Most blockages are quick and cheap to clear - but a collapsed pipe is a different story. Here is what drain unblocking typically costs, how to tell which kind you have, and who actually foots the bill.
A simple blockage is usually £80-£150. If it needs jetting, expect £150-£350. A CCTV survey to find a deeper problem adds £100-£250.
Typical UK Prices
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Plunge / rod a simple blockage | £80-£150 |
| High-pressure water jetting | £150-£350 |
| Clear an outside drain or gully | £90-£200 |
| CCTV drain survey | £100-£250 |
| Descale / remove tree roots | £200-£500 |
| Excavate a collapsed drain | £500-£2,000 |
Is It an Emergency?
- Sewage backing up into the house - call now, this is a health risk
- Every sink, bath and toilet draining slowly at once - likely a main drain blockage
- A single slow sink - usually a local clog you can tackle yourself first
- Gurgling drains and bad smells - a partial blockage worth booking before it fully blocks
Who Pays - You or the Water Company?
- Inside your boundary
- Drains within your property line are your responsibility - and your cost.
- Shared or lateral drains
- A drain serving more than one home is usually the water company's to fix, often free.
- Not sure?
- Ask the plumber to confirm where the blockage is before you agree to pay for it.
Before You Call
Don't flush or run taps if waste is backing up - you'll only add to the overflow.
For a single fixture, a few minutes with a plunger often clears a simple clog for free.
Knowing where the manhole is lets the plumber get to work the moment they arrive.
How to Avoid the Next Blockage
- Never pour fat or cooking oil down the sink - it sets like concrete
- Use a drain strainer to catch hair and food scraps
- Only flush the three Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper
- Run hot water through the kitchen sink after washing up
What Causes Most Blockages
Almost every blockage we clear comes down to a handful of culprits. Knowing them helps you prevent the next one - and judge whether it's a quick clear or something structural.
- Fat, oil and grease
- Poured down the sink warm, it sets solid in the pipe and catches everything else. The number-one kitchen blockage.
- Wipes and hygiene products
- "Flushable" wipes don't break down like paper. They snag and build up fast - the top toilet blockage.
- Hair and soap scum
- Bathroom basins and showers clog gradually as hair binds with soap. A strainer prevents most of it.
- Tree roots and collapses
- Outside, roots invade joints and ground movement cracks pipes. These recur until the pipe itself is fixed.
When a Camera Survey Pays Off
If a drain blocks repeatedly no matter how often it's cleared, you're treating the symptom. A camera survey shows the actual cause so the repair is targeted rather than guessed at.
- The same drain blocks again within weeks of clearing
- Several fittings drain slowly at once
- Smells, soft patches or sinkholes in the garden
- You're buying a home - see our CCTV drain survey cost guide
Could You Clear It Yourself First?
For a single slow sink or toilet, a few minutes with a plunger or a drain rod clears most simple clogs for nothing. Stop, though, if waste is backing up across multiple fittings - that points to the main drain, and it's a job for a professional before it overflows.
Shared Drains and Your Water Company
Since 2011, most shared and lateral drains in England and Wales transferred to the water companies. A blockage in a drain serving more than one property is therefore often theirs to clear, frequently at no cost to you. Always ask the engineer exactly where the blockage sits before you agree to pay for the work.
Prices are typical 2026 UK ranges. Shared or collapsed drains can cost more and may involve your water company - ask your plumber who is responsible before paying. For wider call-out rates, see our emergency plumber cost guide, or get an emergency plumber on the way now.