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Problem Guides

Blocked Drains

Slow draining sinks, baths, showers or toilets

17 free DIY guides · 24 total

A slow-draining sink or a bath that won't empty is usually a simple blockage — hair, grease, or soap scum — that you can clear in ten minutes without calling anyone. More serious blockages further down the drainage system, or a manhole that is backing up, may need drain rods or a professional jetter. These guides cover every common drain blockage scenario in UK homes including bathroom wastes, kitchen sink grease traps, toilet blockages, outside inspection chambers, and how to tell whether the blockage is on your side of the boundary or a shared drain that requires your water company to fix.

Most popular
1

How much does it cost to unblock a drain in the UK?

UK prices for clearing blocked sinks, toilets, and underground drains — what affects the cost and when you need a specialist.

2

Smell coming from plughole or shower drain

Bad odour rising from sink, bath or shower drain

3

Slow draining sink or bath

Water pools and drains slowly

🔍 Narrow it down

Which drain is blocked?

All guides
Bath not draining — how to clear the blockageFree
Bathwater sitting in the tub and not draining away· 20–45 min
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Bathroom basin draining slowly — how to clear itFree
Bathroom washbasin taking minutes to drain after use· 15–30 min
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Blocked bath drainFree
Bath not draining or draining very slowly· 15–30 min
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Blocked outside drain or inspection chamber
Drain backing up in garden, patio, or inspection chamber — clearing a blockage in the underground drain· 30 min–2 hrs
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Blocked toilet — how to clear it yourselfFree
Clearing a toilet blockage without a plumber· 15–45 min
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Clearing a blocked outside drain
Manhole or gully drain blocked or overflowing· 15–30 min
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Drain Making Gurgling NoiseFree
Gurgling sounds from sink, bath or toilet drain — especially when another fitting is used· 30–90 min
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Drain jetting vs rodding — which do you need?
Understanding the difference before calling a drainage company· 30–120 min
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Drain or manhole cover smelling outside the house
Bad smell from drains or sewage odour around outside manholes· 30 min–2 hrs
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Drain smells bad — finding and fixing the causeFree
Bad odours from drains inside or outside the home· 20–60 min
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Gurgling noise from drains and plugholeFree
Bubbling or gurgling sound when draining water· 20–40 min
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How much does it cost to unblock a drain in the UK?
UK prices for clearing blocked sinks, toilets, and underground drains — what affects the cost and when you need a specialist.· 30 mins – 2 hours
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How to Clear a Blocked Outside DrainFree
Outdoor drain cover full of water, overflowing, or water backing up into the garden· 1–3 hrs
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Kitchen Drain Blocked with Fat or GreaseFree
Kitchen sink draining very slowly or completely blocked — caused by fat and grease build-up· 30–90 min
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Kitchen sink blocked or draining slowlyFree
Kitchen sink water not draining — standing water in sink· 15–45 min
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Kitchen sink draining slowly or completely blockedFree
Clearing a blocked kitchen sink drain — fat, food, and grease blockages· 20–45 min
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Multiple drains blocked — main drain issue
Several outlets draining slowly or not at all simultaneously· 1–4 hrs
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Outside drain blocked — how to clear it
Inspection chamber overflowing or outside drain not clearing· 30–90 min
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Shower drain blocked with hair — how to clear itFree
Removing a hair blockage from a shower drain quickly· 10–20 min
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Slow draining sink or bathFree
Water pools and drains slowly· 15–30 min
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Slow draining sink — how to clear it yourselfFree
Kitchen or bathroom basin draining slowly· 20–30 min
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Smell coming from plughole or shower drainFree
Bad odour rising from sink, bath or shower drain· 15–30 min
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Unblocking a kitchen sinkFree
Kitchen sink draining slowly or completely blocked· 15–45 min
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Unblocking a slow or blocked bath drainFree
Bath emptying slowly or not at all· 15–30 min
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