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Drain Unblocking and Drain Cleaning

If you’ve got a blocked drain, our expert engineers are on hand to fix the problem and get your system back in working order.

  • 24/7/365 Callouts
  • Emergency & Routine Drainage Services

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For a free no-obligation quote or advice on your drainage problem, get in touch using the buttons below.

  • UK-wide support from local engineers
    UK-wide support from local engineers
    Our experts are in your area and ready to respond. Click here to find your nearest drainage specialist.
  • 24/7/365 emergency callouts
    24/7/365 emergency callouts
    There’s no good time for an emergency, but our engineers are on hand to help, day or night. Call us on 0800 66 88 00
  • Always one of the fastest to reach you
    Always one of the fastest to reach you
    Your problem is our priority, and with engineers only an hour's drive away from 85% of commercial properties we can provide a speedy response.
  • Friendly & approachable professionals
    Friendly & approachable professionals
    Our highly qualified engineers put you and your business first to provide you with exceptional service.
  • 40 years of proven technical ability
    40 years of proven technical ability
    Our decades of experience mean we're experts in maintaining your drains with a wealth of technical knowledge to resolve any problem.

Experts in Drain Unblocking & Drain Cleaning

Blocked drains whether, at home, at work or in an industrial environment, can cause serious disruption to your day. At Metro Rod, our professional drain unblocking and drain cleaning service can deal with the problem quickly and efficiently with no call out charge.

Experts in Drain Unblocking & Drain Cleaning

Blocked drains whether, at home, at work or in an industrial environment, can cause serious disruption to your day. At Metro Rod, our professional drain unblocking and drain cleaning service can deal with the problem quickly and efficiently with no call out charge.

With 44 depots across the UK, we are uniquely positioned to help you with any drainage issues and can be on-site within a matter of hours. We provide our drain unblocking service 24/7, 365 days of the year and can respond to emergency callouts whenever you need us.

Don’t leave your drains in poor condition. With over 35 years of experience in unblocking drains and drain clearance of all different sizes, we can help you get your drainage back to pristine condition and working efficiently. Whether at home, in a domestic setting, or whether you have a large industrial pipe that needs looking at, at Metro Rod, we can help.

Signs of a Blocked Drain

If you suspect that you may have a blocked drain that needs cleaning and assistance, then there are a few core signs to look out for. These signs may indicate that something is clogging your pipes and could cause a more significant issue if left unseen. Signs you may have a blockage include:

  • Glugging plugholes
  • Rising water in the toilet after you flush
  • Bathroom facilities that are emptying very slowly
  • Reflux from your pipes and plugs
  • Bad smells coming from drains
  • Overflowing manholes and gullies

If you have noticed any of the above symptoms, it could be a sign that you have a blocked drain, and it is essential to get an expert to inspect your drains as quickly as possible. Unblocking and cleaning a blocked drain when it first becomes an issue means it is possible to prevent further damage caused by build-up within the pipe.

Why is the Drain Blocked?

Blocked drains are a common problem and one that can often be rectified with the right equipment at hand, no matter how severe the blockage is. Typically there are three types of drain blockage issues that can cause congestion in your pipes.

Common Causes of Blocked Drains?

Blocked drains are a common problem and one that can often be rectified with the right equipment at hand, no matter how severe the blockage is. Typically there are three types of issues that can cause congestion in your pipes these include:

  • A build-up of fat, grease and oils that, once cooled, solidify and cause a build-up within the system. This restricts water flow and can even seal off the pipe.
  • A build-up of non-flushable items, including wet wipes, nappies, q-tips and other non-flushable items that build up and restrict water flow. Once something has blocked the pipe, additional items can build up behind it, causing further issues as you end up with a backlog of waste in your drain.
  • External factors, such as tree roots, causing damage to pipes. In extreme cases, they can intrude into a pipe and even cause the pipe to collapse.

As well as being inconvenient, blockages can lead to any number of larger problems later on down the line. Build-up in your drain can cause slow water drainage whilst serious cases can lead to damage in the pipes, building up pressure and running the risk of causing pipes to burst. At Metro Rod, we have developed a series of drain unblocking techniques to help remove even the toughest pipe blockages.

 

Essential Drain Cleaning Services

As well as being inconvenient, neglected drain cleaning and drain blockages can lead to any number of larger problems later on down the line. Build-up in your drain can cause slow water drainage whilst serious cases can lead to damage in the pipes, building up pressure and running the risk of causing pipes to burst.

At Metro Rod, we have developed a series of drain unblocking and drain cleaning techniques to help remove even the toughest pipe blockages.

Treating Blocked Drains at Home

If your blockage is in a home drain, many home remedies can sometimes provide a quick solution to the issue. For example, something as simple as a plunger or a bicarbonate vinegar solution. There are several other home methods that can be used, and you can find out more about domestic unblocking techniques here. However, these home remedies won’t clear the underlying problem within your drain. Ideally, you’d want to call a drainage professional to come and inspect your drain as soon as possible.

Suitable Drain Cleaning for Blockages

If the blockage is persistent and you can’t shift it using traditional methods, you should call a professional to use more advanced unblocking drains techniques. Likewise, if you are unsure about your system or believe that the blockage is more serious, you should call a professional team to take a look.

If the blockage is large enough to block a commercial or industrial pipe, always call in a drainage engineer, as simple methods will generally not work on larger pipes. Our local professional drain cleaning engineers use advanced drain unblocking equipment to remove larger blockages efficiently to get your system working smoothly.

Professional Drain Unblocking Techniques

There are several core methods that engineers, like those at Metro Rod, have for unblocking drains that are far more powerful than any domestic solution. There are several ways of removing the problem. In most cases, high-pressure drain jetting will help shift the problem – breaking it up and pushing it through the system using high-pressure water. In other instances, robotic cutting can be used to remove roots, followed by a drain repair as needed. Finally, depending on the blockage and the location of the blockage, a tanker could be used to vacuum the blockage out.

If the drain blockage was due to a build-up of oil, fat, or grease – or if it collapsed due to root or intrusion from the surrounding soil – then it is possible to help maintain the drain moving forward to help prevent the problem from reoccurring, with a drain maintenance plan. Our regular drain cleaning services can keep your drain fit and healthy for longer.

Although CCTV drain surveys aren’t a specific drain unblocking technique, they can be used to assess the current condition of your drainage system and identify what is causing the blockage.

Drain Clearance Experts

If the drain blockage was due to a build-up of oil, fat, or grease – or if it collapsed due to root or intrusion from the surrounding soil – then it is possible to help maintain the drain moving forward to help prevent the problem from reoccurring, with a drain maintenance plan.

 

Our regular drain cleaning services can keep your drain fit and healthy for longer.

Although CCTV drain surveys aren’t a specific drain unblocking technique, they can be used to assess the current condition of your drainage system and identify what is causing the blockage so that a suitable drain cleaning plan is in place to avoid further problems.

Drain Unblocking and Cleaning from Metro Rod

If you believe that your drain is blocked, or if you believe there may be a larger problem with it, then you can contact Metro Rod today. Our engineers are spread all around the country and can get to your location within a matter of hours to help you out.

If you find yourself searching for “drain unblocking services near me” or would like to discuss your issue in more detail, you can call us 365 days of the year, 7 days a week, on 0800 66 88 00. Alternatively, you can contact your local Metro Rod engineer today.

Unblocking Drains FAQs

Do you do 24-hour call-outs?

Yes. We have based our service around your convenience and are available whenever you have a blocked drain that needs attention. This means we can help you with your drainage problems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

When is a drain blockage my responsibility?

If you are a homeowner, you are responsible for drains that are within the boundary of your property that is solely used by your property. This means you are responsible for all of your toilets, sinks and any pipes attached to your baths or showers. Outside of the boundaries of your property, the maintenance of the pipes falls to the sewage or water company.

If you are a business owner in rented or shared premises, the responsibility for the drains and pipes in the property boundaries lies with the landlord or property management company (dependent on the terms of the lease). However, if you own the premises yourself, it is your responsibility as the business owner to maintain all pipes within the property’s boundaries.

Do store bought drain unblockers work?

Store-bought unblockers and drain cleaners work to some degree; however, they are not as thorough as a professional unblocking service. Most drain cleaners work by being poured down the drains, and this can help reduce some build-up where grease, oil, or fats have built up around the edge of the pipes. However, drain cleaners are unlikely to clear your drain fully and can lead to further build up later on down the line.

A professional service can remove blockages and fully clean blocked pipes to leave your water running smoothly and waste emptying correctly.

Can Metro Rod unblock indoor and outdoor drains?

Yes. We can unblock both indoor and outdoor drains. We have drain unblocking techniques to work on indoor and outdoor drainage systems to ensure they work as efficiently as possible.

When might a CCTV drain survey be needed?

CCTV drain surveys can be a fantastic diagnostic tool for determining the health of the inside of a drain. For serious blockages, we may recommend a CCTV drain survey to ensure that there is no damage to the pipes.

How do I prevent blockages from reoccurring?

The majority of blockages that occur within drainage systems happen due to items or substances that are flushed or poured down the drain. Being mindful of what is flushed is one of the best ways to prevent blockages from reoccurring. If your pipes have suffered from fat or grease deposits, then professional drain cleaning will help prevent reoccurring build-up by completely removing the deposits from the drain. Finally, regular cleaning will also help prevent build-up, keeping your drains cleaner for longer.

How can I educate others about blocked drains?

If you’re looking to educate your staff or customers on what should and shouldn’t be flushed down the drain. Our free “Only Flush the 3 Ps (Pee, Poo and Paper)” toilet door poster can help. Find out more and download the poster.

How much does a professional drain unblocking service cost?

How much professional drain unblocking costs depends on the size of the blockage, the type of service needed, and how long it will take to get the drain back in working order. To discuss your requirements, please feel free to contact us using the form above, or call us on 0800 66 88 00.

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