The plumber's first step is to find the blockage. There's no point inserting a drain snake blindly if the obstruction is two floors down. For this, we use an inspection camera, a thin camera on a flexible cable that travels through the pipe and shows the exact location and nature of the blockage on screen. Hair, grease, plant roots, foreign objects, fragments of old building materials. For superficial blockages in sinks or basins, a cheap manual drain snake and half an hour of patience are usually sufficient. If the water starts to move, keep going. If after 30-45 minutes it's still blocked, call us. Insisting only makes it worse by pushing the blockage deeper. Call us, message us on WhatsApp, or request your quote online — we'll reply in under 10 minutes during business hours.

The most complex case is a blockage in a downpipe. The downpipe is the vertical pipe that collects wastewater from several floors in a building. When it gets blocked, it usually affects multiple neighbours at once. This is where a high-pressure water jetting machine comes in, capable of delivering 150 bar of pressure to clear obstructions. It's the most effective equipment but also the most delicate. If the pipe has cracks or weak joints, the pressure can worsen the situation. For toilets that get blocked, a good quality plunger only works if the blockage is superficial. When the clog is deeper, in the toilet's internal trap or the first bend of the downpipe, a professional drain snake or a small rotary machine is needed. It's worth knowing this, as many people end up removing the entire toilet thinking it's the only solution. It's actually a last resort. For downpipes and multiple blockages (more than one bathroom affected, water backing up in one when you use another), always call a plumber. This is a common installation problem that requires professional tools and often coordination with neighbours.

The most common blockage is in the sink or basin trap. Solidified grease and soap form a soft plug that can be removed with a manual snake or mild chemical cleaner if the material is PVC. Caustic soda should not be used on old lead or copper pipes, as it corrodes the metal and can cause worse problems. For toilets, a good quality plunger is worth having at home. It's the first line of defence. If it doesn't clear the blockage after five to ten plunges, call a plumber. Forcing it further can break the wax seal of the toilet, creating an additional problem. Only when the material allows and the situation requires it. We always prefer mechanical methods (snake, machine) as they don't damage pipes or joints.

The price for a flat move in Sarrià typically ranges from €155 to €1500. The final amount depends on the property's condition, materials, and labour time. We always provide a fixed quote before starting. Yes, 30-day guarantee. If the blockage reappears in the same spot within that period, we'll return at no extra cost. This doesn't cover new blockages in different locations. Before starting any work, the technician will assess the issue and provide a written fixed quote. The price includes call-out, labour, and necessary materials; no additional charges will be made without your prior authorisation.