Cost of Unblocking a Toilet

Want to find out the costs of clearing a blocked toilet?

There's nothing worse than the moment you realise your toilet is clogged up – especially when you only have one toilet in your home. Toilet blockages need to be fixed quickly.

The cost to unblock a toilet can vary quite a bit depending on what’s caused the blockage and how tricky it is to clear. But to give you a rough idea, most blocked toilet clearance jobs will typically cost between £30 and £60.

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How Much To Unblock a Toilet?

These days, the average toilet unblocker costs between £30 and £200. of course, this depends on what’s triggered the problem and how challenging it is to unclog.

As for a simple pan blockage, your plumber can usually sort this with a plunger or snake. Typically, you’ll pay around £30–£60 and it takes less than an hour. Are the pipes outside your toilet blocked? Then this is pricier at about £80–£100 for rodding. It’ll cost a little more if jetting is needed – roughly £150–£200

Emergency call-outs or London jobs will be a tad costlier. Plumbers charge a call-out fee, not to mention a steeper first-hour rate. Does your toilet keep blocking? You might need a CCTV drain survey to find the root cause. And these mostly cost £90–£500.

Need urgent help? See our emergency plumber cost guide.

How Much Does It Cost to Unblock a Toilet?

Below is a table highlighting the costs that you can expect when it comes to unclogging a toilet:

Prices are typical weekday rates. London and urgent call-outs tend to cost more.

Have a simple pan blockage? You'll probably pay £30 to £60 for roughly 30 minutes. Deeper or tougher blockages? They'll take longer and cost a little more.

Some more complicated or severe blockages will take longer to fix and will cost more. You could pay up to around £100 to £200 for more severe blockages depending on the problem and how long it takes for the plumber to fix it.

Supply Only Unblock Toilet Costs

Doing a small DIY unblock? You may need the items below.

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What Else Adds to the Cost of Unblocking a Toilet?

These extras sometimes crop up with a blocked toilet job:

New Pipework

If the current pipework that connects to your toilet is insufficient or faulty, then it may need to be replaced. It could be that it is damaged or corroded and you can't see it. If this is the case, you can expect to pay around £30-£40 for new pipework to be installed.

If a pan connector or short section of pipe needs replacing, parts are typically £30–£40 plus labour.

Replacement Toilet

If your toilet is prone to blockages or quite old, then it may be a good idea to think about replacing your old toilet with a new one now. The average cost to have a new toilet installed is around £300-£600.

Drain Unblocking

If you start to notice foul odours coming from your drains or your sink, then you may have a blockage in your drains. A professional drain unblocking service will usually cost around £80-£150 depending on the issue and the method used to unblock it.

Labour Costs and Timescales

Your labour cost depends on which trades you need and how long they’re on site. Most plumbers charge a call-out or first hour fee of about £60–£80, then around £40–£60 per half hour after that. For a full day’s work, expect £150–£200.

Minor toilet blockages can usually be cleared in under an hour. More stubborn issues, especially if the pipework is affected, can take up to two hours and cost closer to £200.

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Cost Factors of Unblocking a Toilet

There are several factors that may affect the cost of unblocking a toilet. Below is a list of the main things that could have an impact on the overall cost of the job:

Type of Blockage

Many things can cause a blockage within your toilet, and some are easier to fix than others. A mild blockage can take as little as 30 minutes to unblock, but a more severe blockage such as a blocked toilet drain or a blockage within the pipework could take a few hours. The longer the plumber needs to spend at your property, the more you should expect to pay for the work.

Ease of Access

The location of the blockage can affect the overall cost of the job. A blockage within the toilet bowl U-bend is much easier to access than a blockage that is further down the waste pipe. The more difficult the blockage is to get to, the longer it will take to unblock and will end up costing more.

Location of Property

Your location within the UK can have quite a substantial effect on how much you will pay to have your toilet unblocked. Plumbers in the London area can charge around £30-£100 more per day than plumbers based in other parts of the UK. So, if you are based in London, you can expect to pay more to get your toilet unblocked than someone who lives in another part of the UK.

What's Involved in Unblocking a Toilet?

There are a few ways a plumber will clear your blocked toilet. But which they choose will depend on what exactly is causing the blockage and where it’s stuck. Here’s how a plumber would normally sort it:

Unblocking With a Plunger

1. They’ll place the plunger over the outlet, making sure there’s plenty of water in the bowl, to cover the cup.
2. Using firm pushes down and harsher pulls back, your plumber will keep a tight seal to encourage the blockage to budge.
3. They’ll repeat until the water level drops. Then flush the toilet to test out the flow.

Unclogging With a Toilet Snake

1. First, yur plumber feeds the snake into the U-bend so it meets the blockage.
2. They twist and push to break it up or hook it out.
3. Once the cable comes back clean, they’ll flush again to see if it’s cleared.

Unblocking With a Chemical Agent

Quite a few plumbers prefer using a high-quality toilet unblocker liquid. But this isn’t like the harsh DIY drain cleaners you find in shops (those can spoil seals and pipes).

1. They’ll pour the correct chemical in and leave for the right amount of time.
2. After a while, they’ll flush the toilet – hopefully, the blockage will have shifted.

Safety note: It’s best not to use strong chemical drain cleaners yourself. They can harm toilet fittings and they’re incredibly dangerous to touch. If a plunger or snake doesn’t fix things, call a specialist. They’ll have the tools and experience to carry out the task safely.

Can I Unblock a Toilet Myself?

Yes, for minor blockages. Firstly, try a plunger. Then, give a toilet snake a go. Is the blockage within the pipe itself? Or does it keep coming back? Book a plumber.

However, if the blockage is within the pipework, you will most likely need to hire a plumber to complete this work for you. Blockages in the external pipework and drainage systems can be quite difficult to reach and will require specialist equipment to complete the unblocking.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Unblocking a Toilet

When it comes to unblocking a toilet, you won't need to worry about building regulations or planning permission.

Hiring Contractors to Unblock a Toilet Checklist

Before you hire a contractor to unblock a toilet, keep these points in mind:

• Price: Fixed rate or first-hour charge? Ask for a clear breakdown.
• Availability: Do they offer round-the-clock cover and confirm emergency fees in writing?
• Experience: Can they handle toilets and drains, not just general plumbing?
• Methods: Will they include rodding or jetting if needed?
• Clean-up: Do they remove waste and leave the area tidy?
• Guarantee: Is there a warranty on the work, and how long does it last?

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