How Long Does It Typically Take to Clear a Blocked Drain?

Property Damage

When your drains stop working properly, it can cause stress, bad smells, and even property damage. The first thing most people want to know is how long it will take to get things back to normal. Whether you are dealing with a blocked kitchen sink, a slow-draining bath, or an overflowing manhole outside, understanding how long it takes to clear a blockage helps you plan and know when to call a professional.

At Pro Drainage Group, we help customers across Bournemouth, Southampton, Poole, Andover, Bridport, Wimborne, Ferndown, Corfe Mullen, and Corfe Castle with fast and reliable drain clearance. Our expert engineers deal with blocked drains Bournemouth, blocked drains Southampton, and many other areas every day. With the right tools and experience, most blockages are cleared within one to two hours.

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What Affects How Long It Takes to Clear a Blocked Drain

Several factors influence how long it takes to clear a blockage. Every property and every drainage system is different, so our engineers assess each job individually.

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The Type of Blockage

The type of blockage has the biggest impact on how long it takes to clear. Simple blockages caused by grease, soap scum, or hair can often be resolved in under an hour. More severe problems, such as tree roots, collapsed pipes, or solidified fatbergs, take longer. Our team uses specialist tools and techniques to ensure the job is done properly, not just temporarily fixed.

Where the Blockage Is Located

If the blockage is located inside your property, such as in a sink, toilet, or shower waste, it is usually straightforward to clear. Outdoor blockages in underground pipes, gullies, or sewer lines can take longer. Our engineers use professional equipment such as a porta reel to reach deep into the drainage system and remove blockages quickly.

How Easy the Drains Are to Access

Accessibility also plays a role. If your manhole covers are easy to reach, clearance is faster. However, if your drains are buried under patios or decking, our team may need to lift sections carefully to gain access. We always aim to work efficiently while keeping disruption to your home or business to a minimum.

The Equipment Used

Modern drainage work relies on technology. As a leading blocked drain company, Pro Drainage Group uses state-of-the-art tools including high-pressure water jetting, mechanical rodding, and CCTV drain surveys. Using the right equipment ensures the blockage is fully removed, reducing the risk of future problems.

Typical Drain Clearance Times

For most domestic blockages, such as blocked drains Bournemouth or blocked drains Southampton, clearance usually takes between one and two hours. Commercial sites such as restaurants, hotels, or offices may take longer due to larger pipe networks and heavier usage.

If our engineers find that the drain is damaged rather than blocked, further work such as a repair or pipe replacement may be required. In these cases, we conduct a full inspection using a drain survey Swindon or similar service to confirm the cause and recommend the best long-term fix.

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Our Professional Drain Clearance Process

Our process is thorough, efficient, and designed to provide lasting results.

Initial Assessment

We begin every job by assessing the situation. Our engineers check all accessible points, identify where the problem is, and decide on the best way to clear it. This ensures a fast and accurate solution.

CCTV Drain Survey

If the problem is unclear, we carry out a CCTV drain survey Swindon or in your local area. This involves sending a small waterproof camera into the drain to view the blockage in real time. The footage helps us locate the exact cause, saving time and preventing unnecessary digging. You can learn more on our CCTV Drain Surveys page.

Drain Clearance

Once we know what we are dealing with, our engineers get to work. We use:

High-pressure water jetting to break up grease, fat, and debris

Mechanical rodding for smaller, near-surface blockages

Porta reel equipment for deep or complex systems

This combination allows us to clear most blocked drains Poole, blocked drain Bournemouth, and blocked drain Southampton jobs on the same visit.

Final Testing

After the blockage is removed, we test the system to ensure everything flows smoothly. We also provide professional advice on how to prevent future blockages.

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Emergency Drain Unblocking Services

Blocked drains rarely happen at convenient times. That is why Pro Drainage Group provides 24-hour emergency drain unblocking throughout the South of England. Whether you have a blocked drain Bournemouth, a blocked drain Southampton, or a blocked drains Poole emergency, our engineers are available day and night.

We also provide septic tank emptying Andover for rural homes and commercial properties. Regular maintenance and emptying prevent overflow, unpleasant smells, and environmental damage. You can learn more about this service on our Septic Tank Services page.

For industry guidance on maintaining private drains and sewers, visit Water UK.

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Preventing Future Blocked Drains

Preventing a blockage is always better than fixing one. Simple maintenance and good habits keep your drainage system flowing freely.

Do not pour fat, oil, or grease down sinks. They cool and solidify in pipes.

Install drain guards to catch hair, food, and debris before they enter the system.

Flush your drains with hot water regularly to reduce residue build-up.

Schedule professional cleaning with a trusted blocked drain company such as Pro Drainage Group.

Book annual CCTV drain inspections to identify minor issues early.

These steps will help you avoid future blocked drains Bournemouth, blocked drains Southampton, and across all surrounding areas.

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Why Choose Pro Drainage Group

Customers across the South of England trust us because we combine experience, technology, and honest pricing.

Our engineers are highly trained and fully insured. We use modern equipment such as porta reels, high-pressure jetting systems, and CCTV cameras to deliver fast and effective results. We also pride ourselves on clear communication and no hidden charges.

As a professional blocked drain company, we provide services to homeowners, landlords, businesses, and public facilities across Bournemouth, Southampton, Poole, Andover, and Swindon.

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If you have blocked drains Bournemouth, blocked drains Southampton, blocked drains Poole, or anywhere across the South, contact Pro Drainage Group today. Our expert engineers are available 24 hours a day to help keep your property safe and your drains flowing freely.