Blocked Drain Unblocking Trowbridge

Professional Drain Unblocking Service

Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing problems we deal with. Whether it's a toilet that won't flush, a sink full of standing water, or an outside drain overflowing, we have the equipment and experience to clear it quickly.

We carry professional drain cleaning equipment including high-pressure water jets, mechanical augers, and inspection cameras. Most blockages are cleared within an hour of our arrival.

Common Causes Of Blocked Drains

Fat, Oil, And Grease Build-Up

The most common cause of kitchen drain blockages. When hot fat and oil go down the sink, they cool and solidify in your pipes, gradually building up until water can't flow. Never pour cooking oil, fat, or grease down drains - wipe pans with kitchen paper and bin it instead.

Hair And Soap Scum

Bathroom drains, especially in showers and baths, get blocked by hair combined with soap residue. Hair catches on any roughness inside pipes and accumulates over time. Use drain guards to catch hair before it enters the drainage system.

Wipes And Sanitary Products

Even "flushable" wipes don't break down like toilet paper. They catch on pipe joints and bends, creating blockages. Sanitary products, cotton buds, and cotton wool pads should never be flushed. Only human waste and toilet paper should go down toilets.

Food Waste

Food scraps, coffee grounds, and tea leaves accumulate in kitchen drains. Even with waste disposal units, some foods (rice, pasta, potato peelings) expand when wet and cause blockages. Scrape plates into the bin before washing up.

Tree Roots

Tree and shrub roots seek out water sources. They can penetrate drainage pipes through small cracks, then grow inside the pipe until they cause complete blockage. This is common in older clay drainage systems. Requires professional equipment to clear.

Structural Problems

Broken, collapsed, or misaligned drain pipes cause persistent blockages. If drains keep blocking despite clearing, there may be underlying structural damage requiring pipe repair or replacement.

Signs Your Drain Is Blocked

Water draining very slowly from sinks, baths, or showers
Gurgling noises from drains when water is used
Unpleasant smells from drains or sinks
Toilet water level rising higher than normal
Water backing up in sinks when toilet is flushed
Multiple drains affected at once
Outside drains overflowing
Sewage smell in garden or property

Our Drain Unblocking Process

Assessment

We identify where the blockage is located and what's likely causing it. For persistent or difficult blockages, we can use CCTV drain cameras to see exactly what's blocking the pipe and whether there's any structural damage.

Mechanical Clearance

For most blockages, we use drain augers (flexible rods) or high-pressure water jets. Augers physically break up and remove the blockage. Water jets blast blockages clear using high-pressure water.

Testing

Once cleared, we test the drain thoroughly by running water to ensure it's flowing freely. We'll also check nearby drains to ensure the problem hasn't affected other parts of your drainage system.

Advice

We'll explain what caused the blockage and give you practical advice to prevent future problems. If we find structural issues, we'll discuss repair options.

Types Of Drains We Unblock

Toilets - Blocked by wipes, sanitary products, or excess paper
Kitchen sinks - Usually fat, grease, and food waste
Bathroom sinks - Hair and soap scum build-up
Showers and baths - Hair blockages in traps and waste pipes
Outside drains - Leaves, silt, or main sewer blockages
Soil pipes - Main drainage from property to sewer
Gulley drains - Outside drains at ground level
Manhole chambers - Inspection chambers and septic tanks

Pricing For Drain Unblocking

Standard call-out: £80 (includes clearance of straightforward blockages)
Complex blockages: £100-150 (requiring specialist equipment or extended work)
Emergency call-out (24/7): £60 plus £40/hour labour

We'll quote clearly before starting work. Most standard drain blockages (toilets, sinks, simple external drains) are cleared within the standard call-out price.

Preventing Blocked Drains

Never pour fats, oils, or grease down sinks
Use drain guards to catch hair in showers and baths
Only flush human waste and toilet paper
Scrape food waste into bins before washing up
Run hot water after using sinks to help clear residue
Periodically pour boiling water down drains to clear build-up
Have drains professionally cleaned annually as preventative maintenance
Address slow-draining fixtures promptly before they block completely

When To Call For Emergency Help

Call us immediately if:

Sewage is backing up into your property
You can smell sewage inside your home
Multiple drains are completely blocked
Outside drains are overflowing into your garden
You have no working toilets in your property

These situations require immediate professional attention and cannot wait until tomorrow.