Blocked Drains

A question about : Blocked Drains

Hi All,

Has anyone an idea of the average cost of unblocking a drain. We have just found out the drain in our garden is blocked.. i mean smelly blocked , and we need to have it cleared.

As we are totally new to this anyone have a average cost of getting this done?

Really appreciate the time for reading and thanks.

Best answers:

• Hi,
  First try unblock it yourself, if you don`t have rods try using a mop.
  It will be cheaper weekdays. When comparing prices check if it includes high pressure jetting . Some companies advertise say Ј45 then say rods wont do it ( they may or may not be telling the truth) then charge extra for high pressure jetting machine.
  Anyhow, to answer the question , if the blockage is cleared within the hour expect to pay Ј50- 80 including high pressure jetting ( if reqd) and VAT.
  It may be possible to find someone to clear it for as little as Ј45 if you ring around.
  In extreme cases such as where tree roots are causing the problem or the drain has collapsed expect to pay a lot more but it might be worth checking with your insurance if you are covered. Its also possible, but very unlikely, that the drain could be unblocked for free by the council if shared by many properties.
  If your in leeds ring me!
• Thanks gazza975526570 and bestyman for your replies.
  We are not looking to use the house insurance, as we are trying to keep the costing down in the long term..
  We are in Sefton, Merseyside, so sadly not in Leeds Bestyman, thanks anyway.
  Well just found some drain clearing equipement with screwfix, for around Ј20, a face mask! Ј10, and overalls and gloves for Ј8 , I have a jet wash, So looks like I may have a smelly job on my hands.. pardon the pun.
• Let me know if you want any advice re drain unblocking.
• Hi All,
  Its been awhile since I posted this but its only fair I let you know the outcome. We found out where had cover through homebase for the drains which was Ј11 for the year, so we used them and its all sorted. and been great since fingers crossed.. Thanks again to you all
• T.P.S I don't think you are allowed to post here on behalf of any company without permission.
  It might be worth just emailing them and asking
• Hi,
  I have a blocked drain apparently...
  When my washing machine empties, it comes up the sink - disgusting I realise!
  I spoke to the plumber who plumbed our new bathroom in who said he has cleared as far as he can (pipes under the sink) but fears that there is a blockage further down, meaning that the washing machine waste is going down the pipes, hitting the blockage and coming back up again but unfortunatley up into the sink...
  Thios is confirmed by the smell when it empties and also the clothes coming out of the wash, marked with dark lines on...
  Really cannot afford the cost of getting someone out (Ј80/hour min)...
  How should I go about fixing it, or at least attempting ,myself?
  Many thanks
• Many thanks for that prompt advice I will have to have a go. I have a Vax machine, not sure if this is what you mean?
  My plumber (who clearly doesn't do drainage!) suggested i might need to get some acid beginning with 's' from a 'proper' plumbing supplier. It put me off slightly when he said you have to be VERY careful as it is 100% acidic and will not only burn away my skin, but also the coating on my stainless steel sink! I wondered therefore, what this would do to the pipes after this? Although I guess it is made for this purpose?
  With regard to the last comment, there is a relatively short pipe running from my sink/washing machine down to the main downpipe (soil?) so would guess that if the first option was not successful, I would need to look at clearing this. I already know that there are no blockages beyond this as I have checked the manhole in the garden...
  Thanks again for your help
  Regards,
  Paul
• Does your household insurance cover blocked drains?
• Thanks Bestyman, I will give this a try when I get round to it... Currently off my feet following a knee op!
  Thanks,
  Paul
• Hey Everyone,
  I had a blocked drain - the rules have now changed - you're only responsible for the blockage within the boundary of your household. If its a blocked drains caused by the street then its the responsibility of the local water authority.
  I rang a company called Lanes for Drains (they seem to have depots across the Country) and they offered free advice and had a no call out charge. They provided me with the info above. And, their cost to unblock a drain starts at Ј80. It sounded quite reasonable.
  It worth checking them out ! My blocked drain turned out to be a problem on the street. It's also worth asking your neighbour if they're experiencing the same problems.
  Andy
• Not sure i understand the problem with him detailing his charges.
  if you go look he is a lot less than other drain cleaning services especially compared to the rip-off national franchise who supposedly offer you a discount on future services - what a joke we use to have one of their franchises, also a lot less than one of the National companies which is not franchised and is owner managed.
  It beats me why any householder uses any of these options when they have the option to use a local small business who will usually do a far superior job.
  Our pricing is a fixed 1st hour rate plus a reduced hourly rate thereafter, it includes all standard required kit ie camera, hp jetting electromechanical, and most importantly my knowledge which is substantially more than someone who was working on a shop floor in a factory last week, and not to mention my honesty.
  But I don't cover blockages across the UK, but I do get asked to travel all around for my cctv reports.
• GoEnviro the problem with him detailing his charges are exactly the same as your post, you're both advertising which is against Mse rules (perhaps you and Blackpool are the same person).
  I've marked your post as Spam.