Drainage Specialists - West Midlands, Warwickshire & Worcestershire
Fast, fixed-price drain unblocking with no call-out fee. Our engineers carry manual rodding and 3,000 PSI jetting equipment, and most blockages are cleared within 1-2 hours.
Our fixed-price drain unblocking services in Birmingham and across the West Midlands cover homes and commercial properties. These specialist drainage services are carried out by experienced drainage specialists with rodding, CCTV drain survey and jetting equipment on the van. Depending on the blockage, our engineers use rodding, drain cleaning or high-pressure jetting to clear blocked drains. If the camera finds a damaged joint or collapsed pipe, we explain the separate drain repairs rather than treating a structural fault as another routine blockage. We specialise in drainage services, not general plumbing services. Every clearance includes a camera check of the accessible drainage system, with the fixed price agreed before work starts. Coverage also extends into Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Manual drain rodding can clear a local obstruction made from toilet paper, soap residue or soft food waste. Our local engineers select an attachment for the pipe and access point, then test the flow after the blockage has moved. Straightforward drain clearance is included in the standard fixed-price service.
All our rod unblocks include a complimentary CCTV camera check afterwards to inspect the accessible drainage system and look for the cause of a repeat blockage. If the camera shows a cracked joint, root ingress or displaced pipe, we explain whether monitoring, further cleaning or a repair is appropriate.
Rodding will not remove every hard-packed deposit. Our engineers use 3,000 PSI high-pressure water jetting equipment and a variety of attachments to clear stubborn blockages, including hard-packed fat and grease, tree roots blocking the line, scale deposits, or years of accumulated debris. The high-pressure water stream cuts through the toughest obstructions whilst simultaneously cleaning the pipelines, removing fat deposits and scale.
Once the line is clear, a camera check can reveal any remaining deposits or structural drainage problem that could restrict flow again. Any repair is quoted separately.
Jetting is particularly effective in areas like Birmingham and Coventry, where Victorian clay pipes accumulate mineral deposits over decades. We carry multiple jetting nozzles, forward-firing for blockage penetration and rear-firing for pipe cleaning.
Across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, including Wolverhampton, and Coventry, thousands of properties still rely on salt-glazed clay pipes laid over a century ago. These pipes are durable but their joints deteriorate over time, allowing tree roots to penetrate and soil to wash in.
The Mercia Mudstone that underlies most of our service area is a heavy clay that shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters. This seasonal movement puts immense pressure on underground pipes, displacing joints in Solihull, Bromsgrove, and right across the region.
Many homes in Moseley, Kings Heath, Stirchley, Bournville, Harborne and Edgbaston still use salt-glazed clay drainage laid more than a century ago. The pipe can remain sound while its joints open through age and ground movement. Tree roots enter those gaps, catch wipes and grease, and turn a partial restriction into blocked drains affecting one or several neighbouring properties.
Shared laterals are common behind older terraces. We check which fixtures and inspection chambers are affected before deciding where to rod or jet. That helps distinguish a private blockage from a shared section that may fall under Severn Trent Water.
South Birmingham's 1930s housing and later extensions often combine clay drains with pitch-fibre sections added during the 1950s and 1960s. Pitch fibre can blister or deform inwards, leaving a narrow channel that blocks repeatedly. Rodding may restore flow for a short time, while a camera check shows whether the drainage system needs cleaning, a local repair or replacement.
Post-war estates around Erdington, Great Barr, Castle Bromwich and Sheldon bring different drainage problems, including poor falls, undersized connections and later alterations. Our drainage specialists carry rodding, drain cleaning and high-pressure jetting equipment so blocked drains can be treated according to the condition found on site.
Commercial and domestic call-outs cover Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, with a target response of 45 minutes for most city addresses. Prices start from £100 inc VAT, with a fixed price agreed before work starts and no call-out fee.
Slow sinks, gurgling noises, rising toilet water and an overflowing outside drain can all point to a restriction in the connected drainage system. We check which fixtures are affected before choosing the access point and clearing method.
Domestic blockage clearance covers individual homes and shared private runs. For commercial clients, landlords and facilities managers, our drainage services can include planned cleaning as well as rapid help with blocked drains. Urgent sewage backups are handled through our emergency drain unblocking service.
Kitchen Sinks
Fat, grease, and food waste build-up in kitchen trap and waste pipe
Excessive paper, foreign objects, or downstream drain issues
Bath & Shower
Hair, soap scum, and product build-up restricting flow
External Drains
Leaves, grit, silt, roots, and fat/grease from kitchen waste
Not sure whether your blocked drain needs professional attention? Here are the warning signs that a DIY fix will not cut it:
If your kitchen sink, bath, and toilet are all draining slowly, the blockage is in the main drain line, not the individual fixtures. This needs professional equipment to clear.
Gurgling when you flush the toilet or empty the bath means air is being trapped by a partial blockage. The blockage will only get worse and is much cheaper to clear now than when it becomes a full emergency.
A persistent sewer smell inside or outside the house indicates waste is sitting in the pipe rather than flowing through it. This is a health concern and needs prompt attention.
Standing water around external manholes after using the taps or flushing suggests the underground drain is not coping with the volume of water. Common in properties across Edgbaston, Harborne, and Moseley where mature trees restrict pipes.
If you are clearing the same drain every few months, there is a structural problem causing the blockages. A CCTV survey will find the root cause. Root ingress and collapsed pipes are the most common culprits in the older housing stock across Birmingham, Selly Oak, and Kings Heath.
Once you have called us, there are a few practical things you can do to minimise damage while waiting for the engineer to arrive:
Stop using water wherever possible. Every flush and every running tap sends more water into an already blocked system. If water is backing up into the house, turn off the mains supply at the stopcock if you can locate it.
Check your external manholes. If you feel comfortable lifting a manhole cover (use two hands, lift with your knees, not your back), you can see whether the chamber is full of standing water. This tells our engineer immediately whether the blockage is between the house and the manhole, or further downstream. Do not put your hands into the chamber.
Clear access. Remove anything blocking the path to manholes, drain covers, or gully traps. If the engineer can get straight to work, the job is done faster.
Do not use chemical drain products. Chemical unblockers rarely work on the type of blockages that need professional attention, and they make the job more hazardous for the engineer. If you have already poured chemicals down the drain, let us know when we arrive.
Every job follows the same professional process, no shortcuts, no surprises.
On-site fast, fully equipped
Locate and assess the blockage
Rod or jet to remove obstruction
CCTV check for root cause
Work guaranteed, area cleaned
We cover three counties from our offices in Birmingham and Solihull. Select your area for local information, response times, and pricing.
The West Midlands metropolitan county is our core service area, covering Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Wolverh...
View West Midlands areasWarwickshire stretches from the urban edges of Coventry through historic market towns like Warwick and Stratford-upon-Av...
View Warwickshire areasWorcestershire covers our extended service area from Bromsgrove and Redditch through to Worcester, Kidderminster, Droitw...
View Worcestershire areasFeedback from customers whose drainage problems we attended
"Craig, Jamie and colleague were excellent. Proper blokes, polite, friendly, knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything in layman terms. Highly recommended."
"Communication was excellent by Craig before, during and after the work. They were friendly, knowledgeable and hard working. They tidied up really well afterwards, neater than before they arrived!"
"Can't praise these guys enough!! Were helpful in the extreme in sorting a drain blockage for me - and over the New Year period too, finishing on New Years Day!"
A selection of drainage jobs from across our service area.
Prices start from £100 inc VAT for manual drain clearance, with no call-out fee. High-pressure jetting starts from £150 when it is needed. The final cost depends on the blockage and the work required, so we confirm a fixed price before starting.
Most addresses in Birmingham and Solihull are within our 45-minute target area. The usual target for the wider West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire is 60-90 minutes. For emergencies, call 0121 296 7829 and we will give you the current arrival estimate.
Soft blockages can often be cleared with manual rods. For stubborn or hard-packed obstructions, we carry 3,000 PSI high-pressure water jetting equipment. Every unblock includes a complimentary CCTV camera check of the accessible pipe beyond the cleared section, helping us identify the likely cause.
Same-day appointments are available across our coverage area. Sewage backing up or drains flooding are treated as emergencies, with a target response within the hour. You can call at any time, day or night.
Common causes of blocked drains include fat, oil and grease build-up, tree roots entering damaged joints, hair and soap scum. Wet wipes can catch and bind together, while collapsed or displaced pipes restrict the line itself. Older clay pipes are particularly vulnerable in areas with heavy clay soil, including the West Midlands.
Coverage includes Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall, as well as Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Call with your postcode if you would like us to confirm the likely response time.
Our target is within 45 minutes for most city addresses. South Birmingham is closest to our Cofton Hackett base, while journeys to northern districts can take 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Call 0121 296 7829 for the current estimate for your postcode.
Recurring blocked drains often point to root ingress, a displaced clay joint, a deformed pitch-fibre section or a low section of pipe that holds waste. Older shared drains can also affect more than one property. We clear the blockage and use a camera check to identify the likely cause before recommending any further work.
A private drain serving only your property is normally your responsibility. A lateral drain or shared sewer serving more than one property is usually Severn Trent Water's responsibility. We can trace the route and locate the blockage so you know which party to contact before paying for work on the wrong section.
Pitch-fibre pipe is common on estates built or altered during the 1950s and 1960s. Jetting may restore flow when the pipe is restricted, but a blistered or deformed section can need cutting out or lining. We explain what the camera shows and quote structural work separately through the appropriate drain-repair service.
Price is only one part of the decision. Our guide to choosing a drainage company explains how to check reviews, insurance, equipment, written quotes and the evidence behind a repair recommendation.
Our engineers carry equipment for multiple drainage tasks, so we can often handle several issues in a single visit.
Fast, fixed-price drain clearing using manual rodding or high-pressure jetting. Free CCTV camera check included with every job.
Current ServiceUrgent toilet unblocking available around the clock. We resolve everything from simple obstructions to deep waste-pipe blockages.
Unblock Blocked ToiletsHD camera inspections with same-day written reports. Ideal for home buyers, build-over applications, and diagnosing recurring problems.
Book a CCTV SurveyAvailable 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No extra charge for evenings, weekends, or bank holidays. Typically on site within 60 minutes.
Get Emergency Drainage HelpNo-dig patch lining and excavation repairs using WRc approved materials. Manufacturer-backed guarantee on all repair work.
View Pipe Repair Options3,000 PSI water jetting to clear stubborn blockages and descale pipes. Ideal for fat build-up, root ingress, and drain maintenance.
See Jetting ServicesCheckatrade Verified · 9.8/10 Rating · Fully Insured
Craig Argyle and Jamie Ruby founded Cofton DJS with over 10 years of drainage experience. All work uses WRc approved materials and comes with a written guarantee.
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Read More →Call us now or request a callback. Available 24/7 for emergencies.
