What you can try yourself
- Plunger. Cover the plughole or pan, make a good seal and push firmly for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Hot, not boiling, water with washing-up liquid for grease in kitchen sinks.
- Remove and clean the trap under a sink with a bucket underneath.
- Clear the plughole of hair and debris in baths and showers.
Stop and call a professional if
- More than one fixture is blocked, such as the sink, bath and toilet together.
- Water is rising in a gully or manhole outside.
- Sewage is coming up, or there is a strong smell.
- The toilet will not flush after several plunger attempts.
- The blockage keeps coming back.
Multiple fixtures blocked at once usually means the problem is in the main drain, which a plunger will not reach.
Why to avoid drain chemicals
Caustic drain cleaners can damage older pipes and are hazardous to handle. If they fail, the engineer then has to work around a pipe full of chemicals.
What drain jetting involves
A high-pressure water hose is fed into the pipe and clears grease, scale, wipes and roots, leaving the pipe clean rather than just punched through. Our drainage and jetting rate is up to £180 an hour on weekdays and £300 an hour out of hours, before VAT. See the prices page and how charges add up.
Preventing the next blockage
- Bin cooking fat and oil, never pour it down the sink.
- Only flush toilet paper. Wipes marked flushable still block pipes.
- Fit a hair trap in the shower and bath.
Frequently asked questions
Is a blocked drain an emergency?
It is if sewage is backing up, water is rising or you cannot use the toilet. A slow single sink can usually wait for a booked visit.
How much does drain jetting cost?
Our drainage and jetting rate is up to £180 an hour on weekdays and £300 an hour out of hours, before VAT and materials.
Should I use drain cleaner?
We advise against it. It can damage pipes and make later work more hazardous.
