THE lettter about the cost of a clearing a blocked drain (August 18) reminded me of my experience. when the soil pipe from the toilet became blocked. After brief success with rods I found it blocked again.

I asked my wife to phone someone in Yellow Pages and get them to clear it.

He came out about 2pm and spent about two hours with rods, chemicals etc. Labour cost £89 per half hour, plus extra for chemicals. The bill totalled £721. My wife nearly collapsed.

The cause of the blockage was a root ball which had formed in the drain from a climbing wall plant about 10ft along from the toilet drain. He managed to clear it.

When I came home I checked my house insurance and did not think we were covered for it.

However, I rang my insurer to make sure and they said I was covered. They sent me a cheque for £721 and sent a team with a drain camera. They dug up the drain, repaired it and it did not cost me a penny.

Needless to say, I ripped the offending plant out of the ground and off the wall.

It often pays to check your insurance.

D HILL, Alresford.