Signs of a blocked drain may include:

- unpleasant odours
- gurgling noises
- sinks, basins, or tubs are slow to empty
- toilet is slow to clear or backing up when flushed
- sinks, basins, or tubs back up when the toilet is flushed
- water pooling in your shower
- damp patches in your yard
- a sunken area in your yard

For kitchen and bathroom drains you can try this simple method: pour a litre or so of boiling water into the drain, follow this with one cup of baking soda, another cup of boiling water, and a cup of white vinegar. Plug the drain and wait 15 minutes or so for the vinegar and baking soda to react. Flush the drain with another pot of boiling water. Please remember to wear protective eye wear and rubber gloves while attempting to unclog your kitchen or bathroom drain.

If this doesn't unclog your drain or, if your drain soon blocks again, it may indicate a more severe problem. In this case, call Free Flo. Our expert drainage plumbers will quickly identify the issue and recommend the most appropriate solution.

Free Flo do not recommend the use of chemical drain cleaners. Many such chemicals are highly toxic and may cause skin and eye irritations, most are harmful to the environment and may even lead to further damage to your pipes.

If a simple solution of baking powder and vinegar doesn't resolve the issue then you most likely need a licensed drain plumber, such as Free Flo Drains.

Toilet blockages are one of the most common household drain blockages. A few moderate pumps with a bellows plunger may be enough to remove an obstruction.

However, Free Flo generally do not recommend attempting to unclog a toilet DIY style as the potential for further damage to the toilet and sewer pipes is quite high and may have unsanitary results.

The causes of clogged household drains are many and varied. Among the most common causes of drain blockages are: oils and grease, food scraps, hair, animal fur, soap, small objects such as coins or toys, and flushing items other than toilet paper.

Sewerage systems, storm water and drainage pipes may also be blocked by tree roots, dirt, leaves and other organic materials and general debris.

Free Flo use the latest CCTV drain cameras to quickly locate and accurately diagnose drain blockages.

Depending on the nature and location of the blockage and general condition of the pipes, the cost to unblock and repair a drain or sewer can vary enormously. After an initial inspection, we will provide you with a fixed price quote to complete the work. Rest assured, we always strive to provide the most efficient and cost effective method to solve your drainage issues.

In most cases the responsibility for payment belongs to the property owner. Any pipes and fittings on the side of the connection point, including boundary traps and inspection shafts are the owner's responsibility. If you are in a rental property you should first contact your real estate agent.

The drain camera provides a video inspection of the inside of the pipes. A CCTV camera, attached to a flexible line is inserted into your plumbing system. It allows a suitably experienced and skilled plumber to view the interior of the pipe on a monitor and to determine the most appropriate course of action to repair any issues.

The camera can show the precise location and nature of any blockages and, the condition of the pipes, including cracks, broken or collapsed sections of pipe, leaky joints, shifted pipes, corrosion and any other damage.

Some of the most likely causes of damage to your drains and sewers:

- Tree root incursion. Seeking moisture, tree roots can force their way into your pipes through joints and small cracks in the pipe wall.

- Blockages. A pipe blockage can cause a build up of pressure inside the pipe leading to cracks in the pipe.

- Shifting soil conditions may occur through nearby construction work or seismic activity.

- Old age, rust, and corrosion

- Freezing pipes. This is not a particularly common problem in Melbourne's northern and eastern suburbs but can occur occasionally.

- Poor initial installation.

Free Flo Drains are experts in relining damaged drainage pipes.

The first step is to locate and identify the blockage and any pipe damage. Once the blockage has been cleared and the interior of the pipe cleaned we begin the relining process to repair the drainage pipe.

A special resinous solution is inserted into the pipe which moulds itself to the shape of the pipe and sets. In many cases the pipe can be repaired to a fully functional state, actually stronger than the original pipe. Pipe relining can save considerable time, cost and mess as little or no excavation work is required.

In some instances, such as severely damaged or misaligned pipes, trenchless pipe relining may not be viable. In these cases the only solution will be to replace the pipes. Free Flo Drains have excavation equipment to tackle any job from a small suburban backyard to a major commercial drainage system.

Free Flo Drains can repair or replace any damaged pipe. Some older properties may have terracotta, ceramic, cast iron, earthenware, clay, or galvanised pipes. We will find the most practical and cost effective solution to repair or replace your old plumbing and return it to a fully functional and trouble free condition.

Absolutely. We can schedule non-urgent plumbing work at a time that best suits you. If you have a plumbing emergency call 0416 11 59 69 now; we are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for emergency plumbing throughout Melbourne's northeast suburbs.

Of course. Simply book a time and we will provide a thorough inspection and report of the condition of the property's drains, sewers and pipes.

Yes. In the event of a plumbing emergency anywhere in Melbourne's northeast suburbs call anytime, 24/7.