The 5 best drain cleaning services in Edinburgh won’t make you wait long!
Ever tried to wash a pan only to watch the water rise like it’s plotting revenge? That was me last week in my flat. Armed with a plunger and optimism, I realised I was no match for a stubborn drain.
Clogged drains are a problem everyone faces sooner or later. Calling in the right service can solve it quickly and keep your kitchen from turning into a mini flood zone.
We looked into a number of local specialists to see who really delivers. Here is our list of the best drain cleaning services in Edinburgh. These are teams you can count on to handle even the toughest clogs.
How much do drain cleaning services in Edinburgh cost?
In Edinburgh, drain cleaning costs depend on the type of blockage and location. Simple sink or shower drain jobs usually cost £80 to £150, while larger or more complex drains typically range from £150 to £280.
1. Borderject Drainage Services
Address: 2 Hainburn Park
Phone: 0131 445 5901
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Borderjet Drainage Services in Edinburgh stands out for its precise and equipment-driven approach to drain cleaning.
They use CCTV surveys in every van, which lets them pinpoint blockages, cracks, or root intrusions without unnecessary digging. This saves time and prevents potential damage.
They can tackle everything from small home blockages to larger commercial drain issues. Surface and foul water drains are covered, too, so even the more stubborn or complex drains get attention.
High-pressure jetting is another highlight. It tackles internal and external drains effectively, including stubborn root intrusions. They even use spinning root cutters to remove tree or hedge roots while claiming no damage to property.
This mix of tools and methods seems more advanced than what you find with typical drain cleaning services.
Borderjet also has a 24-hour emergency service with no call-out fee. This can be very helpful if a blockage happens unexpectedly.
It’s worth noting that their equipment might not fix every problem. If pipes are badly damaged or very old, more repairs or even excavation might be necessary.
Professional, friendly, and efficient service
“Excellent service – professional, responsive, friendly and efficient. Highly recommend – Louis was clear, prompt and polite in communication (option to use WhatsApp/ email for info etc.) Great value. Thank you.
Our mum, a nonagenarian, was so pleased that the worry of her blocked drain under her favourite borders was resolved without any fuss. Louis also agreed to come at a time that was best suited – when my sister was there. We are so grateful. Plus I’m told Louis was a very nice guy!
PS we chose Borderjet because of these reviews and will do so in future, if required, because it was all really great.”
– Hugh Porter, Google Review
Responsive, reasonably priced
“Great service. Louis was very responsive and came at short notice when our bathroom sink wasn’t draining. Would highly recommend his services. Reasonably priced and fixed our sink! Will definitely use him again.”
– Benjamin Mitchell, Google Review
2. All About Drains Ltd
Address: 1a E Newington Pl
Phone: 0131 440 3581
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
All about Drains Ltd takes a thorough and methodical approach to drain cleaning, backed by over 15 years of local experience.
CCTV drain surveys aren’t new, but what sets them apart is that they even provide DVDs and detailed PDF reports after inspections. This way, you can actually see what’s going on inside the pipes and get ideas on how to prevent future blockages or damage.
Beyond inspections, their range of techniques is impressive. They offer high-pressure water jetting, electro-mechanical clearing, no-dig re-lining, and full excavations when necessary.
It’s clear they’re prepared for both routine work and more challenging situations.
The service is practical too. They run a 24/7 emergency call-out service and offer pre-planned maintenance, which helps avoid recurring issues.
Plus, being a family-run business, there’s a sense of local knowledge in how they operate.
However, one thing to keep in mind is their service area. Outside their 30-mile radius, options may be limited or involve a surcharge.
Fast, professional, and thorough service
“Required a toilet to be unblocked and the associated piping to be examined. A fantastic professional service. Very quick to response, excellent job, very thorough who went beyond what was required, and very nice personnel. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
– Ewan McGarrie, Google Review
Prompt and efficient
“Phoned at 10am and Charlie was on site by 1pm to clear the blockage. Called 45 minutes before arrival to give me notice to get home and meet him. Blockage cleared within the hour. Excellent service and great value compared to other companies, would definitely use again.”
– David Cameron, Google Review
3. Dial A Rod
Address: 39 Stapeley Ave
Phone: 0131 558 3353
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Dial A Rod brings decades of local experience to drain cleaning in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
What impressed us immediately was that their team of engineers and plumbers each has between 15 and 35 years of industry knowledge. This experience shows how efficiently they handle different types of blockages.
A past customer told us their team cleared a blocked kitchen drain where other companies had failed. Instead of suggesting scaffolding or lifting floorboards, Dial A Rod explored affordable options and solved it with no problem.
It’s the kind of practical, no-nonsense approach that really stands out.
They use modern diagnostic tools like CCTV drain surveys to pinpoint issues without guesswork. High-pressure jetting is part of their toolkit too, helping clear stubborn clogs in both domestic and commercial drains.
The combination of experienced engineers and up-to-date equipment means they can manage everything from minor sink blockages to more complex underground drains.
Pricing is generally transparent, with competitive rates and no call-out charge in many cases.
That said, communication can be mixed. Many clients report fast, clear service, but some mention occasional delays in responsiveness.
Fast, professional, and ethical service
“Fantastic service. Came out twice for us now – first time to clear a blockage and second time to determine that slow-draining pipes weren’t caused by a blockage but an airflow issue and didn’t even charge us for the visit! Fast and professional with excellent business ethics. Can’t recommend highly enough.”
– Judson Cowan, Google Review
Prompt and professional with helpful advice
“Arrived within a couple of hours of my initial call then diagnosed and solved the issue within an hour. Robbie was excellent- really professional and offered some good advice on how to keep our old drainage system running smoothly. Delighted with the service.”
– Steven Hibbert, Google Review
4. 247 Emergency Plumbers Edinburgh
Address: 69 Elm Row
Phone: +44 131 210 0505
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
247 Emergency Plumbers is one of the most highly recommended by locals, mainly because they’ve been sorting out plumbing and drain issues across Edinburgh for over 25 years.
Their engineers rely on everything from plungers and drain snakes to heavy-duty augers that cut through tougher blockages. For trickier issues, they use chemical cleaning agents that dissolve buildup without damaging the pipes.
We like that they also use CCTV inspection cameras to locate hidden problems before starting any major work. It’s the kind of tech that saves a lot of unnecessary digging.
We got a good impression of how they approach jobs. Their team doesn’t just do the bare minimum but also takes the time to explain what needs more specialist attention, which feels thorough and reassuring.
Just keep in mind that their pricing can be a bit higher than some competitors, though the quick response and solid results seem to make up for it.
Professional and kind service
“I am stunned at how professional, kind, supportive and helpful AJ has been. I can safely say we’ve never met anyone like him, he’s one of a kind. Went well above and beyond his call of duty. Would absolutely and undoubtedly recommend to anyone who’s in need of any boiler or plumbing repair both normal and emergency. Absolutely wonderfully professional and on point. These words don’t do him justice, amazing.”
– Rehana, Google Review
Fast, reliable, and highly responsive
“I had a major leak in the ensuite bathroom upstairs, total panic, phoned half a dozen local plumbers, nobody was interested to help, luckily I phoned AG, a visit was arranged in less than one hour, Ameer came with his assistant, the pipe was cut and a joint was placed, problem solved. Afterwards, I experienced a wee problem with my hot water, I phoned Mr
Ameer and he told me he’ll visit in the morning to have a look, he was at the door by 09.00am. What a brilliant service. Mr Ameer of AG deserves to have his phone number in every householders contacts. Thank you Ameer and AG.
M. Demnati”
– Mohamed Demnati, Google Review
5. Drain Doctor
Phone: 0131 341 5967
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Drain Doctor is one of the better-known names in Edinburgh’s drainage industry, and it’s easy to see why.
They run a fully mobile service, with engineers arriving in vans equipped with high-pressure jetting systems and CCTV inspection tools.
This setup lets them handle everything from small kitchen blockages to full-scale drain cleanouts caused by grease buildup, tree roots, or collapsed pipes. It’s efficient, clean, and saves customers from unnecessary guesswork.
We also noticed they take a preventative approach. Their team doesn’t just clear the drains and leave. It’s common for them to carry out camera checks afterwards to make sure the issue won’t resurface.
They also handle pump maintenance, gully cleaning, and rainwater systems to keep everything running smoothly long-term.
The free call-out and clear, upfront pricing make the process feel fair and easy to follow.
That said, because Drain Doctor is part of a larger national network, the experience can feel a bit more structured than what you’d get from a smaller local plumber.
Professional and thorough
“They arrived fast, fixed the problem completely and were very professional in their communication on the phone and in person. Plus they e-mailed a useful report of their findings. Strongly recommended”
– T. Kapourniotis, Google Review
Knowledgeable and efficient service
“Scott came out at short notice to sort a drainage issue. He was knowledgeable and worked quickly to clear the issue which another firm had been unable to resolve previously. Strongly recommend – excellent service!”
– Daisy Johnstone, Google Review