Blocked Drains in Johannesburg, Sandton & Midrand

A blocked drain is one of the most common — and most urgent — plumbing calls we get. Whether it is a toilet that will not flush, a kitchen sink backing up, sewage rising through an outside gully, or multiple drains failing at the same time, leaving it means the problem gets worse and more expensive. Apple Plumbing & Electrical clears blocked drains across Johannesburg, Sandton, Midrand, Fourways, Bryanston, Randburg and the East Rand (Boksburg, Germiston, Alberton, Edenvale, Kempton Park) — usually the same day. We use hand augers for simple blockages and high-torque mechanised drain machines with root-cutting heads for main sewer lines, followed by CCTV camera inspection where blockages keep returning. No chemicals, no guesswork.

What we do

We clear every type of blocked drain: blocked toilets (wet wipes, sanitary products, toys), blocked kitchen sinks (grease and food build-up), blocked shower drains (hair and soap scum), blocked outside gullies (leaves and silt), and blocked main sewer lines (tree-root ingress, collapsed earthenware, back-falls). Our approach depends on the blockage: a closet auger for a toilet, a flexible drain snake for a basin or shower, and a high-torque mechanised drain machine with interchangeable cutter heads for main lines and root-affected sewers. For recurring blockages we push a CCTV camera through the line to find the structural cause — root ingress, a collapsed section, a displaced joint — and quote the permanent repair. Every blocked drain is flushed and flow-tested before we leave.

Signs you need this service

• A toilet that will not flush or fills to the rim
• A kitchen sink draining slowly or backing up
• Water pooling in the shower during use
• Sewage smell from drains, gullies or manholes
• Multiple drains backing up at the same time (main sewer blockage)
• Gurgling sounds when you flush a toilet or empty a basin
• An outside gully or manhole overflowing after rain or heavy use

Our process

1. 1Identify the type and location of the blockage
2. 2Clear with the right tool — auger, snake or mechanised drain machine
3. 3Flush and flow-test to confirm the drain is fully clear
4. 4CCTV camera inspection if the blockage is recurring
5. 5Quote any structural repair in writing (root-cut, reline or replace)
6. 6Clean up and leave the area tidy

Pricing

Simple blocked toilet or basin R650–R1,200. Mechanised main-line drain clearing R1,400–R2,800. CCTV drain inspection R1,800–R2,800. We quote in writing on site before starting any additional work.

Prices are indicative for Northern Johannesburg, 2026. Every job is quoted in writing on site before work proceeds.

Why choose Apple Plumbing & Electrical

Every Apple Plumbing van carries a hand auger, a flexible drain snake, a high-torque mechanised drain machine with multiple cutter heads, and a push-rod CCTV camera — so we diagnose and clear in one visit instead of returning with different tools. We do not pour caustic chemicals into your drains, and we do not leave a mess behind.

Frequently asked questions