Drain and sewer problems
Blocked toilets, overflowing drains, sewage smells and gurgling wastes — what each one means and who is responsible for fixing it.
Blocked Toilet
CautionThe pan fills and drains slowly, or does not drain at all, and a second flush makes it worse.
Outside Drain Overflowing
High riskWater or sewage is standing in an outside gully or inspection chamber and rising instead of draining away.
Drain Smells Of Sewage
CautionA foul sewage smell around an outside drain, a downstairs room or an appliance, with nothing visibly blocked.
Gurgling Drains
CautionA sink, bath or toilet gurgles when something else drains — air is being dragged through a trap.
Sewage Backing Up Into The Bath Or Shower
EmergencyFoul water is rising into the lowest fitting in the house because the drain below it is completely blocked.
Blocked Outside Gully
CautionThe grated drain outside the kitchen or bathroom wall is full and slow, and water pools around it.
Tree Roots In The Drain
CautionThe same run blocks again every few months, and what comes out is fibrous rather than what was flushed.
Collapsed Drain
High riskThe drain blocks constantly, the ground has sunk above it, and jetting only buys a few weeks.
Soil Pipe Leaking
CautionThe large vertical waste pipe on the wall is wet, stained or dripping when a toilet upstairs is flushed.
Drains Flooding In Heavy Rain
High riskGullies, chambers or the garden flood every time there is a downpour, then clear once the rain stops.