Drain Unblocking
Blocked drain, sink, toilet or gully? Jetting and rodding clear most blockages. Ask for a camera check afterwards to confirm the drain runs freely.
What is drain unblocking?
Drain unblocking clears a blocked drain, sink, toilet or gully. The engineer uses high-pressure water jetting or rods, then a camera check can confirm the run is clear. The check can also flag anything that might make the blockage come back.
A blocked drain disrupts daily life. Left too long, it can flood and cause damage. Engineers usually clear blockages with high-pressure water jetting or with rods. Ask for a camera check afterwards to confirm the run is clear.
If the camera spots a deeper cause, for example roots, a collapse or scale, ask the engineer to explain it. That way, a one-off clear doesn't turn into a cost that keeps coming back.
For more detail, read what it costs to unblock a drain, what drain jetting costs and who is responsible for a blocked drain.
Some cities have their own page: drain unblocking in London, drain unblocking in Birmingham, drain unblocking in Bristol, drain unblocking in Manchester, drain unblocking in Leeds, drain unblocking in Wolverhampton, drain unblocking in Nottingham and drain unblocking in Southampton.
When you need drain unblocking
- Water backing up in a sink, bath, toilet or gully
- Slow drainage or gurgling from plugholes
- Foul smells from drains or an overflowing manhole
- A toilet that fills but will not flush away
- Wet ground or pooling around a drain cover
Why it matters
Clearance
Jetting and rodding clear most blockages. Ask how many visits the job is likely to need, so you can plan around it.
Verified clear
Ask for a camera check afterwards to confirm the blockage has gone, and to see the state of the pipe. That way, you know the job is done.
Cause flagged
If something keeps causing blockages, a camera check can spot it. You can then fix the cause, rather than pay to clear it again.
What it usually includes
Ask the engineer to confirm what their quote covers, since this varies.
- Locating the blockage and choosing the right clearance method
- High-pressure jetting or mechanical rodding to clear it
- A camera check to confirm the run is clear (ask for it)
- Any underlying cause flagged, with advice on preventing repeats
How it works
- 01
Assess
First, the engineer finds the blockage and picks the right way to clear it. Since causes vary, the method should match the problem.
- 02
Clear
Next, high-pressure jetting or rodding removes the blockage. The engineer then watches how the drain runs, to check the water flows freely.
- 03
Verify
Finally, ask for a camera check to confirm the run is clear and to flag any deeper problem. You then know whether a one-off clear is enough.
How much does drain unblocking cost?
The cost of drain unblocking depends on how bad the blockage is and the time of day. It also depends on whether the job needs rods or high-pressure jetting. Send us the details. Ask for a written quote before any work starts.
What affects the price
- How severe and how far down the blockage is
- Whether rodding or high-pressure jetting is needed
- Time of day (ask whether out-of-hours visits are possible, and what they cost)
- Whether a camera check is added to find the cause
Each job gets its own price. Send us the details, with no obligation. Ask for a written quote before any work starts.
Request a no-obligation quote →Drain Unblocking — your questions answered
How much does it cost to unblock a drain?
It depends on how bad the blockage is, whether it needs rods or jetting, and the time of day. Send us the details. Ask for a written quote before any work starts.
How quickly can a blocked drain be cleared?
If you have a blockage right now, say so in the job details box, and ask for the earliest free slot. Ask how many visits the job is likely to need.
What can I do before the engineer arrives?
Stop running water into the drain, and keep the area clear. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, because they can make jetting unsafe. If a manhole is overflowing, keep people and pets well away.
Can the cause be checked?
Yes. After clearing, ask for a camera check to find the cause, especially if the drain keeps blocking. That way, you don't pay again and again for the same problem.
Further reading
Get a drain unblocking quote
Tell us what you need and where you are, and we'll pass your request on straight away. There's no obligation. Ask for a written quote, then decide.