Drain Unblocking in London
When water won't drain, you need it fixed fast. Our drain unblocking service clears blockages in sinks, toilets, showers, and external drains across London. We use professional equipment to not just clear the blockage but to properly clean the pipe, reducing the chance of quick recurrence.
Common Signs You Need Drain Unblocking
- Complete blockages stopping all flow from fixtures
- Partial blockages causing slow drainage despite DIY attempts
- Fat and grease buildup in kitchen drains causing recurring problems
- Hair and soap scum accumulating in bathroom drains
- Foreign objects accidentally flushed or dropped down drains
- Water backing up through other fixtures when you flush or drain
How We Unblock Drains
We start with mechanical rodding to break through the blockage. This uses professional drain rods to physically break up the obstruction and restore flow. For grease or scale buildup, we follow up with high-pressure jetting which scours the pipe walls clean. The goal is restoring full flow, not just poking a hole through the blockage.
Our approach ensures lasting results. By properly clearing and cleaning the pipe, we significantly reduce the chance of the blockage returning within weeks—a common problem with DIY methods that only partially clear the obstruction.
Types of Blockages We Clear
Kitchen Drain Blockages
Kitchen drains typically block due to fat, grease, and food waste accumulation. Even with careful habits, grease gradually builds on pipe walls. We use jetting to cut through grease and restore full bore flow.
Bathroom Drain Blockages
Hair is the primary culprit in bathroom drains, often combining with soap scum to form stubborn blockages. We clear these using a combination of mechanical methods and jetting.
Toilet Blockages
Toilets block due to excessive paper, wet wipes, sanitary products, or objects accidentally flushed. We clear toilet blockages using appropriate tools that won't damage the pan or waste pipe.
External Drain Blockages
External drains can block with leaves, silt, and debris. Root intrusion is also common, especially in older properties with clay pipes. We clear external blockages and can investigate root problems with CCTV.
London-Specific Considerations
London's older clay pipes often have rough internal surfaces where grease and debris accumulate more easily than in modern plastic pipes. Many properties have pipework that's been modified over decades, with varying pipe materials and diameters. Modern plastic retrofits can have poor connections that create debris traps.
We've seen every type of pipework the city has to offer, from original Victorian drainage to modern installations. Our engineers understand how different systems behave and the most effective methods for each.