pipes, on your property: your responsibility. Call a licensed plumber.
- Sydney Water’s main: their responsibility. If sewage is overflowing from a maintenance hole on the street or footpath, report it to Sydney Water on 13 20 90.
Sydney Water also notes that the owner is responsible for clearing tree roots that enter the junction at the point of connection. That’s why root problems near the boundary often land with the homeowner.
What Affects the Cost of a Sewer Renewal
Every job is different, so we don’t quote sight unseen. These are the things that move the price:
| Factor | Why it matters |
| Length of damaged pipe | More metres means more liner or more digging |
| Pipe diameter | Larger pipes need larger liners and more material |
| Access | Easy access through an inspection opening keeps costs down |
| Depth and location | Deep pipes or pipes under concrete cost more to dig |
| Number of junctions | Each branch line joining the main pipe needs extra work |
| Condition of the pipe | Collapsed sections may need digging, not relining |
| Restoration | Re-laying pavers, concrete or turf after digging adds cost |
After a CCTV inspection, we explain the footage and talk you through the options and the price before any work starts.
As a 2026 estimate, most residential pipe relining jobs in Sydney fall between about $3,000 and $15,000. See the full price breakdown in our guide to sewer pipe relining vs dig-and-replace.
The Jetstar Plumbing Process – Step by Step
- Call or book online. Ring 02 9073 4415 or book online. Our call-out fee is free.
- Clear the blockage. We get your sewer flowing again first, usually with hydro-jetting.
- CCTV drain inspection. We run a camera through the line to find the cause.
- Show you the footage. You see the problem for yourself, with a plain-English explanation.
- Recommend the right fix. Clearing, relining or replacing, depending on what the camera shows.
- Renew the pipe. Our licensed team completes the relining or replacement.
- Final camera check. We run the camera again so you can see the finished result.
Common Mistakes That Make Sewer Problems Worse
- Paying for clean after clean. Each clean costs money and the blockage keeps returning.
- Pouring chemical drain cleaners into the sewer. They rarely clear a root or pipe-damage blockage and can be hazardous to handle.
- Flushing “flushable” wipes. Many don’t break down like toilet paper. Sydney Water lists wipes as a common cause of wastewater blockages.
- Ignoring early warning signs. Gurgling and slow drains are the warning before an overflow.
- Using unlicensed operators. Drainage work in NSW must be done by a licensed plumber or drainer. You can check a licence on NSW Fair Trading.
For what to do if sewage has already spilled, see our guide to what causes sewer overflows in Sydney homes.
Why Sydney Homeowners Call Jetstar Plumbing
- 20+ years serving homes and businesses across Sydney
- Fully licensed, bonded and insured (Licence 166837C)
- 24/7 emergency plumbing, 7 days a week
- Free call-out fee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Trusted by leading real estate agencies, including Belle Property, LJ Hooker and Stone, through our property maintenance program
We work Sydney-wide, from the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs to the Hills District, Sutherland Shire and Western Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my sewer keep getting blocked?
The most common reasons are tree roots, cracked pipes, sunken joints and old clay sewer lines. Clearing removes the blockage, but the damaged pipe catches waste again. A CCTV inspection shows which one you have.
How do I know if my sewer pipe is broken?
Repeat blockages, a gully that overflows when you flush, sewage smells outside and soggy or sunken lawn along the pipe are common signs. A CCTV drain camera inspection confirms it.
Is pipe relining as good as replacing the pipe?
For pipes that are cracked or root-damaged but still hold their shape, relining seals the pipe from the inside without digging. If the pipe has collapsed or sunk badly, digging and replacing is usually the better fix.
Who pays to fix a blocked sewer in Sydney?
Property owners are responsible for their private sewer pipes up to and including the point of connection to Sydney Water’s system. Sydney Water looks after its own mains.
Can I clear a blocked sewer myself?
You can stop using the drains and call for help. Clearing a sewer line, especially one with roots or damage, needs proper equipment and a licensed plumber. Don’t try to open or clean up sewage spills yourself.
How long does a sewer relining job take?
It depends on the length of pipe, the number of junctions and how easy the pipe is to reach. We’ll give you a timeframe after the CCTV inspection, before any work starts.
Will a sewer renewal stop tree roots coming back?
Once a pipe is relined or replaced, the cracks and joints roots used to get in are sealed or removed. That’s why renewal is a long-term fix rather than a temporary clean.
Get Your Blocked Sewer Fixed for Good
If the same blockage keeps coming back, it’s time to find out why. Jetstar Plumbing will clear the line, show you the camera footage and give you honest options to fix it properly.
Call 02 9073 4415 or book online. 24/7 emergency plumbing, free call-out fee, Sydney-wide.
