From a slow gurgling sink to a flooded back yard — here's what blocked drain work actually costs in Port Augusta, and how to avoid the big bills.
Blocked drains are the single most common emergency call we run across the Spencer Gulf. They almost never happen at a convenient time, and the price gap between a 30-minute jet clear and a sewer dig-up is enormous. Here's how the pricing actually stacks up in 2026, and what you can do at the first sign of trouble to keep the bill at the small end.
Typical Port Augusta Drain Job Pricing
| Job | Est. Price | Time On Site |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sink/basin clear | $180 – $290 | 30–60 min |
| Toilet unblock (no excavation) | $220 – $380 | 45–90 min |
| Hydro-jet main sewer clear | $420 – $780 | 1.5–3 hrs |
| CCTV drain inspection + report | $320 – $480 | 1–2 hrs |
| Pipe relining (no-dig repair) | $2,800 – $6,500 | 1 day |
| Excavation & pipe replacement | $3,500 – $12,000+ | 1–3 days |
Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
- Multiple fixtures gurgling when you flush the toilet
- Slow draining bath or shower that isn't hair related
- Wet patch in the lawn near the sewer run, even in dry weather
- Sewer smell in the yard or laundry
- Don't keep flushing — a full blockage can back sewage into the shower base within minutes
Why DIY Drain Cleaner Usually Costs You More
Caustic drain cleaner softens PVC joints and corrodes older galvanised pipework. We routinely find pinholes and joint failures in pipes that were treated repeatedly with supermarket products. The $12 bottle becomes a $4,000 excavation.
Tree roots are the #1 cause
Older Port Augusta and Stirling North homes have earthenware sewer pipes that crack at the joints. Roots from gums, peppercorns and figs find the moisture and slowly choke the line. CCTV is the only way to be sure.
When Relining Beats Excavation
Trenchless pipe relining inserts a resin sleeve through your existing pipe, cures in place, and effectively gives you a new pipe inside the old one. It's typically half the cost of excavation, leaves your driveway and garden intact, and carries a 35–50 year warranty. It's not viable for fully collapsed pipes, but for cracked or root-infested lines it's almost always the better call.
"If you've cleared the same drain twice in 12 months, stop clearing it and start fixing it. The clears add up to more than the repair."
What Lehonde Mills Includes on Every Drain Job
- •Upfront fixed price before any work starts
- •High-pressure hydro-jet, not just a hand snake
- •CCTV footage shown to you on site
- •Written report with recommended next steps (no upsell pressure)
- •12-month workmanship warranty on any repair
Need a hand with this in person?
Call Lehonde directly for a same-day quote across Port Augusta and the Spencer Gulf.