London & Surrey
Drainage Unblocking
We offer drainage unblocking services — whether it’s a slow-draining sink or a completely blocked drain.
We offer drainage unblocking services — whether it’s a slow-draining sink or a completely blocked drain, our experienced engineers are ready to help!











South London Drainage Unblocking
We specialise in professional drainage unblocking services for homes, businesses, landlords and letting agents across South London. Whether you’re dealing with a slow-draining sink, a foul-smelling gully, or a completely blocked drain, our experienced engineers are ready to fix the issue — quickly, cleanly and affordably.

Drainage Unblocking Methods
There are several effective methods to unblock drains, each suited to different types of blockages.



Manual Rodding
Usually for surface-level blockages.
Manual rodding is often the first step when dealing with straightforward or surface-level blockages. Our engineers use flexible, high-strength drainage rods to manually push or break up obstructions within pipes — ideal for removing build-ups of toilet paper, food waste, or hair.
This is a fast, effective method that doesn’t require machinery or water pressure, making it a cost-effective solution for minor domestic drainage issues.
Best for:
- Blocked toilets
- Sinks with food or soap build-up
- Light blockages close to the surface
HIGH-PRESSURE WATER JETTING
Using specialist high-pressure water jets, we can remove blockages and debris from your pipes.
For more stubborn or deep-seated blockages, we use high-pressure water jetting. This technique uses powerful jets of water to blast through grease, fat deposits, mud, silt, scale, or even minor tree root growth.
Jetting doesn’t just clear the immediate blockage — it also thoroughly cleans the inside of your pipes, helping to prevent future clogs.
Why it works:
- Fast and highly effective
- Non-invasive
- Removes stubborn residue and scale
- Suitable for domestic and commercial pipework
Common uses:
- Grease and fat build-up in kitchens
- Commercial drains
- Outdoor drains clogged by soil or leaves


CCTV SURVEY DRAINAGE
CCTV surveys are a cost-effective and non-invasive way of assessing the health of your drainage systems identifying any potential issues.
When the cause of a blockage isn’t clear — or the same issue keeps coming back — we carry out a CCTV drain inspection. Using a waterproof camera on a flexible cable, we inspect the full length of your underground drainage system in real-time.
This allows us to pinpoint problems like:
- Pipe damage or collapse
- Tree root intrusion
- Misaligned or poorly connected joints
- Obstructions deep in the system
You’ll also receive a full report and video footage upon request — useful for property purchases, landlord compliance, or insurance claims.
Ideal for:
- Recurring drainage issues
- Diagnosing unseen damage
- Pre-purchase drain checks for new homes
Root Cutting & Pipe Descaling
Effective solutions for removing tree roots and scale build-up in drains.
Over time, tree roots can penetrate drain joints or cracks in underground pipes, especially in older systems. Once inside, they grow rapidly — causing blockages, damage, and even structural collapse.
We use rotating mechanical blades or water-powered root cutters to remove roots without excavation.
Additionally, we offer pipe descaling, which removes mineral build-up and corrosion in cast iron or older metal pipes — restoring smooth flow and extending the life of your system.
Used for:
- Tree root removal
- Cast iron pipe maintenance
- Long-term flow issues


Preventative Drain Maintenance
Regular maintenance to prevent drain blockages and costly repairs.
Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure — especially in high-use environments like rental properties, restaurants, or office blocks. We offer scheduled drain maintenance packages to keep your drainage systems running smoothly.
This may include:
- Routine jetting
- CCTV checks
- Gully cleaning
- Grease trap clearance
- Emergency response planning
Regular maintenance helps avoid costly emergencies, protects your property, and keeps tenants or staff happy.
Perfect for:
- Landlords and letting agents
- Commercial kitchens
- Property managers and facilities teams

Blocked Drain Causes & Signs
Common causes of blocked drains & early warning signs to watch for...



What Causes Blocked Drains?
Blocked drains are more common than most people realise.
Everyday household activities and environmental factors can all contribute to a blockage. Here are some of the most common causes we deal with:
- Fat, oil and grease from cooking
- Hair and soap residue in bathroom drains
- Wet wipes, sanitary products and paper towels
- Food waste and coffee grounds in kitchen sinks
- Leaves, silt, and garden debris in outdoor drains
- Tree root intrusion into underground pipework
- Structural damage or pipe collapse
No matter the cause, our team uses the latest technology to locate and remove the blockage efficiently — and prevent it from coming back.
Common Signs of a Blocked Drain
Not all drain blockages are immediately obvious.
Catching the early warning signs can help you avoid costly damage or disruption:
- Slow draining sinks or bathtubs
- Gurgling or bubbling noises from plugholes or toilets
- Unpleasant smells from drains or manholes
- Toilets rising too high or not flushing properly
- Water backing up into sinks, showers or outdoor gullies
- Flooding or standing water near drains or manholes
If you’re in London or South London and need urgent help, we offer emergency drain unblocking services – call us anytime for fast, local support.

Drainage Unblocking Services FAQs
London & South London | A Lings Group Limited
The most common causes include a build-up of fat, oil and grease (especially in kitchen sinks), wet wipes and sanitary items being flushed down toilets, and hair and soap scum in bathroom drains. Outdoor drains are often blocked by leaves, mud, and even invasive tree roots. In some cases, old or damaged pipework can collapse or shift, creating recurring blockages.
Look out for signs like water draining slowly, strange gurgling noises from plugholes, unpleasant smells from your drains, or water backing up in sinks or showers. You might also notice manhole covers overflowing outside. If in doubt, it’s best to have the system inspected before the problem worsens.
Prices vary depending on the severity and location of the blockage. A standard domestic blockage using rods may cost from £120.00, while high-pressure water jetting or CCTV surveys may be slightly more. We always provide a fixed, transparent quote before starting work — with no hidden fees.
No — our experienced engineers take care to work cleanly and respectfully. Most blockages can be cleared without digging or disruption. If external access is needed (like lifting a manhole), we ensure everything is put back as found, and we tidy up thoroughly afterward.
The most common causes include:
- Fat, oil, and grease build-up
- Limescale (especially in hard water areas like South London)
- Tree roots penetrating old pipework
- Non-flushable items (wipes, sanitary products)
To prevent issues:
- Never pour fats or oils down sinks
- Avoid flushing anything except toilet paper
- Use strainers in sinks and showers
- Book regular descaling in hard water zones (e.g., Balham, Croydon)
Not always. CCTV drain surveys are typically recommended if:
- The blockage keeps returning
- There are signs of pipe damage (like subsidence or water pooling)
- You’re buying or selling a property and want to inspect the drainage
- You’re a landlord or commercial client needing regular reports
Our engineer will advise if a CCTV inspection is necessary after an initial assessment.
Yes. If left untreated, a blocked drain can cause waste water to back up into your property, leading to internal flooding, bad smells, and potentially serious structural or hygiene issues. In extreme cases, pipework can crack or collapse under pressure, requiring costly repairs. Acting quickly helps avoid damage and disruption.
We’re always on standby for fast response. Our local teams aim to attend within 1–2 hours across South London, including Brixton, Wimbledon, Dulwich, Croydon, and Clapham. Most blockages are cleared on the first visit.
Yes. We work with landlords, restaurants, shops, offices, care homes, letting agents, and more. We can carry out out-of-hours visits, offer ongoing maintenance contracts, and provide documentation such as CCTV reports for compliance or insurance purposes.
Where We Provide Expert Drainage Unblocking Services
We proudly offer our drainage services across a wide range of locations in and around London, including Banstead, Carshalton, Caterham, Croydon, South Croydon, Coulsdon, Kenley, Kingston Upon Thames, Mitcham, Morden, New Malden, Purley, Surbiton, Sutton, Thames Ditton, Thornton Heath, Wallington, Warlingham, Wimbledon, Whyteleafe, and Worcester Park. Our coverage extends across key postcode areas such as BN, BR, CR, GU, KT, RH, SE, SM, SW, and TW, ensuring reliable and accessible service for both residential and commercial clients throughout South West London and the surrounding counties.
Why choose a.lings for drainage?
Whether it’s emergency repairs, CCTV surveys or general drain maintenance, we offer fast, reliable services throughout London & Surrey.
You can trust our qualified drainage specialists to deliver exceptional workmanship and ensure your home or business drainage operates smoothly, all at a fair and transparent price.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Our drainage experts are on hand for emergencies. If you are experiencing a blocked drain or have a leak that’s causing property damage, give our office team a call and we will send someone out ASAP.

FULLY QUALIFIED & INSURED
To make sure our work always meets the highest standards, all of our drain specialists hold the following qualifications and accreditations; WRAS, CHAS, Safe Contractor, WJA (Water Jetting Association)

FAST RESPONSE
TIMES
Our dedicated office team always make sure to respond quickly to any enquiries. If your issue is an emergency, we will make sure to prioritise the job to get you back up and running.

TRANSPARENT PRICING
We know it’s important to deliver quality work at a good value price. Our quotes are quick, straightforward, and transparent, ensuring there are no hidden fees. You can contact our team for any quote queries.
WJA Certified Drainage Specialists
Precision & Safety in High Pressure Water Jetting
Choosing a WJA certified drainage specialist means hiring a professional trained to the highest standards in safe, efficient, and effective high pressure water jetting techniques.
WJA accreditation ensures that our specialists follow strict safety protocols, minimising risk while delivering powerful cleaning and unblocking solutions for drains, sewers, and industrial pipework. For professional drainage solutions backed by industry recognised training, trust A.Lings to get the job done right.
emergency drain unblocking, london
At A.Lings Group, we’re dedicated to providing reliable and professional emergency drainage unblocking services across London.
From the moment you reach out to us, our team ensures a seamless process. From dispatching a qualified drainage expert promptly to delivering expert diagnosis and repairs. With a commitment to safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, we strive to keep your home or business flowing and fuss free. Let us handle your drainage needs with the expertise and care you can trust.

REQUEST OUR
ASSISTANCE
Contact our helpline to report your drainage issue. Our friendly team is ready to assist you ASAP.

DRAINAGE EXPERT
DISPATCHED
A qualified drainage professional will be dispatched to your location promptly, ensuring help arrives fast.

DIAGNOSIS &
REPAIR
Our expert will assess the problem and carry out necessary repairs to get your drains running smoothly.

DRAINS RESTORED, PROBLEM SOLVED!
Enjoy peace of mind knowing your drainage issue has been resolved with safety and reliability in mind.