Blocked Drain Costs: Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban

Blocked drains range from a R450 quick fix to a R12,000 sewer excavation. Here's how to know what you're facing.

Quick reference table

Blockage	Typical cost
Kitchen sink (grease)	R450 – R900
Bath or shower (hair)	R450 – R800
Toilet (single fixture)	R550 – R1,100
Outside gully / yard drain	R800 – R1,800
Main sewer (rod & plunge)	R1,500 – R3,500
Main sewer (high-pressure jetting)	R2,500 – R5,500
CCTV drain inspection	R900 – R2,000
Excavation & pipe replacement	R6,000 – R25,000

When DIY is fine

• Hair in shower drain — use a drain snake
• Soft toilet blockage — a flange plunger usually works
• Slow kitchen sink — boiling water + bicarb + vinegar

When to call a pro immediately

• More than one drain backing up simultaneously
• Sewage smell inside the house
• Gurgling toilet when running another tap
• Water rising in the gully outside

These point to a main-line blockage that won't clear with household tools.