CALL NOW

SIGNS OF A BLOCKED DRAIN

Here's some advice on how to deal with a blocked drain if you need to take some action before we arrive. We've created an acronym to help you remember what to look for:

SOS
(Site,Odour andSound)

Site
Things to check:

Are your toilets, shower, bath or sinks draining slowly or not at all?

If only one area is experiencing issues e.g. your shower, you're probably dealing with a localised issue with the pipe connected directly to it.

If all of your facilities are affected then it is likely that the blockage is in the sewer drain.

Flush the toilet and see if the water rises up into the other facilities such as the shower or bath, this will help indicate the blockage location.

Odour

Blocked water may become septic and will give off a foul odour. This is another indication of that you have a blockage. You can lift your manhole and visually check for a blockage.

Sounds

Can you hear rushing water and gurgling sounds? Partially blocked drains can fill up and the flow over the top of the blockage.

Next Steps

If you have any of the above SOS issues, you may have a blockage that could lead to more serious issues if left.

CALL NOW

01 Location

The first thing to do is to locate the blockage.
The best option is to follow the drains downhill until you come to an empty manhole.
Once located the empty manhole you know the blockage is upstream of you.

02 Responsibility

You now need to determine who's responsible for the blockage.
An easy way to work this out is that if the sewer is on your property, and serving no other properties, then its is your responsibility.
If the sewer is shared, it is the local water and sewage company responsibility.
Regardless of who's responsibility it is, Drainforce can come out confirm the details and clear the blockage for you privately or on behalf of the local Water Board.