Slow or blocked drains cleared same-day across London and the M25: rodding, hand augers and high-pressure jetting, with the cause diagnosed so it doesn't come straight back.
Drain unblocking is the trade discipline of clearing obstructions from waste-water pipes: sinks, baths, toilets, soil stacks, gully traps, and the underground sewer pipes connecting them to the public sewer. It splits into two activities: clearing the obstruction itself (rodding, jetting, manual extraction) and diagnosing the cause so it does not return (CCTV inspection, root assessment, pipe condition survey). The two are usually combined in a single visit so you get both the fix and the explanation.
Five signs mean it is time to call: slow-draining sinks or baths, gurgling sounds from waste pipes, unpleasant smells from drains, water backing up in sinks or toilets, and damp patches near external drain covers. If any of these have been going for more than a couple of days, the blockage will not clear itself. Chemical drain cleaners poured down the pipe rarely shift the underlying problem and can damage older pipework.
Six methods cover almost every blocked-drain call. We match the method to the obstruction, not the other way around.
The traditional approach. Flexible steel rods pushed through the access point until the blockage shifts. Effective for straightforward blockages close to a manhole or rodding eye, and for diagnosing whether the issue is local or further down the line.
Pressurised water (up to 4,000 psi) forces through stubborn grease, fat, scale, and root incursions that rodding cannot shift. Also scours the pipe walls so the blockage takes longer to return. Standard for kitchen waste lines and any drain that has been blocking repeatedly.
A waterproof camera fed through the drain to see exactly what is in there and where. Essential for recurring blockages, suspected root intrusion, suspected pipe collapse, and any pre-purchase property survey work. We supply the recording on request for insurance or sale evidence.
Mechanical cutters fed through the drain to remove tree roots that have grown through pipe joints. Usually combined with CCTV inspection before and after to confirm the cut is complete and the pipe is structurally sound.
If the CCTV survey shows a collapsed section, displaced joint, or root-damaged pipe, we report exactly what we have found and quote the repair separately: pipe relining, excavation and replacement, or patch repair as appropriate. No upselling on guesswork.
For commercial properties and HMO landlords: scheduled jetting visits (typically every 6 or 12 months) to clear pipework before it blocks. Always more convenient than emergency call-outs and avoids tenant complaints.
Four outcomes that separate us from the average drain-clearance search result.
Same-day availability for most blocked-drain calls. We arrive, locate, clear, and verify the flow is back, usually within an hour for accessible blockages. The smell goes with the water.
Anyone can rod a drain until the water moves. We tell you why it blocked, grease, roots, debris, or a pipe defect, so you can stop it happening again. CCTV available on every job that needs it.
Vans carry rods, jetting equipment, and CCTV gear so we can clear, diagnose, and report in a single visit. If pipe repair work is needed it gets quoted on the spot, not booked as a return-visit cliffhanger.
You leave the call with a clear understanding of what caused the blockage and what to change to prevent it: which fats not to pour, which wipes are not really flushable, whether you need a grease trap, and whether scheduled maintenance is worth it for your property type.
The same five-step process every drain call follows, from a slow kitchen sink to a fully backed-up external manhole.
Phone 020 8068 2295, email, or send photos. Tell us what is happening and where: which sink, toilet, or manhole, how long it has been going, what you have already tried.
For straightforward blockages we can often quote on the call. For recurring or unclear problems we attend, run rods or CCTV at the access point, and identify the cause.
Written confirmation covering the clear method (rod, jet, or CCTV combination) plus any pipe repair work the diagnosis has revealed, agreed with you before we start.
Rod, jet, or cut as required. Run water through every fixture connected to the line to confirm full flow restored. CCTV the cleared section if there is any chance of a recurring fault.
Twelve-month guarantee that the same blockage will not return at the same point. If it does, we come back at our cost, subject to the cause being one we cleared, not new debris dropped down the drain.
According to Thames Water, fatbergs and fat-related blockages cost the UK water industry a substantial sum every year, with London accounting for the largest share due to dense restaurant catchments and ageing combined-sewer infrastructure. The 2017 Whitechapel fatberg (250 metres of fat, wipes, and debris) is the famous case, but the underlying problem is on every London street: domestic kitchen waste, “flushable” wipes that are not, and Victorian-era clay pipework with displaced joints.
Every drain we clear is diagnosed before it is cleared, so the cause is identified rather than just the symptom. Every plumber on our team is fully qualified and insured, we are highly rated on Google and Checkatrade, and we provide 12-month recurrence guarantees on every cleared drain.
ARI Maintenance is led by Arianne ‘Ari’ Raofi, founder, who built the company in March 2025 to give London property owners one accountable team for every trade. Ari is on every quote that goes out the door for major drain work (CCTV-led repairs, pipe replacements, commercial scheduled-maintenance contracts) and James and the team handle the day-to-day rodding and jetting calls with diagnostic backup from Ari.
“A blocked drain is rarely just about the bit you can see. The visible symptom is a slow sink; the actual problem is usually a metre of fat in the soil stack, or a root that has been growing through a clay joint for three winters. Our job is to find which one it is and to leave you with a drain that does not block again next month.”
Six patterns cover almost every blockage we attend in London property. Knowing the cause is the first step in stopping the recurrence.
Same-day availability for most blocked-drain calls, with every plumber carrying £5M public liability insurance and full qualifications. If a blockage turns out to involve a wider plumbing or electrical fault, our multi-trade team handles it in the same visit, so you are not left chasing a second contractor.
Finished jobs from the boroughs we cover. Our own photographs, never stock.
Rough plumbing pipework, copper + yellow gas fittings (BEFORE)
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WC, grey concrete-effect tile, recessed shelves
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Bathroom refurbishment: loft bathroom with walk-in shower, polished-concrete-effect large-format tiling, tiled bath panel, wall-hung basin and chrome heated towel rail
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Bedroom, grey carpet, white walls, bay window
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Bedroom, grey carpet, fitted wardrobes
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General repairs: rear garden patio laid in large-format grey concrete paving with a recessed inspection-cover tray, rendered boundary walls and raised planters
View Project DetailsBased on 81 Google reviews
Excellent service from ARI maintenance, arrived on time and fixed the problem very promptly they were amazing to deal with from start to finish As you can imagine the stress I was under after discovering a severe leak in my bathroom but thanks to ARI maintenance they took the stress out of the situation and had it all sorted in no time. Would definitely use them again and recommend to friends and family. They definitely deserve the 5 stars! Thanks again
Read more on GoogleWe hired Ari Maintenance to take care of some plumbing repairs at our house. They were really nice, sensitive to our schedule, and professional from the first quote to the end of the job. The job was done efficiently, and the communication was excellent throughout the entire project. They went the extra mile to provide an exceptional service. Highly recommend.
Read more on Googlethis company is extremely helpful and reliable, always a pleasure to work with especially Archie and Arianne! i highly recommend for all types of works, prices are fair and our landlords are always happy with the quality of their work and customer service!
Read more on GoogleGreat service fast and efficient
Read more on GoogleGreat service
Read more on GoogleA blocked or overflowing toilet cleared fast and cleanly across London and the M25, with the cause checked so it stays fixed.
Blocked ToiletBurst pipe at midnight? Water through the ceiling? One call ends the panic. 24-hour emergency plumbing across London and the M25, typical 1–2 hour response, parts on the van.
Emergency PlumberFrom a dripping tap to a full bathroom re-plumb, ARI handles domestic and commercial plumbing across London and the M25: fully insured plumbers, written quotes before any work, 12-month guarantee.
PlumbingNo pressure, no obligation. A free survey where the job needs one, an itemised written quote before anything starts, and a 12-month workmanship guarantee.
Call Ari on 020 8068 2295·Get a free quote online
London and the M25
Phone: 020 8068 2295
Email: bookings@arimaintenance.co.uk
Hours: Mon to Fri 7am to 6pm · 24 hour emergency line