Blocked drains cost in London (2026)

Prices reviewed November 2026

Allow £90 to £180 as a budgeting guide for unblock a sink or toilet in London; confirm the full scope and price with your contractor. Drain clearing is usually a fixed price, and the cost depends on where the blockage is and how hard it is to clear.

💷 Typical blocked drains prices in London

The price depends on the clearance method. A CCTV inspection, written survey report, excavation and drain relining are separate work unless the quote explicitly includes them.
Unblock a sink or toilet	£90 to £180
Unblock an outside drain	£100 to £250
CCTV drain survey	£150 to £350

What changes the price

Whether the blockage is in a sink, toilet or outside drain.
How far down the pipe it sits.
The equipment needed: rods, jetting or a camera survey.
Out-of-hours charges for urgent callouts.
Whether a repair to the pipe is needed afterwards.

How long it takes

Clearing a blocked sink or toilet takes one to two hours. A main drain blockage or a collapsed pipe can take a day or more.

How to pay less

Do not pour fat or wipes down the drain: they cause most blockages.
Ask for a fixed price before work starts.
If it keeps coming back, ask for a camera survey rather than clearing it again.

Before you hire

Ask for the price before they start, including any extra for jetting or a camera survey.
Ask them to show you the camera footage so you can see the cause.
Ask whether the drain is your responsibility or the water company's.
Ask for a written report if your insurer or landlord needs it.

💬 Questions about blocked drains costs

Can I clear a blocked drain myself?

Light blockages sometimes shift with a plunger. If it keeps coming back or smells, call a plumber before it gets worse.

How much does unblocking a drain cost in London?

Most jobs are £90 to £250 depending on where the blockage is and how it's cleared. Your plumber will quote first.

What causes blocked drains?

Grease, wipes, hair and tree roots are the usual suspects. Bin the wipes. Your drains will thank you.

Do I need drain jetting or a CCTV drain survey?

Ask the contractor to diagnose the problem first. Rodding or jetting may clear an obstruction; a CCTV inspection investigates its cause or pipe condition. Request separate prices and do not assume a written survey report is included.

Is a blocked drain my responsibility or Thames Water's?

A drain serving only your home within its boundary may be private. Shared drains and public sewers can be Thames Water's responsibility. If neighbours are affected, check with the water company before paying for private work; our cost guide links to its responsibility guidance.

Why does a drain keep blocking?

A repeat blockage often means a damaged pipe, tree roots or a build-up further down. A camera survey shows the cause, so the fix lasts.

Get blocked drains quotes

Use these figures to plan your budget, then compare written quotes for the same work. Your price depends on the job, the size of your home and how soon you need it. Tell us what you need to request up to 3 local quotes; responses depend on availability.

Drain rodding, jetting or a CCTV survey?

A blocked sink or toilet and an outside drain obstruction are different jobs. Ask the contractor to identify which pipe is affected and explain the proposed clearance method. A recurring blockage may need investigation rather than another short visit.

For UK context, Checkatrade lists rodding at £75 to £150, jetting at £120 to £250 and a basic CCTV survey at £150 to £300. These are separate tasks, not a package price. Our ranges are budgeting allowances; ask whether call-out charges and VAT are included.

Who pays for a blocked drain in London?

Thames Water distinguishes drains serving only your property from shared drains and public sewers. A problem affecting neighbours or beyond your boundary may need the water company. Check responsibility before booking private drainage work, and contact your landlord if you rent.

Sources and price assumptions

Researched by the HouseBFF editorial team on 2026-11-07. Published supplier prices and UK guides are examples, not a survey of London jobs or a HouseBFF quote. Check the linked source for current terms and prices.