What causes blocked drains in homes?

The most common causes are a build-up of grease, fat and food debris in kitchen drains, hair and soap scum in bathroom drains, and root ingress or collapsed pipework in outdoor drains. Baby wipes, cotton pads and sanitary products flushed down toilets are also a very frequent cause of blockages. Regular maintenance can help prevent most blockages from developing.

Can you unblock a drain on the same day?

In most cases, yes. We carry drain rods, high-pressure water jetting equipment and CCTV drain cameras in our vans, so we can tackle most blockages the same day you call. Severe root ingress or collapsed pipes may require additional investigation, but we'll advise you fully before any extra work is carried out.

How do I know if I have a blocked drain?

Common signs include slow-draining sinks or baths, gurgling noises from pipes or toilets, unpleasant odours from drains, and in more serious cases, water backing up out of the drain. If you notice any of these, it's worth calling us before the blockage becomes a complete stoppage.

Do you use water jetting or drain rods?

We use the most appropriate method for each situation. Drain rods work well for straightforward blockages, while high-pressure water jetting is more effective for stubborn grease build-up and longer runs of pipework. For suspected root ingress or structural issues we use CCTV cameras to inspect the drain before recommending a solution.

Is drain clearance covered by home insurance?

Some home insurance policies include drainage cover — it's worth checking your policy documents or calling your insurer. We can provide a detailed report of the blockage and the work carried out, which most insurers will accept as supporting documentation for a claim.

Blocked Drain Specialists in Greenwich

Blocked drains cleared fast in Greenwich — from sinks and toilets to outside drains, we'll get things flowing again today.

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Clear & Upfront Pricing
24/7 Callouts, 365 Days A Year
Trusted Local Business
Gas Safe Registered Installers
£5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance

0203 886 2602

Greenwich Plumbers drainage engineer clearing a blocked drain in Greenwich

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Blocked Drain Specialists in Greenwich

A blocked drain can quickly turn into a messy, unpleasant problem — slow-draining sinks, gurgling pipes, unpleasant smells and, in the worst cases, water backing up into your home. Greenwich Plumbers 247 clear blocked drains quickly and cleanly across Greenwich and the surrounding SE10, SE3, SE7, SE8, SE13, SE18, SE9 and SE12 areas, restoring proper flow with the minimum of fuss.

We deal with every kind of blockage, from kitchen sinks clogged with grease and bathroom drains full of hair, to blocked toilets and larger external drains affected by wipes, debris or tree roots. For stubborn or recurring problems, we can carry out a CCTV drain survey to see exactly what's going on underground and target the blockage precisely, rather than treating the symptoms.

Plenty of Greenwich homes, especially the older streets around Deptford and Lewisham, still run on ageing clay drainage that blocks or cracks — we find and clear it with minimal fuss.

Our engineers arrive prepared and work hygienically, leaving your home clean once the job is done. We'll also give you honest, practical advice on keeping your drains clear in future. With 24/7 availability, we're here whenever a blockage strikes.

Drain Unblocking Prices

Manual drain unblocking (first hour): from £95 + VAT

All prices are given upfront before work begins. For major drain issues we provide a full written quote. See our full pricing page for all service rates, or read our guide to choosing a reliable plumber in Greenwich.

Call 0203 886 2602

Greenwich Plumbers engineer using a CCTV drain camera to inspect a blocked drain in Greenwich

Our Drain Unblocking Process

Tell us the symptoms
Slow drainage, gurgling, bad smells or standing water — we take the details and get an engineer to you fast.
Locate the blockage
We identify where and what the blockage is, using drain rods or a camera survey for stubborn cases.
Clear the drain
We remove the blockage safely, whether it’s a build-up of grease, wipes, roots or debris.
Check & advise
We confirm the drain is flowing freely and offer simple advice to help prevent it happening again.

Blocked drain problems we sort in Greenwich

If you need a plumber in Greenwich for a stubborn blockage, we deal with everything from slow-running sinks to drains that back up after a heavy shower. From Victorian terraces in SE10 to flats near the river, our team finds the cause and clears it properly.

Blocked Toilet

A blocked toilet is often caused by too much paper, wipes, or a build-up further down the branch line. Our engineer checks the pan, clears the blockage with the right equipment, and makes sure the flush is working as it should before leaving.

Blocked Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks usually block because grease, food scraps, and soap residue cling to the pipework over time. We trace where the restriction is, clear it through without leaving a mess, and check whether the trap or waste pipe needs more attention.

Blocked Shower or Bath

Hair, soap scum, and limescale are common reasons showers and baths drain slowly or back up. We clear the waste pipe, test the flow, and look for any underlying issue that could cause repeat problems in your Greenwich home.

Outside Drain or Manhole Blockage

If an outside drain or manhole is overflowing, the problem is often further along the run, not just at the nearest gully. We lift the cover, assess the line, clear the obstruction safely, and check for signs of damage or collapse.

High-Pressure Drain Jetting

When a blockage is compacted or keeps coming back, high-pressure jetting can break through grease, sludge, and debris more effectively than rods alone. It is a good option for heavier use properties, including larger homes and shared drainage lines in areas like Blackheath or Charlton.

CCTV Drain Survey

If we suspect a cracked pipe, root ingress, or a recurring blockage, a CCTV drain survey lets us see inside the system without guesswork. We use the camera footage to identify the fault, explain what is happening, and recommend the right repair.

Bad Drain Smells

Bad smells from drains can come from trapped waste, a dry trap, or a partial blockage holding foul water in the pipe. We find the source, clear the line, and check for ventilation or seal issues so the smell does not keep coming back.

Expert Advice

“Not every blockage needs digging up. If a Greenwich drain keeps backing up, I'll put a camera down and find the real cause.”

RobertDrainage Specialist13 years’ experience

Frequently Asked Questions

: The most common causes are a build-up of grease, fat and food debris in kitchen drains, hair and soap scum in bathroom drains, and root ingress or collapsed pipework in outdoor drains. Baby wipes, cotton pads and sanitary products flushed down toilets are also a very frequent cause of blockages. Regular maintenance can help prevent most blockages from developing.
: In most cases, yes. We carry drain rods, high-pressure water jetting equipment and CCTV drain cameras in our vans, so we can tackle most blockages the same day you call. Severe root ingress or collapsed pipes may require additional investigation, but we'll advise you fully before any extra work is carried out.
: Common signs include slow-draining sinks or baths, gurgling noises from pipes or toilets, unpleasant odours from drains, and in more serious cases, water backing up out of the drain. If you notice any of these, it's worth calling us before the blockage becomes a complete stoppage.
: We use the most appropriate method for each situation. Drain rods work well for straightforward blockages, while high-pressure water jetting is more effective for stubborn grease build-up and longer runs of pipework. For suspected root ingress or structural issues we use CCTV cameras to inspect the drain before recommending a solution.
: Some home insurance policies include drainage cover — it's worth checking your policy documents or calling your insurer. We can provide a detailed report of the blockage and the work carried out, which most insurers will accept as supporting documentation for a claim.