Mechanised Drain Cleaning (Drain Machine Services)

Some blockages don't yield to hand augers or rods — particularly main sewer lines clogged with tree roots, scale build-up in older galvanised waste pipes, or sand and silt in stormwater systems. That's where mechanised drain cleaning earns its keep. We run electrically powered drain machines with up to 22 mm cable and a range of interchangeable cutter heads to slice through roots, scour pipe walls and restore full bore on lines up to 150 mm in diameter, anywhere in Sandton, Midrand and Northern Johannesburg.

What we do

We size the right machine and cutter head to your pipework — root-cutter blades for 100/110 mm sewer lines, spear-tip and grease-cutter heads for kitchen wastes, retrieval heads for items dropped down drains. The cable is fed from the nearest manhole or inspection eye, worked the full length of the affected section, then flushed clean. For commercial sites and recurring blockages we follow up with a CCTV camera survey and provide footage on a USB or WhatsApp, so you have evidence of what was cleared and what may need long-term repair.

Signs you need this service

• Hand-augering or plunging hasn't worked
• Multiple fixtures backing up together
• Recurring blockages on the same line
• Tree roots visible in or near the line of the drain
• Sewage smell from manholes or gullies

Drain clearing methods, compared

We use the right tool for the blockage.

Our process

1. 1Locate the correct access manhole or eye
2. 2Select cable size and cutter head for the pipe
3. 3Machine-clear the full length of the affected line
4. 4Flush with high-volume water and verify flow
5. 5CCTV-survey for evidence and follow-up quote

Pricing

Mechanised drain cleaning R1,400–R3,500 depending on line length, access and cutter heads required. Combined with CCTV from R2,800. Commercial rates available on request.

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

Why choose Apple Plumbing & Electrical

We own our drain machines and CCTV cameras — we don't hire and we don't sub-contract this work. That means we know our equipment, we look after it, and we can mobilise the same day for emergencies across Northern Joburg.

Frequently asked questions