There is no standard price

Nobody can give you a true price until they know what is wrong, because a figure quoted blind is a guess. The cost depends on a few real factors. You can check each one yourself.

We quote a fixed price, agreed before any work begins. We do not charge a call-out fee. You describe the problem, and we give you a firm figure. You are free to accept or refuse it.

Signs your drain is blocked

A toilet that will not flush is a common sign. Water may also rise around drain covers outside the house, and a foul smell points the same way.

If you see these signs, act quickly, because a small blockage is easier to clear than one that has built up. Our guide on how to clear a slow draining toilet covers the early stage.

What drives the cost

Several factors change the price. For example:

How complex the blockage is. A soft mix of fat and soap in a short run is simple. Compacted debris, roots or repeat blockages take more work.
Access to the drain. An open chamber in a garden is easy to reach. A chamber under a patio or inside a building takes more time.
Blockage or structural fault. Clearing an obstruction is one job. A cracked or collapsed pipe needs repair, as our article on collapsed drain repair explains.
Time on site. Some drains clear quickly, while others need a second pass to scour the walls.
Whether a survey is needed. If the cause is unclear, a camera finds it. See what changes the price of a CCTV survey.

How the work is done

An engineer usually clears the drain by jetting or rodding. Jetting uses water, while rodding uses flexible rods. After clearing, the engineer flushes the pipe through with water.

A camera survey helps when the problem is hard to locate. It shows the cause before work starts. Therefore the work is shorter. You can read how CCTV drain inspections work for the detail. In Enfield, our CCTV drain survey service covers this.

What causes a blocked sink or toilet

Soap, grease, oil and fat cause most blockages. Leaves, silt and dirt add to them. Because each new item sticks to the last, the blockage grows and gets harder to clear.

Structural faults also cause blockages, since subsidence and tree roots can damage pipes. If you are unsure who must pay for a fault, see who is responsible for blocked sewage.

Ways to keep costs down

Prevention is usually the cheapest fix. Rinse sink drains with hot water after use. Keep fat and wipes out of the system, because they are the usual culprits.

A regular clean also helps, and our guide on how often drains should be cleaned gives a sensible pattern. If you cannot wait, however, read about emergency drain unblocking. We also run a drain unblocker service.

Some owners want to try a DIY fix first, and our guide to the best way to unblock a toilet without a plumber is a sensible start. For a drain further down the line, see how to unblock a blocked sewer pipe. Our full North London guide to clearing a blocked drain goes deeper.

Get a fixed price

We work across North London, for example blocked drains in Wembley, drain unblocking in Cheshunt and drain unblocking in Potters Bar. Browse our blocked drains services for more.

To get a firm figure, request a fixed-price quote online.