A blocked drain and toilet are two of the most common yet challenging household concerns. These problems can quickly flood your home or garden with water or raw sewage. Drainage pipes can be damaged or blocked by various causes, including tree roots or toilet paper.
If you find yourself in one of these situations, the first thing to do is to call the drain repair services. Not everyone can unblock a clogged drain. Aside from having the right equipment, you must have the technical know-how to avoid aggravatinsg the problem.
Who can unblock the drain?
The right person for the job is a licensed drainer or plumber. In some countries and states, drainage belongs to a different license class that requires a different set of training.
According to the NSW Fair Trading, draining work is defined as the sanitary drainage work that includes ventilation, renewal, repair, maintenance, removal, disconnection, extension, alteration, construction, and cleaning or flushing of a sanitary drain that is indirectly or directly connected to a sewer.
This means that work on house drains that are connected to a specific onsite wastewater filtration system will be the responsibility of a professional drainer. This also means that only a licensed drainer or plumber can legally carry out any drainage work in your home. Sydney plumbers are licensed in eight different classes, including drainage.
When hiring a drainer or plumber for the job, ask them these questions:
- Do you hve a license for this kind of work?
- Are you insured?
- Can you provide some references?
- Can you also provide a quote for your services?
How much does it cost to hire a drainer or plumber?
Some plumbers charge their clients a certain fee to cover the transportation cost of a house visit. This fee is called a “call-out fee” and it is usually paid on top of their standard hourly rate.
When looking for drain repair services in Sydney, you can expect these contractors to charge somewhere between $60 and $100 for their call-out fee. Their hourly rate also varies depending on the location but can be within the $100 to $150 range.
If you’re asking a plumber or drainer to work on weekends or after regular office hours, expect to pay an additional emergency call-out fee. Again, the cost varies, with some contractors charging their clients with their standard hourly rates. Others charge more for call-outs done at odd hours.
Aside from the area where you live, the skill level of your drainer or plumber can also dictate their hourly rate. A Master Drainer or Plumber, for instance, is more likely to charge higher for their services. Some plumbers have fixed rates for standard services like water system installation and drain unblocking.
This will show you how much these contractors usually charge:
- $90 to $130 to unclog the kitchen or toilet drain
- $300 to $500 for clearing a short stretch of your clogged drain
- $1,100 to $3,000 for replacing a specific part of your drainage piping system
- $6,000 to $20,000 to have your entire drainage system replaced
Finding the right drainer or plumber to do the job may require you to go out of your way and research. Though this may take time and effort, once you find a reliable contractor, the next plumbing and drainage job would be more relaxed and comfortable.
Related Posts
