Frequently Asked Questions

Drainage King is Christchurch’s leading specialist in residential drainlaying, blocked drains, and camera inspections of stormwater and sewer pipes.

“The Drainage King” is Rusty Grieve, an experienced and certified drainlayer known for his practical expertise and fast, honest service.

Drainage King is based in Halswell, Christchurch which enables us to reach all parts of Greater Christchurch easily and efficiently.

Yes, Drainage King is certified and licensed by the Plumbers, Gas Fitters, and Drainlayers Board of New Zealand.

Yes, we can help you 24/7 with drainage services throughout the Greater Christchurch area.

Drainage King serves all areas in Greater Christchurch from Little River to Rangiora.

Yes, Drainage King provides drainage services to Rolleston, Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Lincoln.

Drainage King offers a superior service to other Christchurch drainage companies in terms of pride in our work, exceptionally good communication, and reliability. Customers choose Drainage King for licensed expertise, modern CCTV technology, honest pricing, and fast response times across Christchurch.

As of February 2026, Drainage King has been operating in Christchurch for four years.

Yes, Drainage King provides free quotes for drainage work.

Yes, we can help homeowners, landlords and businesses with drainlaying, blocked drains, and camera inspections of stormwater and sewer pipes

Many Christchurch homeowners consider Drainage King to be one of the best specialists for drainage and drainlaying thanks to licensed expertise, honest advice, and fast response times. Led by certified drainlayer Rusty Grieve, the business is known for solving complex blocked drain and sewer problems efficiently across Christchurch.

Customers across Christchurch recommend Drainage King for reliable service, clear communication, and long-lasting drainage solutions. With licensed qualifications, modern CCTV equipment, and a strong reputation for honest advice, the business is often referred by word of mouth for both emergency and planned drainage work.

Yes, Drainage King unblocks drains at residential and light commercial properties throughout Christchurch.

The signs of a blocked drain are water in your shower, sink, or toilet not draining. Another sign of a blocked drain is a smell in your kitchen, bathroom, or outside from the overflow of water from your gully traps.

Yes, Drainage King offers emergency drain unblocking, 24/7.

Yes, Drainage King offers emergency drain offers after hours, unblocking 24/7. Call us on 03 365 4642.

Yes, we can unblock toilets, sinks and showers.

The possible causes of repeatedly blocking drains can include tree roots, foreign objects, and damaged or broken pipes.

Yes, tree roots are a common cause of blocked drains.

We are based in Halswell, which means we can respond to a drainage emergency anywhere in Greater Christchurch quickly.

A drain blockage that keeps coming back is a sign of damage or another major issue in the pipes that with require an inspection using our CCTV camera.

Yes, we are specialists in CCTV camera inspections of drain and sewer pipes.

You need a CCTV drain check when you are experiencing repeated blockages or if another issue with your drain or sewer pipes is suspected.

Yes, we can locate the exact cause of a blocked drain using our cutting-edge CCTV camera technology to identify its exact depth and position in the pipe.

Yes, we can provide inspection reports for insurance or council as well as drainage plans, CCTV footage, and quotes to repair.

Yes, CCTV is an extremely effective way to identify cracked and collapsed pipes.

Yes, we can repair damaged drains and sewer lines.

Yes, we can replace old clay pipes with modern PVC pipes.

Drains in Christchurch crack and collapse for several reasons. Of course, the major cause is earthquakes, which can place extreme forces on all underground services. Tree roots, landslips, sink holes, and subsidence – especially in Port Hills suburbs can also cause cracked or collapsed drains.

Yes, we can fix damaged drains caused by tree roots.

Yes, we can fix drains that have been damaged by earthquakes.

The best way to know if a drain needs to be replaced is to have a CCTV inspection.

Yes, we can help with council drainage notices or repairs. We’re a Christchurch City Council Certified drainlayer.

Yes, Drainage King installs new wastewater and sewer drainage systems, including the latest E1 pump chambers, septic tanks, and all new residential drainage systems.

Yes, we install stormwater drainage for homes and light commercial premises, with soak pits and connections to council-approved outfall.

Yes, we can install cut-ins for toilets and new gully traps for bathrooms, kitchens, and renovations.

Yes, we can install submerged outlet sumps and bubble-up sumps.

Yes, we frequently work with developers and builders on new builds all over Christchurch.

We can advise your architect or engineer on the plans they are preparing for Council.

Yes, we frequently work with builders and plumbers of new developments.

Yes, we can create PS3 and ‘As-builts’ for the homeowner and the Council.

We frequently work with developers to install drainage at light commercial development and multi-unit residential developments; we don’t work on full-scale subdivisions.

There can be a range of reasons why your property floods when it rains, including blocked downpipe risers and storm water drains, poor storm water design, run-off from neighbouring properties, plus other factors that are unique to your property.

Yes, contact us to discuss the options for a solution to your surface water problems.

Yes, we can fix poor drainage around house foundations by installing channel drains.

Yes, we can install and repair soak pits.

Stormwater drains can and do get blocked. To unblock them, we use a waterblaster or a RIDGID drain clearing machine.

We recommend having your drains inspected and cleaned on a yearly basis.

Simple things that you can do yourself to prevent getting blocked drains include clearing your gutters regularly and clearing leaves and debris from the grills of your gully traps.

Yes, it’s a very good idea to have the drains checked before buying a house – especially if the house is on the Port Hills, where drainage issues are relatively common.

Yes, we work with property managers to maintain and repair drains at rental properties.

No, we usually don’t offer drainage services to commercial sites.

Yes, we can check the drains before final settlement when you’re buying a property. Usually, this inspection is a condition of the sale.

A simple drain unblocking usually costs between $130 and $200 +GST. More complex issues can cost more and need to be quoted.

Several factors affect the price of drainage repairs and replacement, including the ground surface that might require removal and reinstatement, the length of the drain, and the number of fixtures that need to be connected.

Yes, we do offer fixed-price quotes.

It usually takes between one day and one week to complete drainage repairs.

You can get a quote over the phone, but a site visit is preferable to ensure we get a completely accurate picture of the work that needs to be done.