Get help with a blocked drain in Glasgow
A blocked drain can ruin your day. Slow sinks, rising water and bad smells are warning signs. Acting early still pays, because a small blockage can grow into damage.
This website helps you ask for drain unblocking in Glasgow and nearby towns. You send one request, and a drainage engineer can then contact you. Whether it is a blocked kitchen sink, a blocked toilet or a damaged outside drain, ask the engineer to explain the cause first. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Drainage services you can ask about
Drain Unblocking
Inside and outside drains View serviceCCTV Drain Surveys
Camera checks inside drains View serviceDrain Jetting
High-pressure jetting View serviceEmergency Drain Services
Request form open 24/7 View serviceDrain Repairs
Repair, relining and replacement View serviceHow the request process works
The steps are short, and the form is open 24/7. Here is what to expect when you send a request.
1) Send your request
Fill in the online form with your postcode and a short description. Detail helps, because the engineer can then understand the job before they call.
2) An engineer gets in touch
Your request goes to a drainage engineer, who can then contact you. This website cannot promise a time, because each engineer works to their own diary. So mark an urgent job as urgent. Ask for a written quote before you agree to anything.
3) Agree the work
The engineer may clear the drain with high-pressure jetting or check it with a CCTV drain camera. Ask them to explain what caused the problem, because that helps you stop it coming back.
What to ask before you agree to any work
The engineer who takes your job agrees the price with you. Because of that, a few questions protect you whichever engineer you speak to.
- A written quote Ask for the price in writing before any work starts. That way there are no surprises on the bill.
- Any call-out charge Ask whether there is a call-out charge and what it covers. Ask again if the job changes.
- Proof of insurance Ask to see proof of insurance before the engineer starts. Also ask what guarantee they offer, and ask for it in writing.
- Homes and businesses You can send a request for a single blocked sink in a flat or a grease-filled commercial kitchen drain. Say which one it is in the job details.
- Emergencies For flooding or sewage, read the page on emergency drain services first. It shows who to call, and the request form is open 24/7.
- Aftercare advice Ask what caused the blockage and how to avoid another. Our guide to preventing kitchen drain blockages gives examples.
Drains in Glasgow and nearby towns
This site covers Glasgow and eight nearby towns. They sit in four council areas, so the council that deals with road drains can differ. Each town page lists the services you can ask about.
Many people ask who looks after which pipe. You look after the private drain between your home and your property boundary. Scottish Water looks after the public sewer network, while the council looks after drainage on local roads.
Flats are different, because shared drains inside one block's grounds stay private. A drain becomes a public sewer when it leaves those grounds. If you rent, Scottish Water suggests a licensed plumber, or your landlord or the council.
Buying a home? A pre-purchase drain survey can show hidden problems before you commit. For a flooded property, read about emergency flooding help.
Areas covered
Common drainage problems
Drain problems fall into a few groups. Here is what causes each one, and what a drainage engineer may do.
Blocked sinks and toilets
Fat, hair and wipes are common causes. For example, Scottish Water says 80% of the blockages in its drains and sewers come from flushed items or fat poured down sinks. An engineer can clear the blockage and check the pipe further along.
Slow-draining baths and showers
Soap scum and hair can trap water and cause bad smells. Our bath and shower unblocking page explains the options. Ask the engineer how to stop it building up again, since the problem can return.
Outside drain and gully blockages
Leaves, mud and roots can block outside drains. A jetting machine can clear the pipe and the gully trap. If water floods a road, the council deals with road drainage.
Cracked or collapsed pipes
Old pipes can crack with age or ground movement. A CCTV check helps, because it can find the damage. An engineer may then suggest trenchless pipe relining or excavation if needed.
What an engineer might use
Engineers pick different tools for different blockages. High-pressure water jets can clear grease and silt, while drain rods shift solid blockages. A CCTV camera shows what is inside the pipe.
For complex jobs, ask to see the camera footage, because it shows the problem clearly. Then you can judge the fix. Ask for a plain explanation, with no jargon.
Health and safety law says people should enter a drain only where no alternative exists. So ask the engineer how they plan to do the job safely.
Helpful drainage guides
These plain-English guides explain how to spot problems early. They also show how to keep drains clear between visits. However, they do not replace an engineer's advice. You will find more on the drainage blog.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a blocked drain?
You are responsible for the private drain that runs from your home to your property boundary. Scottish Water looks after the public sewer network beyond that point, while you look after your own pipes. If you rent, Scottish Water suggests a licensed plumber, or your landlord or the council. If the blockage is in your own pipes, see our blocked drains help.
How much does it cost to clear a blocked drain?
Prices vary with the cause, the access and the type of drain. One UK guide from MyJobQuote put the average at around £100 in 2026, but other guides give different ranges. None of them is a Glasgow price. So ask for a written quote before work starts.
What should I ask an engineer before work starts?
Ask for a written quote before work starts. Ask whether there is a call-out charge, and what it covers. Ask to see proof of insurance, and ask what guarantee they offer. Then ask them to explain the cause of the blockage, because that helps you stop it coming back.
What should I do in a drainage emergency?
If flooding appears to contain sewage, call Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778. Its website shows that line as open 24 hours a day. However, for a blocked private drain, send a request and mark it urgent. Our page on emergency drain services explains more.
Which areas can I send a request for?
You can send a request for Glasgow and eight nearby towns. They sit in four council areas: Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. Each town has its own page, since drain rules and councils differ. See all the areas covered, or start with drain help in Glasgow.
Can I ask for help with a business drain?
Yes. You can send a request for a shop, office, restaurant or other business premises. Kitchens need extra care, because fat thickens in drains as it cools. Read about blockages, repairs and commercial drain jetting.
Need drainage help?
The request form is open 24/7, so you can ask at any time. Ask for a written quote before work starts anywhere in Glasgow and surrounding areas.
Request a Quote