What causes most blocked drains?
Most blockages come from grease, hair, food and things that should not go down the pipe, because pipes are narrow. Wipes, nappies and cotton buds are common. Leaves and silt block outside drains.
Tree roots and broken pipes cause trouble too. Because the cause differs, the fix does as well. Always look for the likely cause first.
Warning signs your drain is blocked
Slow draining water is the first sign, since blockages build up slowly. You may also hear gurgling noises or smell bad odours. Water may rise in the sink or toilet.
If water backs up in more than one place, the blockage is probably in a shared pipe. Outside, a gully may overflow. These signs mean you should act soon.
DIY methods: what works and what doesn’t
A plunger works for many sink and bath blockages. A hair tool pulls out hair, while a small hand auger can reach further. Hot water with a little washing-up liquid can shift light grease.
Harsh chemicals can harm pipes and skin, and they often fail on solid blockages. Never mix cleaning products. Never use boiling water on plastic pipes, since it can soften them.
When to call a professional
Call a drainage engineer if more than one fitting is affected. Call too if a blockage keeps returning, or if water comes up from a drain outside. These signs suggest a problem in the main pipe.
A professional has the tools and the training to deal with deeper faults, whereas DIY tools only reach so far. Also call one if you smell sewage or see damp.
What happens when a drainage engineer visits
The engineer finds the blockage and clears it, often with rods or a high-pressure water jet. They may use a camera to check the pipe. Then they explain what they found.
Ask them to show you the results. If the pipe is damaged, ask about repair options. Our drain cleaning and unblocking page covers the service.
Preventing blocked drains
Keep fat, wipes and food scraps out of the drain, since they cause most blockages. Use strainers over plugholes. Clear gullies of leaves in autumn.
A short routine each month helps, because small habits stop build-up. Our guide to drain maintenance explains what to do.
Getting a quote
If you need help, you can request a free quote. We will pass your request to a local drainage engineer. Ask what the price covers before you agree.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read How to Unblock a Toilet: Safe Methods and When to Stop. You can also read Drain Maintenance: How to Keep Your Drains Clear All Year and Kitchen Drain Problems: Causes, Fixes and Easy Prevention, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Drain Jetting vs Rodding: Which Method Is Right for You?, Outside Drain Blocked: What to Do and Who Is Responsible, 8 Common Causes of Blocked Outside Drains and What to Do, 10 Plumbing Myths That Cost UK Homeowners Serious Money and Blocked Sink: Every Common Cause and How to Fix Each One. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our blocked drain guide first, or see Blocked Drains in Newcastle upon Tyne and Blocked Drains in Camden. You can also see Blocked Toilets in Birkenhead, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
