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 drain cleaning is generally priced at £80 to £100.

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

Drain Unblocking Prices

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

As you can see, drain unblocking services vary considerably in price. Here is a closer look at some of the most common jobs and how much they cost:

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.

Drain rodding is not ideal for more extensive blockages, as it is 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 clears out all debris and can help prevent 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.

Blocked Drain Call Out Charges

Many drainage contractors charge a standard call out fee of around £50 to £100, which usually covers the first hour of work when booked in advance. An emergency call out, such as evenings, weekends, or urgent out-of-hours drain unblocking, can increase this to £100 to £200 depending on your location and the time of day.

As with many jobs, call out and labour rates will likely be higher in London and the South East compared to other parts of the UK.

Outside Drain Unblocking Costs

Unblocking an outside drain usually costs around £80 to £150, depending on how deep the blockage is and whether simple rodding is enough to clear it.

If the blockage is further down the line or keeps coming back, drain jetting or a CCTV survey may also be needed, which can increase the total cost.

Gully Drain Cleaning Costs

Cleaning or unblocking a gully drain usually costs around £80 to £120. Gullies often become blocked with leaves, mud, grease, and general outdoor debris, especially during wetter months.

If the blockage has spread into the underground drain run, further work such as rodding or jetting may be required.

Sewer Drain Unblocking Costs

If the blockage is located in a shared sewer rather than your private drain, you may need to contact your local water company first, as they are often responsible beyond your property boundary.

If the blockage is within your own sewer pipework or private drain run, unblocking costs usually range from £100 to £200, again depending on access and whether jetting or CCTV inspection is required.

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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.

As well as the method required to clear the blockage, costs can vary depending on the following:

Type and Location of Blockage

The overall cost of drain clearing will depend on the blockage type, for instance, a small blockage in a toilet or sink is normally cheaper to deal with than a more extensive blockage deep in your underground drains.

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. However, most drain blockages don't take a full day to clear unless they are severe.

Ease of Access to Drains

The level of access to your drains will also determine the cost, as some drain specialists may charge more if the drains are not easily accessible, as they will usually take a lot longer to unclog.

CCTV Requirements

If the blockage cannot be identified or keeps returning, a CCTV drain survey may be needed to inspect the pipework. Expect a typical drain CCTV survey to cost around £90 to £350, depending on how detailed the survey needs to be.

Time of Call Out

Drain unblocking usually costs more outside normal working hours. Evening, weekend, and emergency call outs often come with a higher call out fee, especially for urgent work.

Additional Repairs Required

If damaged pipework, collapsed drains, or root intrusion are found during the job, extra repairs may be needed. This can increase the total cost significantly beyond a standard drain unblocking visit.

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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 services is pipework repair, especially if CCTV inspection shows cracks, root damage, or worn sections of pipe.

One common repair method is drain relining, where a resin liner is inserted inside the damaged pipe to create a new inner layer without excavation. Drain relining usually costs more than standard cleaning, while laying new pipework typically costs around £60 to £70 per linear metre.

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.

Drain Clearance Cost Calculator

What's Involved in Clearing and Unclogging Drains?

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 drain 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 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.

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.

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 try it yourself first, 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.

For more stubborn blockages, you might need drain rods. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions as these can become damaged and lodge in the pipe, causing further blockages, if used incorrectly.

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:

Do My Drains Need Cleaning and Unclogging?

You might not notice blocked drains until they start causing problems, but sometimes you do get warning signs such as:

• Overflowing Sink - A build up of waste or grease can block pipes and cause the sink to overflow.
• Toilet Not Flushing - If the toilet won't flush properly, it might be blocked by too much toilet paper, or the wrong things having been flushed down it.
• Water Failing to Drain - If the sink or bathtub takes longer than usual to drain, or doesn't drain at all, it could be blocked by a build-up of fat, oil, grease, soap, dirt, or hair.
• Strong Drain Smell - If you notice a bad smell coming up through the drains, it's better to look into having them cleaned sooner rather than later, before the issue worsens.
• 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.

Preventing Blocked Drains

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.Dispose of cooking oils in the bin and always use a screen or grate to cover the drain opening when showering or emptying dish water.

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.

For gentle, regular maintenance, cleaning the drain using a handful of baking soda or a cup of vinegar will also help keep it running freely, provided the problem is not structural.

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).