plumbing Problems

Blocked Drain

A blocked drain causes water to back up, bad smells, and potential flooding. Whether it's a blocked sink, shower, or outside drain, quick action prevents worse problems.

⚠️ Urgent - Don't Delay

Diagnosis Solutions Prevention FAQs

Common Causes

Hair and soap scum (bathroom drains)

Grease and food waste (kitchen sinks)

Wet wipes and sanitary products (toilets)

Tree roots growing into pipes (external)

Limescale buildup narrowing pipes

Collapsed or damaged pipe

Foreign objects flushed down

Signs of Drain Problems

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Water draining slowly

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Gurgling sounds when water drains

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Bad smells from drains

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Water backing up in sink/shower/bath

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Multiple fixtures draining slowly (indicates main drain)

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Outside drain overflowing

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Damp patches near drain runs

🚨 What Happens If You Ignore This?

Ignored blockages worsen and can cause flooding, sewage backup, and expensive damage. Outside drain blockages can back up into your home. Act quickly on slow drains.

Identifying Your Blockage

Identify Which Drain

Single fixture (sink only) = localised blockage. Multiple fixtures = main drain issue. Outside drain = likely external blockage.

Listen and Look

Gurgling from other fixtures when one drains indicates shared drainage issue. Check outside drains for standing water.

Check Outside Drains

Lift manhole covers (carefully!) to see if water is backed up. If so, blockage is downstream. If dry, blockage is between house and that point.

⚠️ Safety: Wear gloves. Be careful of confined space gases.

⚠️ Call a Professional If You Notice:

•Plunging and drain cleaner don't work
•Multiple drains are blocked
•Outside drains are backing up
•You suspect tree root intrusion
•There's a bad smell you can't locate
•Sewage is backing up into home
•Blockages recur frequently

Solutions

🔧 DIY Solution

Difficulty: easy

1
Try a plunger first - create a seal and pump vigorously
2
Remove and clean the trap (U-bend) under sinks - have a bucket ready!
3
Pour boiling water to clear grease (kitchen sinks only)
4
Try a drain snake for stubborn blockages (available at hardware stores)
5
Enzyme-based drain cleaners can help maintain clear drains
6
Never mix chemical cleaners - dangerous fumes

👷 Professional Solution

We use CCTV drain cameras to locate blockages precisely, then clear with high-pressure water jetting. For damaged pipes, we can repair or reline without excavation.

Typical Cost:DIY: £5-£30 for plunger/snake. Professional drain clearing: £80-£150. CCTV survey: £150-£250. Drain repair: £200-£1000+

Time to Fix:DIY: 15-30 minutes if successful. Professional: 1-2 hours typical

Call 07459 345456

Preventing Blocked Drains

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Never pour grease down sinks - collect in jar and bin it

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Use drain guards to catch hair in showers

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Don't flush wet wipes - even "flushable" ones cause blockages

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Run hot water after using kitchen sink

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Monthly enzyme cleaner keeps drains clear

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Have outside drains inspected if near trees

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Don't plant trees near drain runs

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our services.

Even "flushable" wet wipes don't break down like toilet paper. They snag on pipe joints and build up, combining with grease to form "fatbergs". Bin all wipes - never flush them.

Recurring blockages suggest: damaged/displaced pipe, tree root intrusion, or accumulated scale. A CCTV survey (£150-£250) identifies the cause and guides permanent solutions.

Occasional use is fine, but they can damage old pipes and aren't effective on serious blockages. Enzyme cleaners are gentler for regular maintenance. Never mix different chemicals.

You're responsible for drains within your property boundary. Shared drains and sewers beyond your boundary are usually Thames Water's responsibility. We can advise on this.

Still have questions? We're here to help.

Still Having Problems?

If you've tried the DIY solutions and still have issues, or if you'd prefer a professional to handle it from the start, we're here to help.

Call 07459 345456 Request Quote

Free quotes • Gas Safe registered • NICEIC approved