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A 24-hour drain clearance specialist will aim to be at your home as soon as possible. Some tradespeople can arrive in as little as 30 minutes, but others may not be at your home for several hours.

The following factors impact how long it takes for a 24-hour drain clearance company to arrive at your home:

• Traffic conditions

• Distance the tradesperson needs to travel

• Availability – you will need to wait longer if the tradesperson is already working at another property

Ask for an estimated time frame when hiring a drain clearance specialist. You may want to contact other drain clearance companies in the area if you can’t wait several hours for the plumbing problem to be fixed.

Not all blocked drain issues are classed as an emergency. For example, a slow-draining shower or a leaky tap are not emergency situations. Minor plumbing problems often don’t need urgent repairs and can be fixed during standard working hours.

The following issues require emergency assistance from a 24-hour drain clearance service:

• Wastewater / sewerage overflowing into your home

• Flooding / large leaks

• Blocked pipes causing dangerous structural damage

• Toilet and other amenities can’t be used

If possible, you can save money on an emergency call-out fee by using DIY drain unblocking methods and waiting to call a plumber during working hours.

An emergency drain clearance service is typically only needed if the blocked drain is putting you and your home in immediate danger. For example, large leaks can cause severe water damage, and an overflowing toilet can put your health at risk.

A blocked drain is not always classed as an emergency. For instance, a slow-draining shower with hair in the pipes can wait to be unblocked by a regular plumber. It is also not considered an emergency situation if you have multiple toilets and only one of them is blocked.

A blocked drain is typically only an emergency if there is water overflowing from the toilet or a burst pipe has caused a major leak. Removing a blockage far down in the pipes can be challenging, and you will likely need the help of a drain clearance service.

Read our expert guide to discover if your blocked drain is an emergency situation or not.

It is mandatory for all plumbers and tradespeople providing drain clearance services in the UK to have public liability insurance. Accidents and damage can happen during emergency drain clearance work, and hiring an insured professional is necessary to make sure repair costs are covered.

Alongside public liability insurance, drain specialists may also have other policies in place to protect their business should anything go wrong during a job. We recommend always asking a tradesperson for their insurance details before agreeing to hire them.

Only 24-hour drain clearance services in SE20 with current public liability insurance cover get the Checkatrade stamp of approval.

It is also important to check that a drain clearance specialist is providing a high-quality service. Reputable tradespeople in this field of work are often accredited with the following organisations:

• National Association of Drainage Contractors (NADC)

• Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme (WIAPS)

Experienced tradespeople use various methods to clear a blocked drain. Drain clearance professionals use specialist equipment to locate the blockage in the pipes and remove the obstruction from the drainage system.

Professional drain clearance methods include:

• Drain jetting – Using high-pressure water to break up debris and move it through the pipes

• Drain rodding – Inserting a flexible rod into the drain to break down the buildup of materials and remove them from the system

• CCTV drain survey – A CCTV camera is inserted into the pipes to find the source of the blockage

Professional tradespeople will answer any questions you have about the drain clearance methods they provide.

You can find reliable 24-hour drain clearance companies in SE20 by following these simple steps:

1. Ask friends and family for local recommendations
2. Ask your regular plumber if they know of any 24-hour drain clearance services in the area
3. Request detailed quotes from two or more drain clearance companies to find the best price
4. Ask for insurance and guarantee information
5. Hire a tradesperson with experience working on your local drainage network
6. Read customer reviews and check online business ratings
7. Search the Checkatrade directory

All Checkatrade approved drain clearance services in SE20 have passed 12 rigorous checks and meet our high standards. We only approve local tradespeople who consistently offer a high quality service.

For extra peace of mind, the work of all tradespeople hired through Checkatrade is covered by a 12 month £1000* guarantee – T&Cs apply.

Use our search tool or our Post a Job feature to find reliable 24 hour drain clearance companies near you.