A blocked bath or shower drain creates standing water that makes the fixture unusable and can lead to water damage if left unresolved. Bath and shower blockages are predominantly caused by hair combining with soap scum to form a dense plug in the trap or waste pipe. Shower trays with shallow traps are particularly susceptible because the smaller diameter pipe clogs more easily. Our engineers use flexible drain snakes that navigate the tight bends in bath waste pipes, along with micro-jetting nozzles designed for smaller pipe diameters found in bathroom waste systems. For shower trays set into the floor, we have specialist low-profile access tools that reach the trap without requiring tiles to be lifted. We always inspect the waste pipe beyond the immediate trap to ensure there are no secondary obstructions or pipe damage contributing to slow drainage. The visit typically takes between 30 minutes and one hour, and we take care to protect bathroom surfaces throughout.
We remove the drain cover or waste fitting to access the trap, checking for visible hair and debris that can be removed immediately.
A flexible drain snake is fed through the waste pipe to break up and extract the blockage. For stubborn clogs, a rotating cutting head removes compacted hair and soap deposits.
We flush the cleared pipe with water and, where necessary, use a micro-jetting nozzle to remove residual buildup from the pipe walls, restoring full bore drainage.
We fill the bath or run the shower to full capacity and confirm the water drains at the expected rate with no residual gurgling or slow flow.
Bath and shower drain unblocking in the Manchester area typically costs between £80 and £140. Shower trays with restricted access or blockages located further downstream may require additional work and cost slightly more. We always confirm the price before starting. No call-out fee applies.
Fitting a simple hair catcher over the plughole is the single most effective prevention measure. These inexpensive mesh or silicone guards catch hair before it enters the waste pipe. Cleaning the guard after each use and flushing the drain with hot water weekly keeps the pipe clear.
Usually, yes. Slow drainage almost always indicates a partial blockage forming in the trap or waste pipe. Occasionally the issue can be a venting problem — if air cannot enter the pipe behind the draining water, it creates a vacuum that slows flow. Our engineers check for both causes.
If the bath shares a waste pipe with other fixtures — common in many Manchester properties — a blockage in the shared section can affect the bath, basin, and sometimes the toilet. If multiple fixtures are draining slowly, the obstruction is likely in the underground drainage rather than an individual waste pipe.