Rods, Plungers or Jetting? How We Unblock Drains and What It Costs

A blocked drain is frustrating, whether it’s a slow sink, a toilet that won’t flush or an outside drain backing up. Knowing how drains are unblocked, and what each method costs, helps you understand what you’re paying for. Here’s how we clear blockages in Stockport, from simple rodding to high-pressure jetting, and how camera checks fit in.

Rods and plungers: the first line of defence

Many blockages can be cleared with simple manual tools. Strong professional rods and plungers deal with soft or localised blockages caused by things like toilet paper, wipes, hair and fat close to an access point.

How it works: a plunger uses suction and pressure to shift the blockage. Rods are pushed or turned through the pipe to break the blockage up or pull it out.

Typical jobs: blocked manholes, toilets, soil stacks, sinks and gullies.

Price: £75 + VAT (fixed).

Rodding is quick and cost-effective, but it isn’t the best method for stubborn or hard blockages.

High-pressure jetting and machines: the heavy hitters

Some blockages are more stubborn, caused by hardened grease, tree roots, scale, silt or rubble. For these, we use high-pressure water jetting and electro-mechanical machines.

How it works: a jetting hose fires high-pressure water into the pipe, cutting through the blockage and flushing debris away. It also scours the inside of the pipe clean. Electro-mechanical machines use rotating cables and cutting heads to break through roots, scale and other hard blockages.

Typical jobs: root and concrete removal, fat, grease and scale, wipes and sanitary products, rubble and debris, as well as blocked manholes, toilets, stacks, sinks and gullies.

Price: £150 + VAT (fixed).

Jetting is the most effective way of attempting to clear a drain. All our drain unblocking comes with a 12-month guarantee, as long as the drainage isn’t misused or damaged.

Where CCTV fits in

Once a drain is clear, we’ll often put a camera down to check it. That shows whether the blockage is fully cleared and whether there’s an underlying cause, such as roots, a displaced joint or a crack. This camera check is included with the unblock where needed.

If you’d like a full CCTV report, for example for insurance or because the drain keeps blocking, it can be added after an unblock for £80 + VAT. Larger investigations are carried out as a CCTV drain survey.

Commercial drains

Restaurants, shops, offices and other business premises are quoted on request, from £220 + VAT.

Good to know

• Our prices are fixed, and there’s no call-out charge when we carry out the work
• We’re fully insured
• 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.
• Some blockages can’t be cleared, for example where a pipe has collapsed. You pay only the fixed price for the last method we tried, never both, and we’ll explain your options
• Full details are in our pricing and terms

Need a drain unblocked?

Whether it’s a quick rodding job or a full jet and camera check, our drain unblocking and blocked toilet services cover Stockport and the surrounding areas, 24/7. Call 07375 521027 or WhatsApp us.