Drain Unblocking Cost

How Much to Unblock a Drain?

How much does it cost to unblock a drain?

On average, you're looking at spending around £100 to get your drainage issues resolved, but drain clearance costs will depend on the specific problem and the method required.

For example, unblocking a clogged toilet, bath, or sink will cost around £50 to £70, while general draining cleaning is generally priced at £80 to £100.

Other methods include drain jetting, which costs about £70 to £175, draining rodding that ranges from £80 to £145, and a full system scrub, which is typically priced at £150 to £200.

It's worth noting that the above unblocking drain costs are estimates. Prices may fluctuate depending on the company or drainage specialist, as well as the condition of your drains.

Your location is also likely to affect the costs, with drain unblocking prices in London likely to be higher than the rest of the country.

Drain Unblocking Prices

Here is a price breakdown of the different types of drain unclogging and cleaning methods:

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Factors That Impact Drain Unclogging Costs

As you might expect, there are a number of factors that can affect drain clearance costs.

At the lower end, the cost for unclogging and cleaning drains is around £50 to £75. However, this is usually the rate for smaller jobs such as unclogging the toilet, bath or sink, which generally take about half an hour to complete.

Bigger jobs, such as drain rodding, will cost around £80 to £145, while drain specialists tend to charge around £70 to £175 for high-pressure water jetting, which both take approximately one hour to complete.

A more extensive job, such as a complete system clear out, will cost around £150 to £200, and usually takes up to 2 hours to conduct.

Here's a more detailed look at the factors you need to consider to calculate the cost of cleaning and unclogging your drains:

Type of Blockage

The overall cost of drain unclogging will depend on the blockage type, for instance, a small blockage in a toilet or sink is normally only priced at around £50 to £70. However, a more extensive blockage deep in your drains could end up costing you around £150 to £200.

Method Used

The method used will also determine the final price, as a simple unclogging with drain rods usually costs around £80 to £145, while drain jetting costs up to £175. Other options include a full system scrub, which can range from £150 to £200.

Location of Property

Where you live can also have a massive effect on the final cost, especially if you live in the countryside, where access to drain specialists is limited. You may also pay more if living in London and southern England, where tradespeople tend to charge around £280 per day, while drain specialists in the north of England typically set a day rate up to £215 a day.

Ease of Access

The level of access to your drains will also determine the cost, as some drain specialists may charge more if the drains are easily accessible, as they will usually take a lot longer to unclog.

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Additional Drain Unblocking Costs

There are several other costs you may need to consider when hiring a professional to unclog your drains, including:

CCTV Drainage Survey Cost

If you have ongoing issues with blocked drainage, then you may want to consider hiring a drain specialist to conduct a CCTV survey. This will involve an in-depth inspection of your drains by inserting CCTV cameras, which will provide live footage to the specialist to detect any issues.

The average cost of a CCTV drainage survey is around £90 for a basic survey, and up to £350 for a full survey with drain mapping.

Pipework Repair Cost

Another job that is usually completed alongside drain cleaning is pipework repairs, as often clogs can cause pipes to break or corrode. Most tradesmen will repair your pipes using the pipe-relining method, which involves inserting resin tubes inside your pipework to secure the damaged area.

The typical cost to lay new pipework is normally around £60 to £70 per m².

Collapsed Drain Cost

In extreme cases, your drain lines may collapse altogether due to old age, ground movement, or heavy blockages. These factors can put pressure on the drain pipe, causing it to cave in.

The cost of repairing a drain line is expensive, at around £850 on average. If left untreated, not only can this cause severe drainage issues, but you run the risk of developing rising damp problems in your property.

Rising Damp Treatment Cost

Untreated blocked drains can cause dampness in your home, notably rising damp where the ground's moisture travels up through your property's foundations and walls, carrying health and structural concerns with it.

You may suspect rising damp issues if you notice mould growth on your interior walls, warped skirting boards, and floor damage, or a persistent damp, musty smell. The cost of treating rising damp is around £250 to £650 per single wall, depending on the size of your property.

Sink Replacement Cost

In severe cases, your kitchen sink may be too clogged up and may have caused irreparable damage, which means you will have to replace your existing sink.

New kitchen sinks cost anywhere from £195 for a stainless steel sink, up to £950 for a cast iron sink installation.

What's Involved in Clearing and Unclogging Drains?

While unblocking drains is usually something you can attempt yourself, it can be messy and unpleasant. Plus, your ability to resolve the issue will depend on the extent of the problem and whether you have the right equipment to tackle it.

Even then, if you’re unsure of what you’re doing, you could make the problem worse or even damage your drains and plumbing.

An experienced drains specialist will have the necessary expertise and equipment to tackle most drainage problems quickly and efficiently.

If you decide to hire a professional, it’s normal to get a few quotes to find the right specialist for your problem and budget. With MyJobQuote, you can get quotes from drainage specialists near you that are fast, free, and with no obligation.

Here’s what you can expect when you hire a professional to clean and unclog your drains:

Before the Job Starts

• Initial Assessment — The drainage specialist will assess the problem area to try and identify the cause and location of the blockage.
• Testing and Preparation — Diagnostic tools may be used to verify the problem and determine the appropriate action to be taken to clear it.
• Accessing the Blockage — The specialist may disconnect appliances or move panels and access covers in order to reach the problem.

During the Job

• Clearing the Blockage — They will use the appropriate equipment, such as a drain snake (inside) or rods (outside), to try to dislodge the blockage.
• Drain Jetting — With most of the blockage cleared, they will then use high-pressure water jetting to clear any remaining debris and make sure the drain is fully clear.
• System Scrub (if needed) — If the blockage is severe, they may use a stronger cleaning agent to completely clear the system.

After the Job

• Performance Testing — The drainage specialist will run water through the system to check it drains freely and the blockage has been completely cleared.
• CCTV Survey (if required) — If there are still issues, they may uses carry out a CCTV drainage survey to check for any damage or additional blockages.
• Final Clean-Up — Once everything is clear, they will reconnect any appliances and replace any panels or access covers, before removing any waste or debris and cleaning down the area.

Can I Clean and Unclog Drains Myself?

Cleaning a drain is one of those jobs that looks really simple at first sight, especially if you have ever watched a professional do it, but first impressions can be deceiving.

It is not only a dirty and challenging job, but can also be more complicated than you would think. However, if you are on a budget and would prefer to do it yourself, minor blockages to your sink, bath or shower tray can be relatively easy to fix using over-the-counter cleaning chemicals and simple and cheap tools such as a plunger.

If you are wondering how to unblock drain systems with an ordinary plunger, then all you need do is simply place it over the plug hole and start pushing up and down on the handle to create a force in both directions.

A power plunger is the next step up in the drain blockage arms race. Power plungers use compressed air and are pumped up using the handle and then placed over the plug hole, where all the compressed air is released by pressing the trigger, forcing any debris down the pipe or breaking it into smaller bits.

But for any severe blockages, drain rods will likely be required. These rods come in lengths of one meter and are screwed together to make a longer yet flexible length that can be inserted into the drainpipe, and the blockage can then be pushed into the run. Drain rods have various interchangeable fittings on the end which can make the removal of blockages easier.

Drain Unblocking Costs (DIY Option)

If you wish to clean and unclog a drain yourself, then you should consider the following costs for drain cleaning products:

Cleaning drains is not rocket science, but there are a few things that can go wrong. The most common issue by far is for the drain cleaning rods to become detached and get stuck in the drain, causing a further blockage!

If a contractor does this, then it will be up to them to rectify the problem, and you should not have to pay any extra, however, if you are cleaning the drains yourself and this happens, then you potentially have some major expensive problems on your hands.

The leading cause of rods becoming detached is they simply unthread themselves during all that thrashing about in the drain, trying to unblock them. There are several ways to remove drain rods without the expense of excavating the drain, but these are best left to the professionals as most will require specialised knowledge and equipment.

If you cannot move the blockage with drain rods, or worse, you end up blocking the drain with unscrewed rods, then it is time to call in the professionals. In fact, most people will call in the experts if a plunger does not do the trick – unblocking drains which are smelly and gungy is not most people’s idea of a fun DIY project.

Types of Drain Cleaning and Unblocking

There are various types of drain cleaning and unblocking methods, so it is essential that you understand what they are when they are needed, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the costs of each.

Drain Rodding Costs

Drain rodding is a popular drainage method used by professionals which involves flexible rods. These rods are screwed from end to end to fit into the drain to loosen or break up a blockage. This method usually costs around £80 to £145.

This method is ideal for smaller blockages in sinks or mainline sewer pipes as the rods can dislodge a small obstruction quickly. They are also suitable for removing roots which may have grown into the drain or sewer.

The downside of opting for drain rodding is that it is not ideal for more extensive blockages, as they are only useful for breaking up blockages rather than getting rid of them altogether.

Drain Jetting Costs

Drain jetting or hydro jetting is a modern drain cleaning technique which involves the use of high-pressure water and steam to clear away any blockages. The average cost of drain jetting is around £70 to £175.

Drain jetting is the preferred method for professionals as it enables them to conduct a thorough cleaning to get rid of any problematic blockages. It will also clear out any other debris, which will prevent any future drain issues.

One of the disadvantages of drain jetting is that some pipes or drains may not be strong enough to withstand the level of pressure that comes with hydro jetting. So, before choosing this option, it is vital that a professional checks your pipes for any cracks or weak areas that may burst during the procedure.

Do My Drains Need Cleaning and Unclogging?

Blocked drains are not usually noticed until they start causing problems, but sometimes you do get warning signs such as:

Overflowing Sink

One of the main signs of a clogged drain is an overflowing sink, which fails to drain every time you wash the dishes or your hands. This is typically caused by a build-up of waste or grease which becomes blocked in the pipes. This can be remedied with drain rods or jetting, which will break up the debris and flush out your drainage system.

Toilet Not Flushing

Toilets are normally blocked up by too much paper being flushed or even the wrong things being put down the toilet. This is generally solved with a plunger, or if the blockage is severe, you may need to have rods inserted into your drains to break up the debris.

Water Failing to Drain

If the water in your sink or bathtub is taking a while to drain or does not drain at all, then this could be a sign that your drains are blocked. This is normally caused by a build-up of fat, oil, grease and soap — although the resulting gunge blocking the drain will often also contain dirt and hair.

Strong Drain Smell

Suppose you do notice a bad smell coming up through the drains. In that case, it is important that you tackle the problem sooner rather than later, procrastination will likely end up costing a lot more money as the situation will just get much worse over time.

Gurgling Drain

One of the clear signs that your drains need to be unclogged is a gurgling noise, which usually means there is trapped air in your drains. This is typically caused by build-ups of food, grease, oil and more, which is usually solved by hydro jetting, which will flush out all the bad stuff.

It is important to remember that drain blockages are not always caused by fats, soap and other substances which have been flushed or poured down the plugholes.

They can also become blocked by structural defects, subsidence or even growing tree roots over time, which can partially collapse the pipe. But whatever the cause of the blockage, blocked drains can be serious, much more than a nuisance or a bad smell – they can eventually lead to an overflowing toilet if nothing is done.

Without a doubt, the best way to deal with blocked drains is to prevent them from becoming blocked in the first place. Be careful about what you put down the drains, as things like cooking grease, hair, and soap are well known for causing drain blockages.

Grease or oil is probably the number one substance for blocked drains, so try to dispose of cooking oils in the bin and always use a screen or grate to cover the drain opening.

Regular cleaning of the drain using a handful of baking soda will also help them to keep running freely, some people also swear by pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain and letting it sit for some time before flushing it with boiling water.

Checklist: Hiring a Drainage Specialist to Clean and Unclog Drains in the UK

Before hiring someone to clean and unclog your drains, you should take a look at the following checklist:

• Check that the tradesman has at least five years’ experience cleaning and unclogging sinks, toilets and drains.
• Enquire about previous jobs and check out customer reviews.
• Make sure that they have public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance, as this will ensure that you are protected should an incident occur.
• Ask about their qualifications, which could include a diploma in sewerage and drainage operations or a civil engineering degree.
• Check to see if they are members of any accredited associations such as the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA).