The Dangers of DIY Drain Rods (and When to Call a Pro)

If your kitchen sink or toilet is draining more slowly than it should, there may be a blockage in your pipes or drains. To save money, it’s tempting to pop to a DIY shop or hire centre for a set of drain rods and have a go yourself. Before you do, here’s why we, as drain engineers in Stockport, would urge caution about DIY drain rods.

The problem with DIY drain rods

We’re based in the Stockport area, and there’s no shortage of DIY stores and hire shops around here, from Cheadle to Hazel Grove and across Manchester. Unfortunately, the domestic drain rods they sell are often not up to the job.

• They come apart. Most DIY rods simply screw together. Twist them the wrong way and the rods, or the plunger or corkscrew attachment, can unscrew and get lost in the drain.
• They can damage pipes. Rods can scrape the inside of pipes and, in older or more fragile pipework, cause cracks that lead to breakages.
• They can get stuck. In extreme cases, rods jam so badly that they can’t be pulled out, and the drain has to be dug up to retrieve them.
• It’s harder than it looks. Feeding a rod through a drainage system you can’t see is tricky even with the best equipment. It’s easy to push the blockage further along or go up the wrong branch.

The result can be a bigger, more complicated job, and a higher bill than if you’d called a professional in the first place. A stuck rod in a broken pipe can turn a simple unblock into an excavation and repair.

What we use instead

Our engineers use professional lock-tight rods, which lock together and can’t unscrew in the pipe, for exactly these reasons. We also carry a full range of professional equipment, so we can clear your drain in the most suitable and efficient way, without parts coming loose or being left behind.

The benefits of high-pressure jetting

For stubborn blockages, high-pressure water jetting is the most effective way to clean drains, sewers and pipes. A hose is pushed down the drain and a continuous, powerful jet of water breaks up and flushes away the blockage.

• It removes grease, soap and silt build-up, not just the blockage itself
• It can cut through roots and scale
• It uses only water, with no chemicals
• It leaves the pipe properly clean, which helps stop the blockage coming back

Our drain unblocking and drain repairs come with a 12-month guarantee (repairs don’t include surface reinstatement), as long as the drainage isn’t misused or damaged. Full conditions are in our terms.

What it costs

Our drain unblocking prices are fixed:

• Rodding and plunging: £75 + VAT (fixed)
• Jetting and machine work: £150 + VAT (fixed)

Fixed prices apply Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays may cost more, and we’ll tell you the rate before we set off. There’s no call-out charge when we carry out the work. Compared with hiring rods and risking a stuck rod or damaged pipe, it’s often the cheaper option. For simple sink care, see our tips on how to clean your drains.

Put the rods down and give us a call

If you have a blocked drain in Stockport, Hazel Grove or nearby, call or WhatsApp us on 07375 521027 or message us on WhatsApp. We’re open 24/7.