Blocked drain in London? Get it unblocked FAST!
As the premier drainage service provider in London, we unblock drains, toilets and sinks. Householders relying on us delivering good old honest value for money drainage services. Our skilled London drainage technicians use the latest equipment to deliver the best service and prices.
Drainage solutions for London commercial and business customers. We offer the very best value for money service tailored to business customers. So the question is, why choose anyone else? Our expert London engineers are ready and waiting to deliver the very best service for you.

9.76 out of 10


It's easier for you to buy a great service when you're informed. People in London trust us. Businesses in London trust us. With thousands of genuine and independently verified reviews from real customers, our trusted status shines through; our service is second to none.

London Blocked Drain Clearance, CCTV Surveys & Repair


London drain unblocking
With thousands of rave reviews from satisfied customers, look no further than Happy Drains for all your London area drainage needs. Whether in London or the home counties, our network of engineers will get to you FAST.
Our engineers receive regular training to ensure we deliver to you the very best service. Experience and skill plus investment in the best equipment and latest technology helps us to to get your drains fixed good and fixed fast, simply the most highly rated drain and sewer services in the London area.
How much does it cost to clear a London blocked drain?
Best value and service guaranteed for a London residential dwelling private drain unblock during normal working time. Our price includes jetting, unlike some London drain companies who'll try rods first then charge you extra for jetting.
Blocks of flats and commercial properties depend on complexities.
Please call us for a no-obligation quotation.
You may find lower prices elsewhere, but many London drainage firms will pile on the extras.If it sounds too good to be true it is!If you're comparing prices, make sure you get a fixed price including jetting as some London drain companies charge extra for jetting which we think is wrong.
Call 020 7870 3205
or our office mobile
07824 757572
All London CCTV surveys include our state of the art Drainify reporting software. Check out the demo:
How long does it take to clear a London blocked drain?
The average London domestic blockage is fat and grease based. To unblock this type of job takes roughly 1-2 hours. Unblocking usually involves rodding or a snake to remove the blockage. For more stubborn blockages high pressure jetting may be the only option.
Best value and service guaranteed for a London residential dwelling during normal working time. Our price includes jetting, unlike some competitors who'll try rods first then charge you extra for jetting.
Who's the best drain company in London?
We'll let you decide that, but just take a look at the reviews that drain clearing companies receive from their customers and you'll see that Happy Drains are right up there as a leading provider of drain unblocking and drain repair services. We have thousands of excellent reviews from very satisfied customers. Here's just a few of them:

Waist water drain blocked
"The whole experience was 1st class. They did everything they said they. Jason was very friendly and polite. "
Clearing a blocked manhole
"Tommy was excellent. Rang and got a same day appointment. Phoned ahead to confirm arrival time. Unlocked the drain quickly with a rod but followed up by jetting the drain to make sure it was entirely clear. Provided a number of good tips on how to avoid future blockage. Tommy was polite friendly and very efficient."
Kitchen drain Blocked
"I had a big block on my kitchen drain. My kitchen is the result of a garage conversion with long drains and hard access. Happy drains came after a few hours from my call and fixed the problem. They had to open an access on the laundry and charged a reasonable amount to do that. Very happy and would call them again!"
Drain unblocking
"Excellent company to deal with. Polite, friendly and reasonably priced. A credit to the drain industry! Will certainly be recommending them and will be using them again. Special mention and thanks to Josh the expert drain man. Finally, paying them online (following receipt of invoice) was so easy, if you use the weblink they send you. Why can't all trades companies be like this?!"
Happy drains made a happy customer
"Had a blocked down pipe that was causing gutter water to back up. Called Happy Drains on Friday afternoon and they sent someone out on Monday morning. Called prior to arrival and once he arrived he explained what he was going to do and what issues may transpire. Worked quickly and the drain was cleared in no time. Will definitely use Happy drains again if I ever have a drain problem."
Is your London property served by a septic tank or a sewage treatment plant?
If so, are you aware of all the London area environmental and building regulations?
More importantly, do you know if your London system is compliant with the new regulatory reform called the Small Sewage Discharge General Binding Rules?
Click the button to find out more...
London drain responsibility
It's not always obvious who's responsible for a particular section of London drain or sewer pipe, but here's our quick guide to establishing who's responsible for London drains when they get blocked or need repair.
Who's responsible for blocked London drains?
If the drain serves exclusively your property and the blockage in the drain is with your property boundary then that is the owner's responsibility. If it's shared or beyond the property boundary then it’s probably the responsibility of Thames Water. Our diagram below makes this much clearer. If in doubt, please give us a call for advice.
Who do I contact about a blocked London drain?
Sometimes London drain issues can only be successfully be resolved by an industry professional. At Happy Drains, we're able to restore free-flowing drains to your home or workplace however serious the blockage. Give Happy Drains a call and our team of friendly, professional technicians can get your London drains back in full free flowing working order, from sinks, to toilets, to the main drains – we have skills and leading equipment to restore flow fast.
Do Thames Water unblock London drains?
Thames Water will only clear drains that are their responsibility i.e. shared London drains or beyond your London property boundary. See our diagram below to establish whether your drain could be shared.
How do I contact Thames Water for a shared London drain problem?
If you think you have a shared London drain blockage or problem, you can contact Thames Water via their websites, but check the diagram below first:
If we find the drain is shared and a Thames Water issue we will charge for our site visit and we will refer you to them for further investigation and possible refund of charges.
Diagnosing blocked London drains
It's not always obvious if a drain is blocked or why it got blocked in the first place, but here's a few pointers to set you in the right direction.
How do you know if a drain is blocked?
An obvious indication that a London drain is blocked is a slow running sink or toilet. Sometimes the toilet over fills or the water even appears to have been sucked out the pan. That is a vacuum caused by a blocked drain downstream of the toilet. Water seepage in the yard or garden is also a likely indication.
Why do drains get blocked?
Never put fats down a London drain! Over time, this will always result in drain blockages. Likewise, paper towels, wet wipes & sanitary products should not be flushed down as they don’t breakdown and result in blockages. Too much paper and cat litter can also be the cause of blocked drains. Remember it’s a toilet not a bin!
Why does my drain keep getting blocked?
There are many factors, but something you need to consider first is professional London drain cleaning. This is because DIY solutions often just don’t work longer term. There could be underlying problems and further investigations are strongly recommended when experiencing regular drain blockages. Cracked or misaligned drains, root damage or accidental damage are common London drain problems that a professional company such as Happy Drains can help you with.
Can a blocked drain cause damp?
No, is the simple answer for a drain in good condition, but broken or cracked drains can cause damp. Drains are designed to be watertight. The water would seep out of a crack or failed joint to cause damp or numerous consequential damage issues. A flooded and overflowing drain will cause damp issues if left unresolved. Our CCTV survey can find all of these problems.
Repairing broken or damaged London drains
Sometimes London drains become blocked or leak due to damage which can result from many causes.
How do you repair a broken London drain?
The site condition would dictate the requirements, but the two main methods are either excavation or no dig technology such as a sleeve inserted within the drain. It depends which option is practical and cost effective based on appropriate investigations. A drainage professional would determine that after visiting site and undertaking a London CCTV drain survey.
Call 020 7870 3205
or our office mobile
07824 757572
All London CCTV surveys include our state of the art Drainify reporting software. Check out the demo:
DIY tips for unblocking a London drain
If you have the time and would rather spend your money on the more enjoyable things in life then we fully support DIY unblocking of London drains and here's our guide to help you with that. However, when all else fails, get in touch and rest assured our experts will resolve the problem FAST.
What can I use to unblock a London drain?
Try these tips and tricks for unblocking a London drain yourself:
- If it’s a slow running sink, try hot water or a proprietary chemical from a DIY store.
- Hire a set of rods, always try to push the blockage down to the next manhole or drain downstream.
- If it's a blocked gully , it might be simply leaves blocking the grill. Get a broom handle and scrape the gully grill, that might just to the trick.
How do you clear a London drain downpipe ?
If you can safely dismantle the downpipe, it may be easier to give it a go and clear by hand. If that doesn't work or it's not safe, it may need high pressure jetting or an electromechanical snake. Give us a call and we'll give you the best advice.
What kind of vinegar unclogs London drains?
The acid in white wine vinegar can break down fats. Pour some baking soda into the sink then a bottle distilled white vinegar into the London drain. Don't be surprised by the audible reaction that occurs. Then poor hot water into the drain, then repeat. This is best for a slow running London drains.
How do you clear a clogged drain at home?
For a sink, shower or toilet boiling water is a simple and effective method. Simply boil water in a kettle pour it carefully directly down the drain. Boiling water is one of the most effective London home remedies melting fats and grease, loosening debris to restore flow.
How do you clear a blocked sink U-bend?
The U-shaped pipe beneath a sink is designed to use water as a seal to stop smells and drainage gasses from drifting back up and out into your home. The shape of the trap also catches heavy debris and if this is allowed to build up it'll result in blockages. It's easy to clear it, and a lot cheaper than calling out a London drain company:
- Empty the sink with a bucket, take the water and pour it down the WC.
- Put the bucket in place under the trap.
- Loosen the trap by undoing the plastic screw coupler, remove it and let the water out into the bucket.
- Take a metal coat hanger and run it through the pipe and the trap to dislodge any debris.
Unblocking a London drain with a plunger
We recommend every London home should have one. The plunger one of the best home DIY tools for unblocking sinks and toilets. The toilet plunger is the bigger version. A sink plunger can be small or large, the bigger the plunger creates more plunge power – the magic ingredient.
For sinks, remove the metal strainer in the drain prior to plunging. The secret lies in creating a good seal between the plunger and sink or WC. Get the plunger in place and then get to work, with fast, sharp pumping motions. For toilets, the rubber disc must not be smaller than the U-bend. This is vital to successfully unblock a London toilet. Simply push the plunger up and down fast and hey presto.
Unblock a London drain with a hand driven snake
This simply works by pushing and twisting a thin snaking steel wire into the small-bore pipe work that serves sinks, showers and London baths. The cable is twisted and propelled forward by hand and when it hits the obstruction it dislodges the debris to restore the flow. This task takes a little time and perseverance, you will have to remove the trap before attempting to clear and drain using this technique (see our guide above) but make sure you place a bucket under the trap to catch the water.
How do you unclog a London drain without a snake?
Yes, the use of boiling hot water is often effective, and chemical drain cleaner can be also used. Kinetic force can also be effective, such as a water ram or a simple plunger. This uses the transfer of energy to push the blockage along the pipe. This is effective in a sealed system where there are no connections, so the force is focused forward to dislodge the blockage.
Using soda or cola to unblock a drain
You probably have a bottle or two around your home and it's perfect for unblocking drains. To be effective, your favourite bottle of fizzy pop should be at room temperature and should be full fat, not the diet or lite types. You may recall from science lessons at school what happens to a tooth if you leave in a fizzy drink. The same corrosive quality of your favourite cola does the same to a blockage if poured down the drain and left for an hour or two. Give this method a go. It's a little eco-friendlier compared to a dangerous chemical drain cleaner.
London CCTV Drain Surveys
Sometimes the only way to get to the bottom of a London drain problem is to go inside the pipe with a camera and for that, Happy Drains are the no.1 choice of partner to provide such specialist services.
What is a London CCTV drain survey?
A London CCTV drain survey is a detailed examination of your drainage system. The survey will determine the structural condition and the serviceability of the drainpipe. During the inspection we will note all defects and issues to allow you to understand how the drain works and its condition. We use high-tech CCTV cameras that are propelled through the drain to identify and report any issues that might be present.
What is a CCTV drain survey report?
Any professional drain survey should come complete with a written technical report using industry standard software. This details information such as the date, manhole numbers from & to, size of pipe, pipe material, shape, direction, distance (m), lengths, remarks and pictures of relevant observation.
All of this information should be evidenced via a video file for referencing and quality assurance purposes.
Call 020 7870 3205
or our office mobile
07824 757572
All London CCTV surveys include our state of the art Drainify reporting software. Check out the demo:

Blocked drains
"Turned up on time. Go5 the job done very quickly and professionally. Would definitely use again if needed."
Friendly knowledgeable service
"We were very happy with the work Happy Drains did for us - friendly and knowledgeable and sorted the problem"
Resolved blocked toilet
"We reached out in the late morning and the issue was resolved by 3:30pm the same day. Very quick and efficient service, the engineer was very polite and friendly. Will definitely use again if further issues arise."
Happy Drains = Happy Homeowner
"Fantastic service, drain was unblocked in no time. Mark was fantastic and professional. Thank you, price was great with no hidden cost. I had a builder who advised they may have to lift the tiles to get to the drain, luckily escaped that as I would have had to replace the entire kitchen "
Recent Blog Posts...
In London the following drainage problems could benefit from a London CCTV drain survey...
Bad smells in London
Fractured drain in London
Problems with shared London drains
French drainage problems in London
Land drainage problems in London
Bellied pipework in London
Deformed pipework in London
Overflowing or leaking London septic tanks & cesspits
London CCTV-controlled cutting problem
Longitudinal cracking in London drains
Tree roots damaging drains in London
Clogged or broken pipes in London
Concrete, cement or builders’ rubble in London drain
Blocked or broken London drains
Bellied drain in London
Broken or blocked London sewers or sewage pipes
Cracked or leaking London drains and pipes
Water level problems in London
Joint displacements in London pipes and drains
Overflowing or blocked London drain pipes
Build-up of fat, grease, or detergent in London drains
Collapsed drain in London
London pitch fibre pipework problems
Ground movement causing London drain problems
Vehicle activity affecting drains in London
Failed or broken soakaways in London
Blocked London toilets and blocked London showers
Cutting out tree root mass from London drains
Ditch drainage problems in London
For London blocked drains we use selected local London professionals.
This ensures London blocked drains are unblocked fast followed by CCTV inspections to get your London repairs in progress.
London drain services from a firm receiving great feedback...

Blocked drain
"I had a major blockage in one of my drains. Called happy drains who responded very quickly. It took a couple of attempts to clear but they done an amazing job"
Drains Blocked
"Very Pleased with the service provided by Happy Drains - I've use them before because they are so good, quick and efficient - Oh and very reasonable compared to some Drain Cleaners we wont name them but you'll know who I mean. Happy Drains were out the day after Id emailed to say I had a problem with my outside drains completely backed up - not a pretty sight. They kept me advised when they were arriving and what to expect - the engineers were both very able and very friendly - they had the drains unblocked very quickly and with minimum fuss. Highly Recommend - I wouldn't use anyone else."
Blocked bathroom toilet
"They could not clear it initially so went outside and cleared the drain which they didn't need to (as that should be a Council responsibilty) - would recommend this company every time"
sink waste pipe blocked
"I called happy drains with blocked sink waste, the receptionist arranged for the technicians to attend the following day informing me they would call me 30 minutes prior to arrival. The technicians did call me 30 minutes before arriving. They understood the difficulties involved with the blocked waste as the access was challenging and with patience and experience they unblocked the blockage. The guys were polite, tidy, on time, and knowledgeable. Will defiantly use happy drains again "
Blocked downstairs loo
"The company were brilliant, lovely lady on the phone really helpful. They called me back within a matter of minutes to book a same day appointment and the problem was resolved. They were very professional did a marvellous job and I would highly recommend them to anybody in the same situation."
Clear Kitchen Drain
"Very polite from asking if it was okay to park on the drive to explaining what the problem was, what he planned to do, showing the camera footage & clearing up & explaining guarantee. Invoice came through with amount advised. Would definitely use again. "
Outside drain clearing
"Calm her within an hour of my call. Polite and efficient from start to finish. Really happy. Thank you."
unblocked drain
"i highly recommend this company they was quick and affiant the two guys that came out was ever so polite even ran me before they turned up which i find very respectful will defiantly use and recommend this company to friends and family Thank you so much "
Blocked outside drain
"Super impressed. Tommy and Gordon showed up within hours of my distressed phone call as our outside drain was completely blocked. They fixed it within minutes and shared their expertise for preventing blockage in the future. Friendly, courteous, incredibly knowledgeable and professional. My only go to from now on."
Blocked drain
"Fantastic, prompt service, our engineer was extremely thorough and very friendly. Would highly recommend! Thanks."
Blocked kitchen drain
"The amazing reviews of Happy Drains seem well warranted. Our experience was beyond excellent. Fantastic customer service, friendly, efficient and effective service. Had someone with us in less than an hour. Fixed issue, and cleaned up, then even checked an upstairs sink for us too. Ours was a small job yet I felt like a valued customer from the first call. I cant really recommend highly enough."
A blocked drain under the bath
"This is the third time I've used Happy Drains and I cannot praise the company enough! You can book online - I booked on a Saturday for a Monday slot. Inc redivly helpful, friendly and reliable. They take photos of the job and explain what they found and how they fixed it - honestly a really brilliant company!!"
Cleared a blocked drain
"Telephoned ahead of visit and arrived promptly. Very polite and informative offered follow-up advice and a new quote but wasn't pushy. Would definitely use again."
Kitchen sink drain cleared
"The engineer from Happy Drains cleared my slow running kitchen sink drain in minutes. The plumbing is not straightforward but he saw the issue and cleared the blockage very quickly without wasting time. He was very thorough and cleaned up afterwards. My sink now drains faster than it has in years and I am very happy. I was told exactly how much it would cost beforehand, so no hidden extras, plus the engineer offered a 28 day call back for free if the issue wasn't resolved. "
Blocked Soil Pipe
"This is a great Company. I called them at 10.30am to request a visit to sort out a blocked toilet system at my daughters place and the Engineer arrived at 3.00pm (within the time slot initially given). Within minutes he (Luke) had identified the issue and not long after, the blockage was cleared and a working toilet was restored. I would recommend these guys to anyone seeking a prompt service, provided by people who know exactly what they're doing."
Blocked Drain
"Very quick and no fuss. Damien showed up on time and had all the equipment needed. Sink functioning in less than an hour. Highly recommend."
External drain for kitchen blocked
"They made arrangements easy, and kept in communication about the time of the visit. And the job was done quickly, without fuss, and with courtesy. Great job, thank you"
Outside drain clearing
"Calm her within an hour of my call. Polite and efficient from start to finish. Really happy. Thank you."
Call 020 7870 3205
or our office mobile
07824 757572
All London CCTV surveys include our state of the art Drainify reporting software. Check out the demo: