The short answer: at Drain 247, manual drain clearance starts from £90, high-pressure jetting from £120, and mechanical cutting (used for roots and hard scale) from £165. Fixed price quoted upfront before we start, no hidden extras. There is no call-out fee, and the same prices apply at night and at weekends. Descaling is quoted before we start, based on the length of pipe and how much scale there is.
Need a drainage engineer? Call Drain 247 on 0208 387 5591. Answered 24/7, no call-out fee, and the price is agreed before we start. For scale and fat build-up, see high-pressure drain jetting.
This guide explains which method your drain is likely to need, what affects the final bill, and how to tell whether you should be paying at all.
2026 Prices at a Glance
| Service | Best for | Drain 247 price |
|---|---|---|
| Manual clearance (rods and plunging) | Blocked toilets, sinks and soft debris | From £90, fixed price quoted upfront |
| High-pressure water jetting | Fat, grease, silt and outdoor drain runs | From £120, fixed price quoted upfront |
| Mechanical cutting | Tree roots, hard scale and stubborn deposits | From £165, fixed price quoted upfront |
| CCTV drain survey (domestic) | Recurring blockages, suspected cracks, before buying | From £150 |
See our drain unblocking page for full details.
Unblocking or Descaling: Which Do You Need?
Drain Unblocking
Unblocking gets the water moving again tonight, whether it is a toilet, sink, gully or manhole. Most domestic blockages are toilet paper, wipes or fat, and are cleared with rods or a jetter in a single visit.
Descaling and Fat Removal
Descaling is a planned job, not an emergency. Over time, limescale, hardened fat and urine scale build up on the inside of pipes, especially soil stacks and older cast iron or clay drains. The pipe gets narrower until it blocks again and again. Descaling uses high-pressure jetting and rotating cutting heads to scour the pipe back to its full bore. It is also the usual preparation before a pipe is lined. See descaling and fat removal and drain jetting.
Signs you may need descaling rather than another unblock: the same drain blocks every few months, water drains slowly even after clearance, or a camera survey shows the pipe is narrowed by scale or fat.
What Affects the Cost?
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The cause. Soft blockages clear quickly. Fat, wipes and roots take longer and need heavier equipment. Fat and wipes are the most common causes by far: Thames Water says it clears around 75,000 blockages a year from its sewers, with wipes the number one cause, and fats, oils and grease account for 28% of the blockages on its network.
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Access. A blockage near a manhole is quicker to reach than one under an extension or deep in a long run.
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Pipe length and material. Descaling a long cast-iron stack takes longer than a short plastic run.
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Damage. If the pipe is cracked or collapsed, clearing it is only a temporary fix. We will show you the footage and quote separately for a drain repair.
When You Should Not Pay: Is It a Public Sewer?
Thames Water, which runs the sewers in London and much of Hertfordshire, says a blockage may be its responsibility if the problem is outside your property boundary or more than one property is affected. It is also responsible for sewers you share with your neighbours, even under your garden or driveway. Check this before you book anyone. Our guide drainage problem: who is responsible? explains how.
How to Keep the Cost Down
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Bin wipes, cotton pads and sanitary products. Only flush pee, poo and toilet paper.
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Scrape fat and food into the bin before washing up.
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Tell us what is happening when you call: which fittings are slow, whether the outside manhole is full, and how long it has been going on. That helps us bring the right kit first time.
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If a drain keeps blocking, book a camera survey rather than paying for repeat clearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Call-Out Fee?
No. You pay the fixed price we quote upfront for the job, and nothing extra to attend.
Do You Charge More for Emergencies, Nights or Weekends?
No. Our prices are the same 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
How Long Does Descaling Take?
It depends on the length of pipe and how heavy the scale is. We look at the pipe first, often with a camera, and agree the price before we start.
Can a Drain Be Descaled Instead of Replaced?
Often, yes. If the pipe is sound but narrowed by scale or fat, descaling restores the flow. If it is cracked, it may then be lined rather than dug up. See how do contractors fix drains?
For more on general unblocking prices, see the cost of drain unblocking in London.
Get a Fixed Price
We cover North West London and Hertfordshire, including Harrow, Wembley, Watford and St Albans. See all our areas served, call 0208 387 5591 or ask for a quote.
