Blocked drain clearing in Exeter
Professional blocked drain clearing services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£135
Typical Duration
0.5-2.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Blocked outside drains cleared to get water flowing again. I locate the blockage, clear it properly, flush the system, and leave your drains working as they should.
Standing Water Won't Clear Itself
Blocked drain outside? Water pooling around the gully? It won't fix itself - blockages get worse, not better. Standing water can damage foundations, create smells, and in heavy rain, might even back up into your house.
💡 Pro tip: If your outside drain blocks regularly in the same place, it's not bad luck - there's an underlying cause (usually tree roots or a broken pipe). Worth investigating properly rather than clearing it every few months.
Clearing vs Bodging
There's clearing a drain, and there's actually fixing the problem:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Bodged |
|---|---|
| Blockage fully cleared, drain flows freely | Pushed blockage further down (blocks again soon) |
| Identify what caused it | No idea why it blocked |
| Flush system to test | Hope it's fixed, drive off |
| Advice on preventing recurrence | "Just call us again next time" |
| Rod through manholes properly | Poke at gully and hope |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Locate | Find where blockage is, check manholes |
| Clear | Rod through to break up blockage |
| Flush | Run water through to test it's flowing |
| Check | Look at what came out, identify cause |
| Advise | Tell you what caused it, how to prevent recurrence |
📦 You're Left With
- Drain flowing freely
- No standing water
- Understanding of what caused it
- Advice on avoiding future blockages
- Clean and tidy site
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple gully blockage | 30 mins | £60 (minimum) |
| Standard drain rod job | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Stubborn blockage, longer run | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. For complex jobs or jetting required, I'll quote on site.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Standing water - drain not clearing after rain
✅ Gurgling drains - air trapped by partial blockage
✅ Smell from drain - usually means standing water somewhere
✅ Regular blocking - same drain blocks repeatedly
Why Choose Us for Blocked drain clearing in Exeter?
Blockages cleared properly, not just pushed along
Drains flowing freely again
Identify what caused the blockage
Advice on preventing future problems
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess The Problem
I lift the manhole covers and gully grates to see where the blockage is. Water level in the chambers tells me which section's blocked.
Step 2: Rod The Drain
Flexible drain rods go down through the manhole or gully. I work them back and forth to break up the blockage. You'll hear when it clears - suddenly the water level drops and flows away.
Step 3: Flush Through
Run plenty of water through (hose or buckets) to make sure it's flowing properly and there's no partial blockage left to cause problems later.
🔧 DIY Tips
Drain clearing is doable DIY for simple blockages:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drain rods (hire or buy - about £20-30 for basic set)
- Rubber gloves (thick ones)
- Old clothes you don't mind getting filthy
- Bucket or hose for flushing
💧 The process
- Lift covers - find your manholes and gully grates
- Locate blockage - look where water's standing
- Assemble rods - screw together, add plunger head
- Rod through - push and twist clockwise (anticlockwise unscrews them!)
- Feel for blockage - you'll hit resistance when you reach it
- Work back and forth - break up the blockage
- Flush through - bucket of water down to check it's clear
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Twisting anticlockwise (rods unscrew and you lose them down the drain)
- Not clearing the whole blockage (clears temporarily, blocks again fast)
- Pushing too hard (can damage clay pipes if they're already cracked)
- Not checking all manholes (miss where the problem actually is)
- Giving up too soon (some blockages need persistence)
💡 Pro trick: Always twist drain rods clockwise. Sounds obvious but in the heat of the moment, people twist the wrong way and the rods unscrew underground. Then you've got lost rods AND a blocked drain.
When to call a pro: If rodding doesn't clear it, or it clears then blocks again within days, there's probably damage to the pipe. Needs camera survey and possibly excavation/repair.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌳 Tree roots are sneaky - they grow through tiny cracks in drains, then expand and block them. If you've got trees near your drainpipes and you get regular blockages, roots are the likely culprit. Might need drain lining or replacement.
What NOT to put down drains - fat/oil (solidifies in pipes), wet wipes (don't break down), nappies, sanitary products, hair (in bulk), coffee grounds. All common causes of blockages.
Shared drains - in terraces or semi-detached houses, drains are often shared. Your blockage might be from your neighbor's side. Still needs clearing, just worth knowing.
Older Exeter houses - Victorian and Edwardian drains are often clay pipes that crack over time. They work fine until they don't, then they block regularly. Sometimes repair or replacement is more cost-effective than clearing every few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clear a blocked drain?
Depends what's blocking it. Usually start by rodding - flexible rods push through and break up the blockage. For tougher blockages, I might use drain jetting or chemicals. Once it's clear, I flush through with water to make sure it's flowing properly.
My outside drain keeps blocking - why?
Usually tree roots growing into cracks, broken pipes, or people putting the wrong stuff down drains (fat, wipes, nappies). Once I've cleared it, I can usually tell you what's causing it. Might need CCTV survey if it's recurring badly.
Can you clear drains in the rain?
Yes - actually it's sometimes easier because you can see where water's meant to be flowing. Heavy rain does mean more water coming through while I work, but the drain still needs clearing regardless of weather.
How long does drain clearing take?
Simple blockage near the gully might be 30 minutes. Stubborn blockage further down the run could be a couple of hours. Won't know till I start, but I'll let you know once I can see what I'm dealing with.
Will clearing the drain damage my pipes?
Not if done properly. I use rods or jetting appropriate for your drain type. If the pipes are already cracked or broken (often why they block), clearing won't make it worse - but you might need repairs after to stop it blocking again.
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