Here we explain and review the best drain rods for clearing blockages in drainage pipes. Let's face it, these are not something any of us ever want to be buying. For many people they are a purchase of last resort.
If you have the annoying water slowly draining from a sink problem, or the horrible stink of sewage or a blocked toilet in their home, then drain rods may be the answer.
It is a good idea to start with a drain unblocker as it might be able to help. In reality though, unless the blockage is close to the surface and relatively loose, then these unblockers simply will not work. Neither will using baking soda, vinegar or any other helpful tips you may find online.
However, these are worth trying first. You buy them in liquid form, put them down where the blockage is suspected to be, leave them for a few hours, and then try running hot water or flushing if it is a loo.
If there is a blockage, that has built up over time sitting somewhere in a pipe, then using drain rods is likely the only way to dislodge that and cure the problem. Now you can of course pay a plumber or a specialist to get them to do this for you, but that is going to cost quite a bit of money. The price will vary on how bad the blockage is and how long it takes them to clear it. Expect to pay around £150-200 though, as their time does not come cheap.
A good set of rods will cost anything between £20-30 and you then also own them if they are ever needed again for your own home or a family member. You will of course have to do the work yourself but they could save you a lot of money.
My Top 5 Picks UK 2024
1. Faithfull DRSET12 10 x Rods
These are the biggest seller online with a £30 price tag. The buyer rating sits around 90% so 90 out of 100 buyers happy with their purchase.
When joined together these can reach up to 9 metres in length and there are 10 rods in total which screw together. Each rod is made from polypropylene and the end fittings are made of brass, so well made.
These then need to be twisted by hand and they are stiff with a little flexibility
These also come with a rubber plunger and a double worm screw, two attachments that help break up and remove the blockage.
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £33.78 - 90% buyer satisfaction based on 3,000+ buyer reviews
2. Silverline 273193 Drain Rod Set
These are a more affordable option for many UK buyers with an average £20-22 price tag. The buyer rating sits around 86% so 86 out of 100 buyers happy with their purchase.
This is a set of 10 x 920mm rods and comes with a 100mm rubber plunger and a 50mm double worm screw.
Each rod is made from polypropylene and the end fittings are made of brass and come in a drawstring storage bag
These then need to be twisted by hand and they are stiff with good flexibility
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £26.83 - 984% buyer satisfaction based on 3,500+ buyer reviews
3. Bailey 5431 Universal Drain Rod Set
These drain rods get the highest ratings and are also one of the more expensive options with an average £30 price tag.
This is a set of 10 x 3ft x 3/4in blue rods and you also get a 4in plunger, a 4in drop scraper and a double worm screw.
They come in a heavy duty waterproof bag which is handy for storing them
Of all the rods on our list, these are probably the highest quality, but also at the expensive range
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £39.05 - 92% buyer satisfaction based on 1,500+ buyer reviews
4. Nirox Plumbers Snake
This is also a very popular choice but with a £8-9 price tag. The buyer rating sits around 78% so 78 out of 100 buyers happy with their purchase.
This is not a set of rods but we wanted to include them on our list because for some people this tool can be really useful
This is a better tool for cleaning drains or pipes in basins, baths and showers for the quick removal of hairs which is the main problem
This uses an extendable wire with a rotary handle which is good at getting at troublesome hair or dirt
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £16.99 - 76% buyer satisfaction based on 2,000+ buyer reviews
5. Rolson 60967 Drain Rod Set
Some buyers like the Rolson brand and these are an affordable option with an average £20 price tag.
The buyer rating sits at 86% so 86 out of 100 buyers happy with their purchase.
This is a 12 piece rod set that comes with 10x 920mm rods, a 100mm rubber plunger and a 50mm double worm screw
These get good enough buyer ratings and are one of the more affordable sets of rods.
Pros
Cons
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £23.05 - 82% buyer satisfaction based on 800+ buyer reviews
Drain Rod Buying Guide
As we mentioned at the beginning, drain rods are something you will probably buy as a last resort to deal with problems that will just not go away. Most of these drain rod sets compromise of a set of rods that screw together and you can then push into the pipe to help clear away or break up any blockage.
You typically also get a couple of attachments, usually a plunger and/or a double worm screw. Each rod has a length of just under a metre, and as you screw them together, clockwise, they form a longer rod. You keep adding rods until you hit the blockage, and then attempt to break it up or push it through the pipe.
The rods therefore need to be sturdy and strong. Many buyers complain that this type of rod is very inflexible. The reality is they have to have a little flex but not too much otherwise they would not work. That is why drain rods are not that useful if you encounter a bend. They may go around a gentle bend but not something like a 45 degree angled bend.
Please be aware of this and don't buy rods if you suspect the blockage is at a sharp bend.
We also think it is important to point out that these may not work for you. The reason we say that is that you will have no idea where the blockage actually is. You are really working in the dark. Essentially all you are doing is pushing in a set of rods and hoping that they find the blockage.
If you do, then they can certainly break it down and get rid of it. However if the blockage is at a bend, then most likely the rods will not be able to get round that and your journey is at and end. Sometimes in really long pipes the rods are just not long enough and we have read of people having to buy two sets to get the right length.
Because you don't have special cameras. like the professionals, the rods can be a bit of a hit or a miss solution.
Drainage Experts
There are a number of drain unblocking companies in the United Kingdom and a quick search online will bring you to one in your area. They do have all the expensive equipment required to locate a blockage and then to clear it.
The better companies will use cameras to find the blockage and an array of rods and washing equipment to deal with the problem. That means you don't have to worry about doing any work. The clear downside will be the bill that you receive at the end of the job. It can get very expensive. Many of these companies have a minimum fee which you will have to pay to get them to come out.
In addition to that, there will also be a time and labour charge and that can get expensive.
General Drainage Advice
As a general rule of thumb, you are responsible for any drains inside the boundary of your property, and the water company or sewerage company is responsible for some lateral drains and all sewers. Here is the key differences in these:
- Drain - this is a pipe that drains water and waste from a building
- Lateral Drain - this is a a pipe that takes waste water away from your property to a sewer. It may be located under your property or usually outside your property
- Sewer - collects the waste water from a number of buildings. In some cases your property may also be connected to a septic tank, a treatment plant or a cesspool
Resources used to help write this article
Connecting your home to the right drains - Myplumber.co.uk
Who is responsible for repairing drains and sewers - Citizens Advice
UK Water Regulator - Ofwat
Water Company Supplies UK - Consumer Council for Water
