How to Clear a Blocked Drain

29 April 2025

Drain cleaning kit with yellow tube and multiple brass fittings displayed on a concrete surface.

There’s nothing more frustrating than a blocked drain. Whether it’s an outside drain wastewater coming back up your pipes, it’s a problem that needs fixing fast before causing further damage.

For many minor blockages, you don’t need to call a plumber. You can do it yourself using drain rods.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to use drain rods to clear a blockage safely and effectively. And if you don’t have the tools to hand? Speedy Hire has drain rods and all the gear you need available to hire.

How to Use Drain Rods to Clear a Blocked Drain: A Step-by-Step Guide

What You’ll Need:

Before you get started, gather the following:

Drain rod set
PPE - Protective gloves (rubber or waterproof), and goggles or face shield
Manhole cover lifting tool (optional but helpful)
Waterproof overalls or old clothing

Safety first

Clearing drains can be messy, and potentially hazardous if you're dealing with sewage. Always wear gloves and eye protection. Avoid breathing in any fumes by wearing a mask, and wash thoroughly after the job’s done.

Step 1: Identify the Blockage Point

Start by locating the inspection chamber or drain access point. Most properties have an outside drain cover. Hire a specialist cover lifting tool or use a screwdriver to open it. What you use will depend on your drain cover and type.

If water is standing in the chamber, the blockage is likely downstream. If it’s empty, the blockage is between the chamber and your home, such as in the actual pipework.

Step 2: Assemble the Drain Rods

Start with one rod and screw on the plunger attachment (ideal for most blockages). Add rods one at a time as you push into the drain. Always twist clockwise to tighten, never anticlockwise, or they may unscrew and get stuck!

Step 3: Break Through the Blockage

Gently push and rotate the rods clockwise as you feed them into the pipe. You may feel resistance when you reach the blockage. Keep pushing and twisting until you feel the blockage move or break up.

Sometimes switching to the worm attachment helps if the plunger isn’t doing the trick, especially for tougher blockages like leaves or wipes.

Step 4: Withdraw and Clean

Once water starts draining away, carefully remove the rods, again twisting clockwise as you go to avoid unscrewing them in the pipe. Rinse the rods thoroughly with clean water.

Step 5: Test the Flow

Pour water down the drain to check that it’s flowing freely. A hosepipe or a large bucket of water helps here. You can also flush a toilet or run a tap to make sure the blockage has cleared.

FAQs

What are drain rods?

Drain rods are long, flexible rods that screw together to help you manually dislodge blockages in pipes and drains. They’re usually made of polypropylene with brass fittings and come in sections you can extend depending on how far you need to reach.

Aftercare & clean-up

Disinfect your tools and wash your hands thoroughly. If you’ve hired the drain rods from Speedy Hire, make sure they’re clean before returning them.

When is it time to call a professional?

If you’ve tried rodding and the blockage won’t shift, or you suspect the issue is deeper within the pipe system (like a collapsed drain), it’s time to bring in a drainage expert.

They will be able to use specialist tools and systems to detect where the blockage is. Most are attached to their van, so use dedicated high-power force to clear blockages. They can also use camera systems to detect issues.

But, hopefully, hiring a drain rod has helped you clear a blockage and saved you some professional fees and a callout charge.