Drain jetting in Exeter
When rods won't shift it, or the blockage keeps coming back, jetting cleans the whole pipe rather than punching a hole through the middle. It is the usual fix for outside drains and gullies full of grease, silt, scale or roots.
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Tell us what's happening and we'll pass it to a local drainage engineer.
Thanks, we have your request. A local drainage engineer will be in touch as soon as possible. If waste water is backing up, stop using water in the house until it has been cleared.
Signs you need drain jetting
- Water rising in an inspection chamber in the garden or drive
- A gully overflowing when it rains or when the washing machine empties
- Gurgling from sinks or the toilet as water drains
- Grease from a kitchen sink that has built up over time
- Roots found in a drain during a survey
- A drain that has been rodded but blocks again within weeks
What the job involves
In general, a jetter pushes water at high pressure through a hose with a nozzle that pulls itself along the pipe. The jets scour the pipe walls, break up fat, scale and silt, and wash the debris through to the next chamber. Some nozzles are designed to cut through roots.
Jetting can be done from a van-mounted unit or a smaller trailer or portable machine, depending on access. Afterwards the engineer will usually run water through to check it flows freely. If the drain blocks again, or they suspect damage, they may suggest a CCTV survey to look inside.
Local factors
Heavy rain is often when an outside blockage shows itself, because gullies that take rainwater from roofs and paths can't cope. Exeter's flood defences protect more than 3,000 homes and businesses from the River Exe, but they do nothing for a gully or drain that is already part-blocked with silt or leaves.
If the blockage turns out to be in a drain shared with neighbours, or past your boundary, it may be South West Water's to clear. A drainage engineer can usually tell you after lifting the chambers either side.
While you wait
In general: stop using water in the house as far as you can, so the blockage doesn't back up further. Keep children and pets away from an overflowing chamber, and wash your hands after touching anything that has been near waste water. Don't put chemicals down a drain you're about to have jetted, and don't try to lift a heavy or rusted chamber cover on your own.
What happens when you enquire
You fill in the form with your postcode and a few words about the problem. We pass it to one vetted, independent drainage engineer covering your area, who gets in touch as soon as possible to talk it through. They'll give you a price before any work starts, and there's no obligation to go ahead. The quote and any work are between you and the engineer.
Typical costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Drain jetting | £70–£175 |
| Unblocking a gulley drain | £80–£120 |
| Unblocking other outdoor drains | £80–£150 |
| Emergency call-out | £100–£200 |
Indicative UK price ranges published by MyJobQuote (updated November 2026). Your drainage engineer will quote after inspecting.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to unblock a drain in Exeter?
It depends on where the blockage is and how it's cleared. As a guide, MyJobQuote's published UK ranges are £50–£60 to unblock a toilet, £80–£145 for drain rodding and £70–£175 for drain jetting, with emergency call-outs at £100–£200. Your drainage engineer will give you a price after looking at the job.
Is the quote free?
Yes. Sending the form costs nothing, and the quote is free and without obligation. You decide whether to go ahead.
What should I do while I wait?
Stop using water in the house as far as you can so the blockage doesn't back up further, and stop flushing a blocked toilet. Keep children and pets away from any waste water, and wash your hands after touching anything near it. Don't lift a heavy chamber cover on your own.
What if waste water is coming into the house?
Choose the urgent option on the form so the engineer knows it's urgent. Stop using water in the house, keep people and pets away from the area, and turn off electrics near any water if it is safe to do so.
Will my home insurance cover a blocked drain?
Some home insurance policies include accidental damage to drains or home emergency cover, and some don't. Check your policy before work starts. If your insurer wants evidence of damage, a CCTV survey report is usually what they'll ask for.
Will the drain need repairing or just clearing?
Most blockages only need clearing. If a drain keeps blocking, or the engineer suspects a crack, roots or a collapsed section, they may suggest a CCTV survey to find out before any repair is quoted.
What is drain jetting?
In general, it's cleaning a drain with water at high pressure through a hose and nozzle. It scours grease, silt, scale and roots off the pipe walls instead of just pushing through the blockage, which helps stop it coming back.
Outside drain blocked or overflowing? Ask for a drain jetting quote.