Drain rodding in Exeter
Professional drain rodding services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Stubborn drain blockages cleared with proper drain rodding. I rod through the full run to break up the blockage, flush the system, and leave your drains flowing freely.
When Simple Clearing Won't Do It
Some blockages are too stubborn for chemicals or plungers. Drain rodding means physically pushing flexible rods through your drain to break up whatever's blocking it - tree roots, compacted waste, collapsed sections.
💡 Pro tip: If your drain blocks repeatedly in the same place, rodding will clear it but won't stop it happening again. You need to find out WHY it's blocking (usually roots or broken pipe) and fix that, or you'll be rodding it every few months.
Proper Rodding vs Half-Arsed Job
Rodding a drain properly takes time and effort:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Quick Bodge |
|---|---|
| Rod through full run to clear blockage | Poke at it till water drains, job done |
| Check manholes to locate exact blockage | Just rod from the gully and hope |
| Flush system thoroughly to confirm clear | Assume it's clear because water's draining |
| Identify what caused it | No idea, see you in 3 months |
| Advise on preventing recurrence | "Just call us again when it blocks" |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Locate | Find blockage location via manholes |
| Rod | Push rods through to break up blockage |
| Clear | Work blockage free, remove debris |
| Flush | Run water through to test fully clear |
| Advise | Identify cause, prevent future problems |
📦 You're Left With
- Drain flowing freely
- Full run confirmed clear
- Understanding of what caused it
- Advice on preventing recurrence
- Clean site, all covers replaced
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward rodding (accessible blockage) | 1-1.5 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Stubborn blockage, longer run | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Complex system or multiple blockages | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. For jetting or camera surveys, I'll quote separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Chemical clearing failed - blockage too stubborn
✅ Recurring blockages - same drain blocks repeatedly
✅ Tree root problems - roots growing into drains
✅ Slow draining - partial blockage building up
Why Choose Us for Drain rodding in Exeter?
Blockages fully cleared, not just pushed along
Full drain run rodded properly
System flushed to confirm clear
Identify cause to prevent recurrence
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess System
I lift manhole covers and check water levels to pinpoint exactly where the blockage is. Saves time rodding the wrong section.
Step 2: Assemble Rods
Screw together the flexible drain rods with a plunger or corkscrew head. Length depends on how far to the blockage.
Step 3: Rod Through
Push the rods down through the drain, working them back and forth to break up the blockage. You'll feel when you hit it - solid resistance that gradually breaks up.
Step 4: Clear Debris
Once the blockage breaks, water level drops and flows away. I pull the rods back, sometimes bringing debris out with them.
Step 5: Flush & Test
Run plenty of water through - hose or buckets - to make sure it's fully clear and there's no partial blockage left to cause problems later.
Step 6: Identify Cause
Look at what came out and where the blockage was. Tells you if it's roots, fat, wipes, or something else. Helps you prevent it happening again.
🔧 DIY Tips
Drain rodding is definitely doable DIY for straightforward blockages:
🔧 Tools you need
- Drain rods (hire or buy - £20-40 for basic set)
- Rubber gloves (thick ones, this is filthy work)
- Old clothes
- Bucket and hose for flushing
💧 The process
- Lift covers - find your manholes, check which section's blocked
- Assemble rods - screw together, add plunger head
- Push through - down into drain, twist CLOCKWISE as you push
- Hit blockage - feel for solid resistance
- Work it - push and pull, twist clockwise, break it up
- Pull back - once clear, retrieve rods
- Flush - lots of water to confirm it's flowing
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Twisting anticlockwise (rods unscrew, you lose them down the drain)
- Not rodding far enough (clear start of blockage, not the whole thing)
- Giving up too soon (some blockages need serious persistence)
- Not flushing after (partial blockage left behind)
- Forcing through collapsed pipe (makes damage worse)
💡 Pro trick: ALWAYS twist clockwise, never anticlockwise. The rods screw together clockwise, so anticlockwise motion unscrews them and you'll lose them down the drain. Happened to more DIYers than you'd think.
When to call a pro: If you can't clear it with rodding, or it clears then blocks again within days, there's probably pipe damage. Needs camera survey to see what's actually wrong.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌳 Tree roots - main cause of recurring blockages in older drains. Roots grow through cracks, then expand and block the pipe. Rodding clears them temporarily, but they grow back. Permanent fix is drain lining or replacement.
Older Exeter houses - Victorian and Edwardian drains are often clay pipes that crack over time. Once cracked, roots get in and blockages become regular. Rodding works short-term, but you might need repairs long-term.
What NOT to put down drains - fat/oil (solidifies), wet wipes (don't break down), nappies, sanitary products, hair (in bulk). All common blockage causes I see when rodding.
Shared drains - terraces and semis often have shared drainage. Your blockage might be caused by your neighbor's habits. Still needs clearing, just worth knowing.
Camera surveys - if you get recurring blockages, worth having a camera survey done to see exactly what's wrong. Costs more than rodding but shows you if there's damage that needs fixing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between drain rodding and clearing?
Drain rodding specifically uses flexible rods pushed through the drain to break up blockages. It's the most common method for stubborn blockages that won't clear with chemicals or plunging. More thorough than simple clearing because you're physically pushing through the full drain run.
How far can you rod a drain?
Depends on the layout, but typically 10-15 meters from the access point. If the blockage is further than that, I'll need to access from a different manhole or use jetting equipment. Most domestic blockages are within easy rodding distance.
Will rodding damage my drains?
Not if done properly. The rods are flexible and designed for this. If your pipes are already cracked or broken (often why they block), rodding won't make it worse - but you might need repairs after to stop it blocking again.
My drain's been rodded before and blocked again - why?
Usually means there's an underlying problem - tree roots, broken pipe, or wrong fall causing water to sit. Rodding clears the symptom but doesn't fix the cause. Might need a camera survey to see what's actually wrong, then proper repair.
Can you rod drains in all weathers?
Yes - rain doesn't stop drain problems, so I work in all weathers. Actually sometimes easier in rain because I can see exactly where water should be flowing. Heavy rain does mean more water coming through while I work, but the drain still needs fixing.
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