Drain Cleaning Services in Johannesburg & Pretoria
Blocked Drain Plumbers in Johannesburg & Pretoria
Drain Cleaning Services You Can Trust. Backed by Experience and Guarantees
Blocked drains need more than a quick fix or a random "blocked drain plumber near me". Alpha Plumbing’s drain cleaning services come with fixed flat-rate pricing (no ticking clock) and solid guarantees: 30 days on general drain unblocking and three months on root-related recurrences. We’re available 24/7 with no extra fees after hours, so you get reliable solutions without surprises. With over three decades of experience behind us, Alpha Plumbing are the blocked drain plumbers trusted throughout Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Blocked Drain Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Blocked drains often start with small warning signs – ignore them, and they can quickly become a full sewer line blockage.
Slow drainage in sinks, baths or showers
Gurgling sounds from pipes or toilets
Rising water in the toilet bowl
Bad smells coming from your drains
Wet patches or pooling outside
Overflowing gully or sewer drains
Not sure if it's a blocked drain?
Here’s Why Customers Trust Our Drain Unblocking Services
From blocked drains in Johannesburg suburbs to sewer line problems in Pretoria estates, Alpha Plumbing is trusted for expertise, fair pricing and guarantees that few others offer.
Explore More Drain Cleaning Options
We use powerful rotary drain cleaning equipment to clear most blockages quickly—but when the obstruction is stubborn, recurring, or hidden deeper in the line, these additional options give you a more complete solution.
- Drain Jet Blasting – High-pressure water jetting scrubs the full pipe wall to remove grease, sand, roots and heavy buildup for a deeper clean.
- CCTV Drain Camera Inspection – A non-invasive camera inspection reveals structural damage, misalignment or root intrusion inside the drain, so you can fix the real problem the first time.
- Sewer Repair and Replacement – If inspection reveals cracks, collapse, or root damage, we repair or replace the sewer line professionally for a long-term, compliant solution.
Blocked Sewer Prevention: Simple Steps That Work
A few simple habits in the kitchen, bathroom and around your drains can prevent most blockages before they turn into costly sewer problems.
- Never pour fats, oils or grease down the sink – they solidify and cling to your pipes
- Wipe plates and pans into the bin before rinsing
- Use a strainer to catch food scraps
- Fit a hair catcher in showers and basins – hair is one of the top causes of clogs
- Only flush toilet paper. Wipes, cotton buds and sanitary products belong in the bin, not the toilet
- Flush sinks weekly with hot water to wash away soap and grease before they harden
- Once a month, pour a kettle of boiling water with dish soap down your kitchen sink – this keeps fats and oils from building up
- Keep an eye on outdoor drains and sewer lines – tree roots often find their way in
DIY Drain Unblocking Tips
Some minor blockages can be cleared at home – here’s what works (and what doesn’t).
- Plunger: create a tight seal and pump firmly
- Hot water with dish soap: can soften grease build-up in sinks
- Wet & dry vacuum: powerful for sucking out a clog if you have one on hand
Baking soda and vinegar: fine for light build-up, but won’t clear serious blockages
Chemical drain cleaners: – may burn through a clog temporarily, but:
- They can damage older pipes
- They’re dangerous if splashed or inhaled
- They rarely solve the root cause
- Improvised tools or wire hangers: they often push the blockage deeper or scratch your pipes
- Repeated chemical use: if one application doesn’t clear it, dumping in more rarely helps and just adds hazard
- Garden hoses at full pressure: can flood your home and don’t match professional jetting equipment
- More than one drain is blocked at the same time
- You notice foul smells or dirty water backing up
- The blockage keeps coming back
Our Blocked Drain Plumbers Answer Your FAQs
You can, but we don’t recommend it. Chemical drain cleaners may provide temporary relief but often damage older pipes, harm the environment and pose a safety risk if splashed.
Recurring blockages usually mean there’s an underlying issue – like grease build-up in the pipes, tree roots in your outdoor lines or a collapsed pipe. Our drain camera inspection can identify the cause.
Our drain plumbers near you respond quickly anywhere in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
Yes – 30 days on general drain cleaning and three months on root-related blockages.
Private plumbers aren’t allowed to work on municipal sewer lines. If you suspect the blockage is in the public/mainline sewer, you’ll need to log it with your local municipality:
City of Johannesburg
- Call Centre: 0860-JOBURG (0860 56 28 74)
- Johannesburg Water: 011 688 1699/011 688 1500
City of Tshwane (Pretoria)
- Call Centre: 012 358 9999
Email: sewerblockages@tshwane.gov.za
Tip: Always ask for a reference number when you log a fault – this makes follow-ups much easier
- On your property (your responsibility):
If only one fixture (such as a sink, toilet or shower) is blocked, or if the blockage is limited to your home’s internal pipes or yard drains, you need a private plumber. - Municipal line (city’s responsibility):
If all drains in the house are backing up at once, or you see sewage overflowing from a gully or manhole on the street, the blockage is most likely in the municipal mainline sewer. In that case, contact: - Johannesburg: 0860-JOBURG/011 688 1699
- Tshwane: 012 358 9999/sewerblockages@tshwane.gov.za
Why Customers Recommend Alpha Plumbing for Drain Cleaning Services
Backed by 400+ five-star reviews, customers across Johannesburg and Pretoria highlight Alpha Plumbing’s reliability, service excellence and professionalism.
