Who pays to unblock a drain?

Usually the householder pays for a pipe that only serves their property. If the blockage is in a shared drain or a public sewer, the sewerage company normally clears it for free.

How do plumbers clear a blocked drain?

Most blockages are cleared with drain rods or a high-pressure water jet. If it keeps coming back, a CCTV camera survey can show roots, collapsed sections or a build-up of fat.

What causes most blocked drains?

Wet wipes, fat and grease from cooking, hair, and tree roots getting into old clay pipes are the most common causes.

Blocked drain or toilet backing up?

Covering Bromley, Sidcup, Bexley and Dartford.

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Covering Bromley, Sidcup, Bexley and Dartford

Signs it's a blocked drain

A blocked drain usually shows up as slow-draining water, gurgling or bad smells, and it tends to get worse if left.

Water rising in the shower tray, bath or sink when you use something else
Gurgling from plugholes or the toilet
Bad smells from outside gullies or inspection covers
The outside manhole cover lifting or water pooling around it

What not to do

Don't keep flushing a toilet that's rising, and don't pour boiling water or mixed chemical drain cleaners down a blocked pipe: they can damage plastic pipework and splash back. A plunger is fine on a sink or toilet; anything beyond that is best left to a plumber with rods or a jet.

Blocked drains by town

We arrange help with blocked drains across all four towns below; each page has local tips for that area.

How it works

You call or request a callback, a local plumber who covers your area rings you, and you agree a price with them before any work starts.

Call the number on this page. The line takes a few details: what's wrong, how urgent it is and your postcode.
Your job goes to independent local plumbers who cover your area.
A plumber calls you back to talk it through and agree a price before any work starts.

About the plumber

[Placeholder: the plumber's name, Gas Safe registration number, Checkatrade or Which? Trusted Traders profile and insurance details will be added here once a local plumber is signed up.]

Questions people ask

Who pays to unblock a drain?: Usually the householder pays for a pipe that only serves their property. If the blockage is in a shared drain or a public sewer, the sewerage company normally clears it for free.
How do plumbers clear a blocked drain?: Most blockages are cleared with drain rods or a high-pressure water jet. If it keeps coming back, a CCTV camera survey can show roots, collapsed sections or a build-up of fat.
What causes most blocked drains?: Wet wipes, fat and grease from cooking, hair, and tree roots getting into old clay pipes are the most common causes.

Ready to get it sorted?

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Areas and services

Pick your town or the problem you have; every page is one tap from here.