Yes, in most cases you can rent a drain cleaning machine in New Zealand and use it yourself to clear a blocked drain. However, there are important legal boundaries around drainlaying work, and some tasks must be carried out by a licensed professional. Read on to understand what you can tackle yourself, how to hire the right equipment, and when to call in the experts.
What Drain Cleaning Machines Are Available to Hire?
Most tool hire shops across New Zealand — including branches of Bunnings and Mitre 10, as well as specialist hire companies — stock a range of drain cleaning equipment for short-term rental. Common options include:
- Electric drain snakes (drain augers): Rotating steel cables that break up or retrieve blockages in pipes typically 50–100 mm in diameter. Good for kitchen sinks, laundry tubs, and shower drains.
- Drum machines: Larger motorised units with longer cables, suited to main drain lines and tougher blockages.
- High-pressure water jetters: Use pressurised water to blast grease, scale, and debris from pipes. Very effective but require care to avoid damaging older or fragile pipes.
Hire rates vary by machine size and duration — as a rough guide, expect to pay anywhere from around $80 to $250+ per day, though prices differ between suppliers and regions. Always confirm costs directly with your local hire shop.
What Can a Homeowner Legally Do?
This is where it gets important. Under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, certain drainlaying work is restricted work that must be performed by a licensed drainlayer or registered tradesperson. Doing restricted work yourself — or hiring an unlicensed person — is illegal and can void your home insurance.
What you can generally do yourself:
- Clear a blockage inside your home using a plunger, hand auger, or hired drain snake — provided you are not cutting into, joining, or altering any pipework.
- Use a hired drain cleaning machine to clear an existing blockage in a drain you can access without modifying any pipes.
- Remove and clean a trap (the U-bend under a sink) and refit it.
What is restricted and must be done by a licensed drainlayer:
- Any work that involves cutting, joining, replacing, or laying new drain pipes.
- Connecting to or modifying the public sewer or stormwater network.
- Any work on drains that requires a building consent (check with your local council — requirements vary).
If you are unsure whether your job crosses into restricted work, contact the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) or your local council before starting.
How to Use a Hired Drain Cleaning Machine Safely
Drain cleaning machines are powerful tools. Follow these safety steps:
- Read the hire company's instructions thoroughly before operating any machine.
- Wear rubber gloves, safety glasses, and old clothing — wastewater and debris can splash back unexpectedly.
- Never force a cable if it jams; this can damage your pipes or cause the machine to kick back.
- For high-pressure jetters, be aware that the water pressure can injure skin — keep the nozzle pointed away from yourself and others at all times.
- If you smell gas or suspect a damaged pipe, stop immediately and call a professional.
- Check WorkSafe NZ guidance if you have any concerns about safe equipment use.
Identifying the Right Machine for Your Blockage
Choosing the correct equipment saves time and avoids damage:
| Blockage Type | Recommended Equipment |
|---|---|
| Slow sink or shower drain | Hand auger or small electric snake |
| Grease build-up in kitchen drain | High-pressure water jetter |
| Main drain / outdoor inspection point | Drum machine or large jetter |
| Tree root intrusion | Large drum machine or professional CCTV + jetter |
If you suspect tree root intrusion or a collapsed pipe, a hired machine may not solve the problem — and forcing a cable through a damaged pipe can make things worse. In this case, it's best to call a licensed drainlayer who can carry out a CCTV inspection.
Tips Before You Hire
- Locate your drain access points before heading to the hire shop. Knowing your pipe diameter (commonly 100 mm for main drains in NZ homes) helps the hire staff recommend the right machine.
- Ask the hire shop for a demonstration — most are happy to show you how to operate the equipment safely.
- Check whether the hire price includes a cable or nozzle kit, or if these are extra.
- Consider whether the blockage is in a stormwater or wastewater drain — mixing these up can cause compliance issues under the NZ Building Code (specifically Clause G13: Foul Water and G14: Industrial Liquid Waste).
When to Call a Professional
While hiring a drain cleaning machine is a legitimate DIY option for straightforward blockages, call a licensed drainlayer if:
- The blockage keeps returning despite repeated clearing.
- You can see or suspect damaged, cracked, or collapsed pipework.
- There is sewage backing up into multiple fixtures — this may indicate a main drain problem.
- The drain connects to the public network and you need to open or modify any pipework.
- You are not confident operating the equipment safely.
A qualified drainlayer can also carry out a CCTV drain inspection to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem, saving you time and money in the long run. You can find licensed drain cleaners and drainlayers near you on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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