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Drains in Bristol

Drain cleaning in Bristol for blocked sinks, toilets and gullies

Slow water, bad smells and gurgling pipes are early warnings. We clear the blockage and explain what caused it.

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  • High pressure water jetting where it is needed
  • Looking at the cause, not only clearing the symptom
  • A written quote before work starts
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Plumber jetting a drain at an open chamber in a back yard

What does drain cleaning involve?

Drain cleaning means clearing whatever is blocking the pipe and getting water moving freely again. The method depends on where the blockage is and what it is made of.

  • Plunging and rodding for a blockage close to a sink, toilet or gully.
  • Drain rods and cutters for solid obstructions, such as a clump of roots.
  • High pressure water jetting, sometimes called hydro jetting, which scours the inside of the pipe with a strong stream of water to shift grease, scale and silt.

If you want drain cleaning Bristol households can book, the first step is working out whether the problem is local to one fitting or affects the whole drain. A single slow basin points to the waste pipe or trap. Several fittings backing up at once, or a gully overflowing outside, point to the main drain.

What causes blocked drains in Bristol homes?

Most blockages come from what goes down the pipe, but the age of the drain and the street it sits in play a part too.

  • Fat, oil and grease from cooking, which cools and sets inside the pipe.
  • Wipes. Even the ones sold as flushable do not break down like toilet paper.
  • Hair and soap in shower and basin wastes.
  • Tree roots that find the gaps in the joints of old clay drains, common behind Victorian terraces.
  • Leaves and silt clogging gullies, especially in autumn on tree-lined streets.
  • Limescale narrowing waste pipes in a hard water area.
  • Damaged pipe, where a section has cracked or slipped and catches debris.

In terraces and converted flats, one shared drain can serve several homes, so a blockage further along can back up into yours.

Is a blocked drain my responsibility or Wessex Water's?

This catches many people out. In 2011 the law changed so that water companies took over many drains and sewers that used to be private. In Bristol that company is Wessex Water.

  • The drain that serves only your home, from the house to your boundary, is generally your responsibility.
  • A pipe shared with neighbours, and the public sewer in the street, are generally Wessex Water's.

If the blockage sits beyond your boundary or in a shared pipe, contact Wessex Water first. If you are unsure, we can look at the drain, work out which side of the line the problem is on and tell you who should deal with it. If you rent, tell your landlord or agent as well, since drains are usually part of what they look after.

There is no honest flat price, because blockages differ. These things change the quote.

  • Where the blockage is, and how easy the drain is to reach
  • Whether a manhole or inspection cover is buried, painted over or inside a locked yard
  • How severe it is, and whether rodding is enough or jetting is needed
  • Whether a camera survey is needed to find a repeat problem
  • Whether the blockage turns out to be damage that needs a repair

Many simple blockages clear in a single visit. Heavier build up, or a long run of drain, takes longer. We explain the plan and quote in writing before starting, so there are no surprises on the day.

What should I expect on the day, and when should I call?

The plumber asks what you have noticed, finds the nearest access point, lifts the cover and sees where the water stops. They clear the blockage, flush the pipe through and run the taps or flush the toilet to check the flow. You are told what caused it and how to avoid it happening again. If the drain looks damaged, they say so and explain the next step. The area is washed down and left tidy.

Ring us if

  • More than one sink, bath or toilet is draining slowly
  • You hear gurgling when you flush or run water
  • There is a smell of sewage in the house or garden
  • A gully or manhole is overflowing

If a drain keeps blocking, it may be damaged, and our sewer line repair page explains what then. If sewage is coming up inside the house, treat it as urgent and read our emergency plumbing page. Our home page lists everything else we do.

How it works

  1. Call or tap for help

    Tell us what is wrong. We answer around the clock.

  2. Plumber dispatched

    The nearest plumber heads your way with a stocked van.

  3. Fixed with a written price

    You approve the price before any work starts.

What you can expect

  1. Open 24/7

  2. Upfront pricing

  3. Clear communication

  4. Local plumbers

How soon do you need help?

Questions about emergency plumber in Bristol

Can I use shop-bought drain cleaner?

Chemical drain cleaners can work on small blockages, but they are harsh, can damage older pipes and traps, and are hazardous for whoever has to open the drain afterwards. Never mix products, and wear gloves and eye protection. If one does not work first time, stop and call a plumber, and tell them what you used so they can take care.

Are wet wipes really flushable?

Most are not. Wipes do not break down in water the way toilet paper does. They catch on rough pipe walls and bind with fat and hair into dense blockages. Even those labelled flushable can cause trouble in old Victorian drains. The safe rule is to put wipes in the bin, and only flush toilet paper.

Will jetting damage my old clay drains?

It should not when it is done properly. The pressure and nozzle are chosen to suit the pipe. A drain that is already cracked or badly jointed may show its problems once cleaned, but the jetting is not the cause. If the plumber sees damage, they will tell you and explain the repair options.

How do I stop my kitchen drain blocking again?

Wipe greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing, and put cooking fat in a container for the bin rather than down the sink. Use a strainer to catch food scraps. Flush the drain with hot water now and then. If it keeps blocking, the pipe may have a dip, scale or damage, and a closer look is worth it.

Why does my drain smell?

The usual causes are a dry trap under a little-used basin, a blocked gully outside, or a build up of grease and debris in the pipe. Running water into rarely used fittings often cures a dry trap. If the smell stays, or comes from outside, the drain probably needs cleaning or checking.

Who clears a blockage in a shared terrace drain?

If a pipe is shared by several homes, it is generally Wessex Water's to look after, so call them first. If the blockage is in the part that serves only your home, you are generally responsible. We can help you work out which it is before you pay for a visit that was not needed.

Ready when you are

Call now or request a quote online.

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