Drain blocked? find the cause quickly
Drain not draining any more? Call 070 783 0224 or send us a photo.
Rated on Google · Price in advance · Guarantee on the work
With a blocked drain, the first question is: is it one drain, or several at once? That already tells you almost where the blockage is. Below you can read what's usually wrong with each drain, what you can safely do yourself and when it's time to call us.
Call me back
Leave your name and number and we'll call you. Prefer immediate contact? Call 070 783 0224 or message us.
One drain or several at once?
The blockage is then usually close to that drain: in the trap, the waste pipe under the kitchen sink or the shower drain. Often it's grease, soap or hair. You can sometimes solve this yourself.
Does the shower not drain when you flush, or does the kitchen sink gurgle when the washing machine pumps? Then the blockage is further along: in the soil stack or the sewer under or outside the house. Trying yourself is then pointless.
What's usually wrong with each drain
- Kitchen and sink: grease and food waste that solidify in the pipe. Hot water helps briefly; the grease settles further down again. See unblock kitchen sink.
- Shower and bath: hair and soap residue in the drain cover or trap. See blocked shower drain.
- Basin: hair, toothpaste and soap in the trap. See blocked basin.
- Washing machine: lint, hair and soap residue in the drain hose or standpipe; sometimes too narrow a drain. See washing machine drain blocked.
- Toilet: too much paper, wipes or something that doesn't belong. Wet wipes don't dissolve. See unblock toilet.
- Outside drain or downpipe: leaves, sand and moss. See blocked outside drain and blocked downpipe.
What you can safely do yourself
With a single drain you can try the following. If it doesn't work after one or two attempts, stop: continuing often makes it worse.
- Plunger: cover the overflow with a wet cloth and use a plunger with a few firm strokes.
- Clean the trap: put a bucket underneath, unscrew the trap and clean it. Make sure the rings go back properly.
- Drain and strainer: remove hair and dirt from the shower drain or the strainer of the kitchen sink.
Better not: chemical drain cleaners. They work poorly on grease and hair further down the pipe, are dangerous for skin and eyes, and can damage old pipes. Read more in drain unblockers: what works.
Call us if …
- several drains not draining or gurgling at the same time;
- water comes up in the shower or the drain outside;
- the blockage returns within a few weeks;
- you smell sewer odour that doesn't go away when you run water;
- you live in a flat and the neighbours are also having problems (then it may be the soil stack, and often the owners' association (VvE)).
We unblock using a drain snake or high-pressure jetting, depending on the drain. A normal blockage is usually cleared within an hour. If the blockage returns, we inspect with a camera to find out why: subsidence, roots or a sewer break cannot be solved by unblocking again.
What does unblocking a drain cost?
| Item | Excl. VAT | Incl. 21% VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked kitchen or kitchen sink | € 123,97 – € 150 | € 150 – € 181,50 |
| Toilet blockage | € 165 | € 199,65 |
| Unblocking soil stack | € 185 | € 223,85 |
| Unblock downpipe / rainwater drain | € 140 | € 169,40 |
| Clear blocked sewer pit | € 139 | € 168,19 |
| Mechanically clean sewer | € 130 | € 157,30 |
| Camera inspection if the blockage recurs | € 225 | € 272,25 |
Guide prices from the PandFix price list (October 2026). Call-out charge is additional: €35 excl. (€42.35 incl.), emergency €65 excl. (€78.65 incl.). Evening or weekend: surcharge €80 excl. (€96.80 incl.). Materials and extra hours only by agreement. You will always hear the price before we start.
Frequently asked questions about a blocked drain
Why is my drain gurgling?
Gurgling means air is coming up through the water because the water can't flow past properly. Often there's a partial blockage further along, or the pipe ventilation isn't working properly.
My drain smells but isn't blocked. What's that?
Often a dry trap in a drain that is rarely used, or a leaking connection. First run water in all drains. If the smell persists, read sewer smell in the house.
How long does unblocking take?
A normal blockage in one drain is usually cleared within an hour. If it's deep in the sewer or keeps coming back, it takes longer, for example if a camera inspection is needed.
Who pays for a blocked drain in a rental property?
A blockage from normal use in your own drain is often the tenant's responsibility; a blockage in the shared pipe or due to a defect in the pipe is usually the landlord's. Always report it to the landlord first.
What does it cost to have a blocked drain cleared?
According to our tariff list, a blockage in kitchen or sink costs €123.97 to €150 excl. VAT (€150 to €181.50 incl.), a blocked toilet €165 excl. (€199.65 incl.), plus call-out charges.
