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Drain Unblocking

Clearing blocked drains, gullies and waste pipes at homes and businesses, then explaining what caused the blockage so it is less likely to come back.

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About drain unblocking

Drain unblocking is the core of what Clear Drainage does. A blocked drain can stop a kitchen, bathroom or whole property from working, and when it backs up outside it can spread dirty water across paths, patios and driveways. The aim of every visit is simple: get the water flowing again, find out why it stopped, and leave you with clear advice.

Most blockages sit somewhere between the fitting you are using and the point where your drain meets the public sewer. That could be the trap under a sink, a bend in a soil pipe, an inspection chamber in the garden or a section of underground pipe you cannot see. Finding the right point matters, because clearing the symptom without reaching the cause is how the same drain ends up blocked again a few weeks later.

Depending on what we find, a blockage may be cleared with hand rods, mechanical tools or high-pressure water jetting. If the drain keeps blocking, or there are signs of damage such as roots or displaced joints, a CCTV drain survey can show exactly what is happening inside the pipe before anyone suggests repairs.

We cover domestic and commercial properties across Southampton and the surrounding area, from terraced houses with shared drain runs to shops, restaurants and managed buildings.

Signs you may need help

  • Water rising in an outside gully or inspection chamber
  • Sinks, baths or showers draining slowly or not at all
  • Toilets filling higher than usual or slow to clear when flushed
  • Gurgling from plugholes or the toilet after water drains elsewhere
  • Unpleasant smells from drains, gullies or manhole covers
  • Water or waste backing up at the lowest point in the property

Common causes

  • Wet wipes, sanitary products and kitchen roll flushed down toilets
  • Fat, oil and grease poured down kitchen sinks, which hardens in the pipe
  • Food waste, coffee grounds and rice collecting at bends
  • Hair and soap residue in bathroom waste pipes
  • Leaves, silt and debris washed into outside gullies
  • Tree roots entering through cracks or joints in older pipes
  • Collapsed, cracked or displaced sections of pipe

What our approach means for you

  • The blockage is traced to its source rather than just pushed further down the pipe.
  • You are told what caused the problem in plain English, with practical advice on preventing it.
  • Where a drain looks damaged, you can choose whether to investigate further with a CCTV survey.
  • The method is matched to the drain, from simple rodding to high-pressure jetting.

How it works

What you can expect when you contact Clear Drainage about drain unblocking.

  1. Tell us about the problem

    Call or send an enquiry with your postcode and what you are seeing: which fittings are affected, whether water is rising outside and how urgent it is.

  2. Locate the blockage

    We check the affected fittings and lift inspection chambers where accessible to work out where the drain is blocked and which section is affected.

  3. Clear the drain

    The blockage is cleared using the most suitable method for the pipe (rodding, mechanical clearance or water jetting), and the drain is flushed through.

  4. Test and explain

    We run water through the system to confirm it is flowing, then explain what caused the blockage and whether anything else needs looking at.

Drain Unblocking across Southampton and the surrounding area

We provide drain unblocking throughout Southampton and the surrounding area within roughly 60 miles. Choose your area for local information.

Also covering

Related services

Emergency Drain Unblocking

Urgent help when a blocked drain is overflowing, sewage is backing up or a property can no longer use its toilets and sinks.

Drain Jetting

High-pressure water jetting to clear stubborn blockages and scour away fat, silt, scale and debris from the inside of drain pipes.

Blocked Drains

Help with blocked outside drains, gullies, inspection chambers and underground drain runs: found, cleared and explained.

CCTV Drain Surveys

Camera inspections that show the condition of a drain from the inside, so recurring problems and damage can be diagnosed accurately.

Drain Repairs

Repairs for cracked, broken, root-damaged and displaced drains, based on what a camera survey actually shows.

Helpful guides

Drain Unblocking FAQs

What should I do while I wait for a blocked drain to be cleared?

Stop using the sinks, toilets, showers and appliances that drain into the blocked pipe, including washing machines and dishwashers. If water is rising outside, keep children and pets away from it and avoid lifting heavy manhole covers yourself.

Is it my responsibility to unblock my drain?

In England, you are usually responsible for drains that serve only your property and sit within its boundary. Drains shared with neighbours, and pipes beyond your boundary, are generally the responsibility of the local water company. If you are unsure, we can help you work out where the blockage is before any work is done.

Can you tell me what caused the blockage?

Yes. Once a drain is cleared we explain what we found (whether that is wipes, fat, roots or a problem with the pipe itself) and whether there is anything you can do to stop it happening again.

How much does drain unblocking cost?

The cost depends on where the blockage is, how easy the drain is to access, how severe it is and what equipment is needed. Get in touch with details of the problem and we will explain the likely cost before any work starts.

What if my drain keeps blocking?

Repeated blockages usually point to something inside the pipe, such as a build-up of fat, root ingress, a dip in the pipe or a damaged joint. A CCTV drain survey can show the cause so it can be dealt with properly rather than cleared again and again.

Need help with drain unblocking?

Call Clear Drainage or send us a few details about the problem. We will explain what is likely to be involved before any work starts.

Call 023 8112 3123 Request a quote
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