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
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:
Blocked Drain
"From initial contact with excellent customer service, to completing the work including a very reasonable price, everything was absolutely outstanding. Felt we were in safe hands from start to finish. The drain to be cleaned had 30 years of fat to be cleared the problem was identified quickly and completed thoroughly, an advantage of having the correct technical equipment and skills. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Happy Drains to any prospective customer."
Drain clearing.
"I was delighted that my problem was dealt with so quickly The engineer was promt and polite, totally professional. The price quoted was the price invoiced, no silly ad ons. Great company to do business with and I have no hesitation in recommending their service. Sincere thanks."
Sourcing and stopping strong drain smells in new ground floor extension
"For over two years we have suffered from very strong sewage smells and rats getting into our new ground floor extension which made our lives very uncomfortable. Our builder and other drain companies failed to work out the source of the smell. Happy Drains quickly worked out how the smell was getting into the house and sealed it the following week. The smell has disappeared! It was caused by our builder failing to seal a redundant toilet pipe. Happy Drains were efficient, helpful and fast. We are extremely grateful."
Drain unblocked
"Fantastic service by Neil today. Sorted the problem efficiently and quickly. Neil was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable and I would definitely use Happy drains again based on the excellent service I received today."
Blocked sink
"Excellent service and much better value than the larger firms. Staff were punctual, polite and professional. They made sure the job was successfully completed."
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
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
Blocked bath drain.
"Quick response to request. They were able to get someone out in under a day. Very polite and professional gentleman was Justin. Quickly diagnosed the problem. Kept us informed through out his visit. Drain unblocked in under 30 minutes. We would recommend him."
Clearing of bathroom drain.
"Exceptional experience with this company! The booking process was seamless. Communication with the company was very clear on scheduling and having costs upfront meant no lingering worry on the final bill. Work was done quickly and the technicians were very professional. Payment was smooth as well (was able to use Apple Pay). Will definitely get my business again if needed and will recommend them to anyone else in the same situation."
External drain blocked
"Found this supplier via Checkatrade, they responded promptly and agreed a time for a tradesperson to attend our house. He call prior to arrival to confirm he was on his way, arrived and found the problem quickly (which was roots growing into the drain. He cleared the problem and flushed the system and then cleaned the area. A really nice chap, friendly polite and professional"
Blocked washing machine drain
"Blocked pipe leading from washing machine meant it emptied water all over the floor. I rang for appointment at 9.30 and by 2.30 the guys had been and fixed it. They had to take the main drains cover off and drill "upwards". I never knew you could get fatballs from using fabric conditioner! Utterly lovely guys. Great Service. Great price. In fact, to quote Mary Poppins - Practically Perfect in Every Way. Would HIGHLY recommend them."
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...
Toilet blocked
"The plumber arrived when they said and was very polite listened and straight away knew what it was,cracked on with his job was done in an hour kept at it didn't have to prompt him or even help him very nice chap would definitely recommend these guys to family and friends good luck guys"
Clearing outdoor Kitchen Drain
"Called at mid-day and within 2.5hrs they arrived and fixed the problem (I was expecting to need to wait and book it in). Amazing customer service and a lovely team to deal with. Would highly recommend them to anybody! Will definitely be using them again when I need assistance."
Unblocking a very blocked kitchen drain!
"Called Happy Drains late one evening to unblock our main kitchen drain which was crucial to dealing with the aftermath of a huge birthday party. Thankfully the wonderful plumber came as he said he would at noon and within twenty minutes had fixed the problem and checked that all was working both inside in the sinks and outside in the sewer lines. He cleared up carefully and very politely took his leave. A very satisfying experience!"
Clearing a blocked storm drain
"Happy Drains gave a very friendly and helpful service at a good price. They did the job efficiently and were happy to tell me how to prevent the problem in the future."
Clearing a drain
"Tommy cleared a drain for me today. I had previously called him out 3 years ago. He was and still is, very polite and courteous whilst always being quick & efficient. Nothing is too much trouble A great job done and always.... With a smile."
Unblocking outdoor drain
"Happy Drains was able to send someone out on the same day. I was given a 4 hour time window and got a call 30 minutes before arrival. The work was completed very quickly and professionally and the drain is completely clear. Great work and I would fully recommend."
Drain unblocking
"Alec and Luke Sorted out issue super quick, gave great advice to be going on with"
Unblock sewerage pipe in garden.
"Super quick response to enquiry, came next day and cleared blockage. Knew price as well. Personnel were courteous, helpful and efficient. Would highly recommend. Thank you very much."
Drain unblocking
"Prompt and efficient, pleasant tidy guy, good result and competitive price"
Toilet Unblocked
"Quick response. Reasonable cost. Fast attendance, good job completed. Thank you"
Blocked drains
"Good workmanship, on time,courteous and very reasonable price"
Blocked outside drain.
"Excellent experience, Damian was great, efficient, quick, just got the job done. In the end the blockage needed jetting, but that was not a problem and no extra cost. He came out within 24 hours of a phone call. Would certainly use Happy Drains again."
Blocked outside drain.
"Problem had been incorrectly dealt with by previous plumber. Tommy dealt with issue efficiently and quickly. He was very polite and explained issue to me. I had only called this morning and problem was dealt with before lunch."
Blocked drain
"Martin arrived on time, having let me know he was on the way. He quickly got to work and within minutes it was all sorted. He also kindly cleaned up the mess on my patio (the drains had overflowed during heavy rain, leaving it covered in sewage.) As I don't have access to the communal drain (he had to do it from my neighbour's), he even got out a metal detector to locate where my access shaft is (under the patio). Overall, Martin was thoroughly helpful and professional. I must also say of Happy Drains that they answer the phone quickly, and the lady I spoke to was helpful and courteous."
Blocked toilet and main drain
"All cleared with speed and with an explanation what were the causes and how to avoid in the future in a friendly, professional way, Martin was brilliant and had a good sense of humour, too, he well earned his tea and biscuits."
Blocked kitchen sink and drain
"Called prior to arrival and on time. No messing about, strait onto job and after several attempts cleared stubborn blockage. Cleared up , quick effecient, came recommended , would use again. Price reasonable."
Unblocking kitchen sink drain
"Wonderful service! Having rung two other plumbers who were not available, I then rang Happy Drains. They were friendly and helpful and their plumber came within a few hours and unblocked our drain. Highly recommended!"
Drainage issue
"Found the drain outside our kitchen window was blocked. I googled Checkatrade for a company in my area. I found Happy Drains and I must say their name is very apt as I was very happy to have found them. The person who took my call was very helpful and arranged for someone to attend that day. The engineer called ahead and gave me an accurate arrival time. When he arrived he was very efficient and was able to find the blockage and remove it. He made sure the area was clean afterwards. He is a credit to the company. I am very pleased with all aspects of the service."
Call 020 7870 3205
or our office mobile
07824 757572