Tree roots in a drain are dealt with in steps: a standard clear first, then a CCTV camera and hydro-jetting if the blockage is stubborn, and repair or pipe relining if the footage shows a damaged pipe. Brigs Plumbing does blocked drain work across Brisbane and the Redlands.
The cost section below sets out published Brisbane price ranges for these jobs.
Brigs Plumbing is a plumber based in Thorneside serving homes across Brisbane and the Redlands.
How do you get rid of tree roots in a drain?
Tree roots are cleared in up to three steps, depending on how stubborn the blockage is and the condition of the pipe:
- A standard clear. If the blockage is straightforward, the plumber clears it and the job is done.
- A CCTV camera and hydro-jetting. If the root blockage is stubborn, a CCTV camera is used to see what is in the pipe, and hydro-jetting can be part of the clear.
- Repair or relining. If the footage shows the pipe is damaged, repairing it becomes the conversation, and relining is one way to do that.
If a drain keeps blocking, ask about a CCTV camera inspection.
If the blockage cannot wait, the emergency plumber page explains how Brigs Plumbing handles urgent work.
When is a CCTV camera inspection needed?
A CCTV camera inspection shows what is happening inside the pipe. When one is needed, it comes first and the quote follows from the footage, so the price is based on what the plumber has actually seen.
A camera inspection is worth asking about when:
- the blockage is stubborn and a standard clear has not dealt with it
- the same drain keeps blocking
- you are weighing up a pipe repair and need to know the condition of the pipe
Brigs Plumbing offers a CCTV drain inspection service for exactly this.
When is pipe relining worth asking about?
Relining repairs a damaged pipe from the inside, usually without digging up the yard, driveway or garden. That is the main reason homeowners ask about it. If the camera footage shows damage and the pipe runs under something you would rather not dig up, relining is worth raising with your plumber.
It is not the answer to every root blockage. A pipe that only needs a clear does not need repairing, and the footage is what tells you which situation you are in.
Relining is priced on the pipe, not on a flat rate. The price depends on pipe length and diameter, the number of junctions, access points and the pipe's condition. That is why the camera inspection comes first and the quote follows from the footage. To see what drives the cost in more detail, read what affects the cost of pipe relining.
Want a firm price for your job?
We look at the job and quote before any work starts, so you know the cost up front.
What does clearing a root-blocked drain cost in Brisbane?
What's The Damage, an independent cost guide, puts a standard blocked drain clear in Brisbane at $150 to $500 per job and a stubborn blockage needing a CCTV camera and hydro-jetting at $350 to $1,100 per job (October 2026); these are market ranges, not Brigs Plumbing's prices.
| Job type | Brisbane range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked drain, standard clear | $150 to $500 per job | What's The Damage, an independent cost guide (October 2026) |
| Stubborn blockage needing a CCTV camera and hydro-jetting | $350 to $1,100 per job | What's The Damage, an independent cost guide (October 2026) |
Neither range is a quote. The real cost depends on the job, and the way to know is a quote.
What moves the price of a drain job?
A drain price changes with the location of the blockage, its cause (tree roots, fat, wipes or a broken pipe), access to the drain, whether a camera inspection is needed and after-hours timing.
More on drain costs and causes
Getting a quote from Brigs Plumbing
To get a quote, call 0435 040 590 or request a quote online.
