Discover the typical cost of unblocking a drain, including drain jetting, rodding, and lining prices.

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If your toilet won't flush, the drain covers near your property are overflowing, or your sinks are taking ages to empty, you could have a blocked drain.

The good news is, the average cost of unblocking a drain with rods is around £85. This could be all that's needed to get things moving again.

However, if the blockage is significant, drain jetting or a CCTV survey is needed, or if damage is identified, costs will be higher.

Read on to discover more about drain clearance costs, helping you to budget for this essential home maintenance task.

What is the average cost to unblock a drain in the UK?

The average cost to unblock a domestic drain is around £85. But this can vary depending on the blockage type, accessibility, callout fees, and the method of unblocking used.

Dealing with a blocked drain can be stressful, especially:

• When you don't know the cause

• When you're not sure how much it might cost to fix

The ballpark figures below highlight the typical costs you can expect to pay for various drain unblocking services.

For an accurate quote, contact drain clearance firms covering your local area. With Checkatrade, you know they've been checked by us and reviewed by real people.

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Cost to unblock a drain — by method used

If your drain is causing you trouble, you might be wondering which course of action is right for the job.

You'll also wonder how much these methods of drain unblocking cost.

How much does drain rodding cost?

Clearing a drain by drain rodding costs around £85.

This method involves a checked tradesperson guiding a drain rod through your sewer pipe or drain to force out the blockage. These rods are flexible and can be used to unblock both sinks and sewer pipes.

How much does drain jetting cost?

The average drain jetting cost is around £185. Jetting uses high-pressure water to clean out blockages. The water is forced through the pipes, forcing out any obstructions.

This method is more likely to be used on stubborn sewer blockages. It involves using specialist equipment and can take longer to complete, which is why the average drain jetting cost can be higher than other methods.

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Blocked drains can quickly turn into bad smells, leaks, or even wastewater backing up into your home. Find checked drain jetting services near you with Checkatrade for a job done right.

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Cost of rodding and jetting combined

A combination of rodding and jetting tends to cost around £270. In some cases, a drain clearance firm may start by rodding but then need to progress to jetting to clear a blockage entirely.

How much does it cost to snake a drain?

Unblocking a toilet or sink using a drain snake will typically cost around £60–£90.

• Drain snakes, also called electric eel cleaners, are essentially the next step up from your traditional plunger

• Snaking works similarly to drain rodding

• It's normally used for indoor blockages, such as removing a small clog from your toilet or sink

Overall, the cost of unblocking a drain often depends on where the blockage is located.

As a general rule of thumb, the cost of unblocking a clogged sink, bath, or toilet will be significantly less than general drain unblocking costs.

How much does an emergency drain unblocking cost?

The work to unblock the drain itself will usually cost the same as a scheduled visit, but with an additional emergency call-out fee of around £180.

For comparison, a call-out fee for a scheduled visit is more like £60 .

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Drain unblocking prices per project

In some instances, you may need more than just unblocking; here's an outline of what these extras might cost.

How much does a drain CCTV survey cost?

• The average cost of a drain CCTV survey is £200

• A drain CCTV survey, including a full report, will be closer to £300

If the blockage or obstruction is severe, a drain CCTV survey might be needed.

During a drain CCTV survey, your tradesperson will insert a camera into the drain to see what’s causing the obstruction and establish the most suitable method of clearing it.

How much does drain lining cost per metre?

Average drain lining costs in the UK are £110 per linear metre.

If your drain pipes are damaged, your drains may need to be re-lined. This involves using a polymer lining to repair any damage and ensure water flows smoothly.

How much does drain cleaning cost?

As a rough guide, you're looking at around £80 to £100 for drain cleaning services.

Drain cleaning removes any build-up of grease and debris to prevent future blockages. It can:

• Help your water drain quicker

• Eliminate unpleasant smells from your drains

• Get on top of little niggles before they turn into bigger problems

Most homeowners or tenants put off drain cleaning. However, keeping your drain system healthy and functioning is vital.

Investing in drain cleaning can reduce your costs in the long term by preventing you from having to pay for drain unblocking later on.

How much does sink unblocking cost?

The typical sink unblocking service cost is around £60.

If your sink won't drain, a blockage probably needs clearing. Luckily, unblocking a sink is usually a quick and straightforward task that won't cost the earth.

That said, if it turns out to be a bigger blockage that requires drain rodding, you could end up paying the average drain rodding cost of around £85.

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What affects the cost of unblocking a drain?

There are several factors that can affect the cost of unblocking a drain. These include:

• Size of the obstruction – More significant obstructions will take longer to shift and cost more

• Size of the drain – Bigger drains mean bigger obstructions that can take longer to shift

• Method of unblocking – Rodding is cheaper than jetting. Combining methods will cost more

• Location – Labour rates will vary according to where you are in the country

As you can imagine, this isn't easy to calculate as an exact figure without first inspecting your drain to diagnose the problem.

Hidden drain clearance costs to watch out for

Some of the additional costs of drain unblocking to bear in mind include:

• Callout fees – Emergency and out-of-hours rates are higher

• Specialist equipment – If needed, this can bump up the price

• Repairs – If your drains are damaged or collapsed, your overall costs will increase

Not just a problem with a blocked toilet? You may need a hand with a blocked drain, which could be inside or outside your property. Find drain and sewage clearance companies with Checkatrade.

DIY drain unblocking vs professional: Cost implications

There are several methods you can try to remedy a blocked drain, provided the cause is fairly minor.

However, for any blockages that are persistent, with a foul odour, or overflowing drains, contact checked drain clearance services.

This will ensure a faster and more thorough resolution to help prevent a recurrence and avoid damage to the pipes.

• If you have basic drain unblocking equipment (such as a plunger or a coat hanger) it could save time and money to unblock the drain yourself

• A more severe blockage will most likely need to be cleared with specialist equipment (which can be very costly to purchase or hire)

Hiring a drain unblocking service could save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Drain unblocking cost checklist

Drain unblocking checklist

• Severe drain blockages should be cleared by a checked drain clearance firm.

• The total cost of drain unblocking will vary depending on your location, the size of the blockage, and the method used to clear it

• The total drain unblocking cost you will pay is a combination of the call-out charge and the hourly rate to complete the job

How to unblock a drain

A few DIY methods that can tackle minor blockages are as follows:

1. Fish out blockages with a wire coat hanger

Start by straightening a wire coat hanger. Bend one end into a little hook and push it into the drain to remove as much gunk as possible.

If your blocked drain is in the shower, you'll likely find lots of hair. If it's in your kitchen sink, on the other hand, it's more likely to be bits of food and debris.

Either way, pull it all out instead of pushing it in further!

2. Pour boiling water down the drain

Now, pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. Pour it slowly, pausing to give the hot water time to work before pouring the next bit down.

This may well clear the blockage away. But if not, carry on to the next step.

3. Pour bicarbonate of soda and vinegar down the drain

Mix an equal amount of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar together. You'll only need around a cup of each.

When the mixture starts fizzing, pour it down the drain and let it sit there for at least an hour. This should help to remove any build-up of grime.

Be careful not to use this combination repeatedly to unblock drains. Although vinegar can be effective at unblocking pipes, repeated use could corrode old pipes and even damage their rubber seals. So, only use it when absolutely necessary.

4. Flush with boiling water

Lastly, follow up with a final kettle full of boiling water. Again, pour it slowly and pause several times to give the hot water time to work.

Hopefully, that will clear up the blockage, and you can give yourself a well-earned pat on the back. If not, one option remains: head to the DIY store and get hold of a well-reviewed household drain unblocker.

5. If all DIY attempts fail...

Contact a checked drain unblocking service covering your local area.

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Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

What are hourly rates for unblocking drains?

Normally, drain clearance companies will charge you a call-out fee for an engineer.

• The average call-out cost for an engineer is £60

• In an emergency, they will likely charge around £180 to visit your property

They'll then charge you on top of this for the work itself, once they've assessed the problem and decided on the best method of drain clearing. As a guide:

• Drain clearance firms typically charge around £275 per day

• This works out at around £31.25–£37.50 per hour

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Booking a checked drain unblocking company

Before being given our seal of approval, our tradespeople must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding The Checkatrade Standard.

For a job done right, hire a reviewed drain clearance firm with Checkatrade.

FAQs about drain unblocking costs

What are the signs of a blocked drain?

The first and most obvious sign that your drain is blocked is a toilet that won’t flush. However, there are a few other things to look out for, too:

• The drain covers near your property are overflowing

• A persistent smell of sulphur

• A gurgling sound when you flush the toilet

• Your sinks are taking longer to empty

All of these signs suggest you need the help of drain clearance services to unclog the drain.

Why are my drains blocked?

There could be several potential causes of a blocked drain:

• Pipes are too small: If your drain pipes are too small, waste and debris can build up, leading to a blockage

• Drain misuse: Oil, grease, hair, soap, and tissue paper can all build up in drains, causing a blockage

• Corrosion or damage: Over time, metal pipes can corrode or become damaged, which can cause blockage

• Regular maintenance: It's a good idea to get your drains cleaned every couple of years. This will remove any potential obstructions or build-up of material that can cause blockages

How long does it take to unblock drains?

The exact time it takes to unblock a drain will depend on various factors, including the severity of the blockage and the method used.

That said, a minor drain blockage that can be fixed with rodding should take a checked tradesperson no longer than an hour. A larger blockage that needs jetting to be cleared will typically take around two hours.

Does bleach unclog drains?

No, bleach isn't an effective drain unblocker. It won't dissolve common drain clogs of hair, food, and grease. Plus, it could damage your drains and pipes.

What do plumbers use to unblock drains?

Plumbers and drain clearance firms both carry a range of tools that can help unblock drains. Plumbers generally carry several different kinds of drain snakes (also known as drain augers) and hydro-jetting equipment.

How much should it cost to unblock a drain?

As a general guide, you can expect to pay £85 for drain rodding or £185 for drain jetting.

The cost of unclogging a drain can vary widely, depending on the type of blockage, where it's situated, and ultimately the unblocking method needed.

What's the cheapest way to unblock a drain?

Try boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar — or a plunger.

What's included in a CCTV drain survey?

Inspection with a camera, basic findings, and (optionally) a full report for more complex issues or homebuyer checks.

How often should I clean my drains?

It's a good idea to have your drains cleaned every 2–3 years to prevent a buildup of dirt and grime, helping to avoid costly issues further down the line.

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