Slow sinks, gurgling plugholes and a bad smell outside are classic signs of a blocked drain. Many minor blockages can be cleared yourself in minutes, but when water backs up into the shower or a manhole overflows, you will need a drain unblocking service. In the UK, professional drain unblocking typically costs £80 to £200, while high-pressure jetting and CCTV surveys cost more.
Before you pay anyone, it is worth knowing who is responsible for the drain. In England and Wales, many shared pipes are the water company’s job to fix, not yours. This guide covers DIY options, professional drain repair prices, and the point at which it is time to call in an expert.
Early warning signs
Try these first
- A sink plunger, with the overflow covered
- Removing hair from shower traps
- Unscrewing and cleaning the U-bend
- Boiling water for minor grease build-up
- Drain rods for an outside gully
- Mixing chemical drain cleaners
- Pouring boiling water into plastic toilet pans
- Forcing rods into pipes you cannot see
- Ignoring repeated blockages
Sink, toilet or outside drain?
Where the blockage sits changes the best fix. A single slow kitchen sink is usually caused by grease and food in the trap or waste pipe directly beneath it, and can often be cleared by removing and cleaning the U-bend. A toilet that will not flush properly is often blocked by wipes or too much paper close to the pan, so a toilet plunger is the first step. If several fittings are affected at once, or the outside gully is overflowing, the problem is further down the system, typically in the underground drain or inspection chamber, and needs rods or professional equipment.
Whose drain is it?
A drain carries waste from one property. A sewer carries waste from two or more. Since 2011, most shared sewers and lateral drains outside the property boundary in England and Wales have been the responsibility of the local water and sewerage company.
- Your responsibility: pipes serving only your home, within your boundary.
- Water company: pipes shared with neighbours and those beyond your boundary.
- Not sure? If neighbours’ drains are also blocked, call your water company first – the fix may be free.
If you rent, report blocked drains to your landlord. Landlords are generally responsible for keeping drains and waste pipes in working order, although tenants may be asked to pay if a blockage was clearly caused by misuse, such as flushing wipes.
Professional methods and prices
| Method | Used for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rodding | Simple blockages in accessible drains | £80–£150 |
| High-pressure jetting | Grease, scale and stubborn debris | £150–£350 |
| CCTV drain survey | Repeated blockages, house purchases | £150–£350 |
| Patch repair or relining | Cracked pipes without digging | £400–£1,500+ |
| Excavation and replacement | Collapsed pipes | £1,000–£4,000+ |
Why blockages keep coming back
A drain that blocks again and again usually has an underlying fault. Tree roots can force their way into joints looking for water, cracked or displaced pipes catch debris, and a sagging section of pipe, known as a belly, lets waste settle instead of flowing away. Older clay pipes are especially prone to these problems. Clearing the blockage only treats the symptom, so a CCTV survey is the best way to see what is happening inside the pipe and decide whether patch lining, root cutting or replacement is needed.
When to call a professional
Call an expert if water is backing up in more than one place, a manhole chamber is full, toilets bubble when you run the bath, you see sewage outside, or you have had the same blockage more than twice.
Drain surveys when buying a home
A standard house survey only looks at drains from the surface. If you are buying an older property, a house with large trees nearby or one with an extension built over drainage, a pre-purchase CCTV survey can reveal cracks, root ingress or collapsed sections before you commit. The report and video footage can help you negotiate on price or ask the seller to carry out repairs.
Keeping drains clear: the “3 Ps” rule
Only flush pee, poo and paper. Wet wipes – even those labelled “flushable” – cotton buds and sanitary products are a leading cause of blockages. In the kitchen, wipe greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing, use a sink strainer, and let cooking fat cool before putting it in the bin.
Prices reflect typical UK drainage company charges.
Independent guide – not linked to any drainage contractor or water company.