Blocked drain? We'll come and fix it for you
Slow sink, gurgling pipes or a blocked toilet? Book a one-off drainage call-out and we'll come and clear it. Call 0333 772 6247.
A blocked drain never turns up at a good time. Whether it's a sink that won't empty, a blocked toilet, or water pooling in the garden, the quickest fix is to get someone out to clear it. With a one-off drain unblocking call-out from Smart Plan, you can phone us and book a visit to deal with the blockage there and then. Call 0333 772 6247 to arrange it.
Smart Plan is a service plan, not insurance, run by UK Boiler Company Ltd, which has been trading since 2014. You don't need to be on a cover plan to book a one-off drainage visit. There's a £95 call-out fee, payable in advance, and we'll explain what's involved before any work begins.
Signs you've got a blocked drain
It's usually easy to spot a blockage building up. Common signs include:
- Water draining slowly from a sink, bath or shower
- Gurgling sounds from the plughole or toilet
- A bad smell coming from the drain or plughole
- Water rising in the toilet bowl, or a blocked toilet that won't flush away
- Water backing up into the sink, bath or shower
- Water pooling around an outside drain or gully
What causes a blocked drain?
Most blockages build up over time from everyday use. Knowing the cause helps us clear it quickly, and helps you prevent the next one. Indoor blockages tend to build over weeks or months, while outdoor ones can happen in a single autumn weekend.
Common causes of blocked drains
| Where it happens | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Kitchen sink | Cooking fat, oil and food scraps that set hard in the pipe, plus coffee grounds |
| Bathroom sink, bath and shower | Hair and soap building up over time |
| Toilet | Wet wipes, sanitary products and too much paper |
| Outside drains | Fallen leaves, silt and other garden debris |
| Underground pipes | Tree roots growing in through joints and cracks |
Safe things to try before you call
A few simple, safe steps can shift a minor blockage. For a slow sink, a plunger held over the plughole and worked up and down a few times can loosen what's stuck. For a greasy kitchen drain, pouring hot water down in two or three stages, sometimes with a little washing-up liquid, can help dissolve the grease.
A couple of safety rules. Don't pour strong chemical drain cleaners into a fully blocked pipe, as they can damage older pipes and rarely reach the real blockage. And don't try to lift heavy drain covers on your own. If none of that clears it, that's when to call us on 0333 772 6247 for a one-off drain unblocking visit.
Booking a one-off drainage call-out
Booking is simple. Phone us on 0333 772 6247, Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00, and we'll arrange a visit to clear your blocked drain. Our engineer will find the blockage and clear it, using the right tools for the job, such as drain rods or high-pressure jetting. A £95 call-out fee applies and is payable in advance, and we'll let you know the cost of any further work before it goes ahead. One-off works don't carry a workmanship guarantee, so if you'd like longer-term peace of mind, our Drainage cover module is worth a look.
Prefer ongoing drainage cover?
If drains are a recurring headache, you can add Drainage to a Smart Plan cover plan instead of paying per visit. The Drainage module covers parts and labour up to £500 per 12-month period for the covered drainage problems on your cover sheet. It's monthly rolling cover to begin with, but once you use any service a 12-month agreement period kicks in, and leaving early means paying the remaining months or 75% of the outstanding balance. You build your own cover by picking only the modules you want, so you don't pay for what you don't use. Smart Plan is rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Smelling gas, not drains?
A drain smell is unpleasant but not dangerous. The smell of gas is different. If you can ever smell gas, or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, leave it to a Gas Safe registered engineer. Call the free National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999 straight away, open windows, and don't switch anything electrical on or off. Any gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, never as DIY. You can safely check your boiler's thermostat, pressure and reset button, but only in the way your boiler manual describes.
Blocked drain FAQs
How much does it cost to unblock a drain?
A £95 call-out fee applies to one-off drainage work, payable in advance. If any further work is needed, we'll explain the cost before we start, so there are no surprises. Call 0333 772 6247 to book.
What hours can I book a one-off drainage call-out?
One-off drainage work is carried out Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. Call 0333 772 6247 during those hours and we'll arrange a visit to clear your blocked drain.
Is there a guarantee on one-off drainage work?
One-off works don't carry a workmanship guarantee. If you'd like ongoing protection, our Drainage cover module includes parts and labour up to £500 per 12-month period for the drainage work that module covers.
Can I unblock a drain myself first?
You can try a few safe things: a plunger over the plughole, or pouring hot water down a greasy kitchen drain in stages. Don't use harsh chemical drain cleaners on a fully blocked pipe, and don't lift heavy drain covers on your own. If it doesn't clear, call us on 0333 772 6247.
My toilet is blocked and overflowing. What should I do?
Stop flushing, as that only adds more water. If you can reach the isolation valve behind the toilet, turn off the supply. Mop up safely, then call us on 0333 772 6247 to book a visit and clear the blockage.
Do I need to be on a cover plan to book a repair?
No. A one-off drain unblocking call-out is pay-as-you-go, so anyone can book it. If you'd rather have ongoing cover, you can add a Drainage module to a Smart Plan instead. That's monthly rolling cover, but once you use a service a 12-month agreement period applies, and leaving early means paying the remaining months or 75% of the outstanding balance.
Got a blocked drain right now?
Call 0333 772 6247 to book a one-off drainage call-out, Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00. A £95 call-out fee applies. Or build your own Smart Plan cover online.
Call us today
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0333 772 6247New customers
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2nd Floor, Melrose House
42 Dingwall Road
Croydon
CR0 2NE