Find the right drainage service
Drain problems fall into a few types, so it helps to start with the symptom. A slow sink or a full toilet bowl usually means blocked drains. A block outside the house is closer to drain unblocking, where the pipes and the owners differ. Each guide below explains the signs, the fixes and the typical UK costs.
If blocks keep coming back, a camera can show why. CCTV drain surveys film the inside of the pipe, while drain jetting cleans it with high-pressure water. Once a survey finds damage, drain repairs compares relining with digging, so you can weigh the cost of each.
Some problems cannot wait. The emergency drain services guide covers the safe first steps for sewage and flooding, which both carry risk. Macerator toilets have their own page, Saniflo and macerator repair. It covers jams, trips and pumps that run on.
Blocked Drains
Sinks, toilets and outside drains can all block, because each one collects waste. This page explains the fixes and typical UK costs.
- Blocked Toilet
- Blocked Sink
- Blocked Bath & Shower
Drain Unblocking
Drain unblocking covers sinks, toilets, baths and the pipes outside, and the method changes with each pipe. This page explains the options and typical UK costs.
- External Drain Unblocking
- Internal Drain Unblocking
CCTV Drain Surveys
A CCTV survey puts a camera inside the drain, so you see its real condition. This page explains what a survey shows and what it can cost.
- Pre-Purchase Drain Survey
- Drainage Investigation
Drain Jetting
Jetting uses high-pressure water to clear grease, scale and silt, and it scours the pipe walls too. This page explains when it helps and typical UK costs.
- Domestic Drain Jetting
- Commercial Drain Jetting
Emergency Drain Services
Flooding, sewage and total blockages need quick action, as they put health and property at risk. The request form stays open 24/7, and this page explains what to do first.
- Flooding Emergency
- Sewage Emergency
Drain Repairs
Cracked, collapsed or root-hit drains need repair, and the right method varies. This page compares relining with digging and gives typical UK costs.
- Pipe Relining
- Drain Excavation
Saniflo & Macerator Repair
Macerator units can jam, trip the power or run on, since they rely on a pump and blades. This page explains the common faults and what to check first.
Emergency Plumber
Burst pipes, leaks and overflowing toilets need quick action, since water spreads through a home. This page explains the first steps and typical UK costs.
Who owns the pipe?
Ownership decides who pays, so check it before you book work. Chelmsford City Council says Anglian Water handles sewers and blocked sewers in the Chelmsford area. It also says you are responsible for the drain that serves your own property.
Since 1 October 2011, many private sewers and lateral drains belong to the water companies, according to the Defra private sewers transfer guidance. Brentwood Borough Council names both Anglian Water and Thames Water, so check your postcode there. That check decides which company to call about a blocked sewer.
Typical UK costs at a glance
These are typical UK ranges from national price guides, not Essex quotes. Prices vary with access, pipe length and the cause of the problem. Each service page shows the figures and the sources in full.
| Job | Typical UK range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unblocking a domestic drain | £80 to £300 for minor to moderate blocks (Precise Drainage); average about £100 (MyJobQuote) | Precise Drainage Solutions, MyJobQuote |
| CCTV drain survey | £90 to £500, average about £250 (MyJobQuote); £200 to £350 plus VAT for a 2 to 3 bed home (Survey Match) | MyJobQuote, Survey Match |
| Drain jetting | £70 to £175 | MyJobQuote |
| Relining a drain, per metre | £80 to £150 at MyJobQuote; £70 to £250 at WP Drainage | MyJobQuote, WP Drainage |
| Collapsed drain repair | Average about £850; £1,000 to £3,000 for a fully collapsed pipe needing partial or full replacement | MyJobQuote |
The price guides checked gave no usable range for Saniflo repairs, so none appears here. Ask for a written quote before work starts, and ask whether there is a call-out charge. Compare two quotes if the job looks large, since prices differ between engineers.
Local pages for each town
Each town has its own page, because drain advice differs by area. The drain help in Chelmsford page is the main one. Drain help in Braintree and drain help in Brentwood cover the other larger towns.
You can also browse every town on the locations page. Each town page links to the services that apply there, so you can move from a town to a service guide. The links work both ways, and the service pages link back to the towns.
Ready to ask for help?
Use the request form at the top of this page. Say what the problem is and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. The form stays open 24/7. You can also use the contact page if you prefer.