🌊 Blocked Drain Emergency: Immediate Action Plan

Last updated: February 2025

Toilet's overflowing. Or the shower's backing up into the bath. Or there's sewage bubbling out of the external manhole. You need it fixed NOW.

Here's what to do in the next 10 minutes to prevent disaster, and what happens when you call a drainage engineer.

First 2 Minutes: STOP THE WATER

1. Stop using ALL water immediately:

• Don't flush toilets
• Don't run taps
• Don't use washing machine/dishwasher
• Tell everyone in the house: NO WATER

Why: Every drop you add is going to overflow out of the blockage point. You're making it worse.

2. If sewage is backing up inside:

• Open windows (ventilation + smell)
• Move valuables/furniture away from overflow area
• Put towels down to contain spreading
• Photograph it (insurance evidence)

Next 3 Minutes: Locate The Blockage

Inside drain or outside drain? This matters for who pays:

Inside blockage (your responsibility):

• Single fixture affected (one toilet, one sink)
• Drains work fine elsewhere in house
• External manholes/inspection chambers are NOT overflowing

Outside blockage (might be water company responsibility):

• Multiple fixtures affected (all toilets, all sinks)
• External manhole is overflowing or full to brim
• Neighbors also having issues

Check your external manholes:

1. Find manhole covers in garden/driveway (usually rectangular cast iron covers)
2. Lift lid with screwdriver/tool (they're heavy)
3. Look inside—is it full to brim? Overflowing?
4. If FULL: blockage is downstream (toward sewer)
5. If EMPTY: blockage is upstream (between house and manhole)

DIY Methods (That Actually Work)

For toilet blockages:

• Plunger: Heavy-duty plunger (not sink plunger). 20-30 vigorous plunges. Works on soft blockages (paper, waste).
• Toilet auger: £15-30 from B&Q. Flexible rod you push through U-bend. More effective than plunger for solid blockages.

For sink/bath blockages:

• Plunger: Block overflow hole with cloth, then plunge. Creates proper suction.
• Drain snake: Hand-crank or drill-powered. Breaks up hair/soap clogs.

For external drains:

• Drain rods: £30-60 from Screwfix. Screw together sections, push through blockage. Rotate clockwise ONLY (counterclockwise unscrews them—they get stuck in drain).
• Hose pipe: Blast water through drain (low pressure—don't damage pipes). Sometimes shifts blockages.

Scam Products That Don't Work

❌ Chemical drain unblockers:

• Rarely work on serious blockages
• Damage older pipes (corrode cast iron)
• Create hazard for drainage engineer (caustic chemicals + jetting = dangerous)
• If it doesn't work, now you have toxic water sitting in drain

❌ Bicarb + vinegar: Creates foam. Looks impressive. Does nothing for actual blockages. Save it for science fair.

❌ Boiling water: Fine for minor grease buildup in kitchen sink. Useless for proper blockages. Can crack ceramic toilets if poured incorrectly.

When To Call Drainage Engineer

Call immediately if:

• Sewage backing up into house
• External manhole overflowing
• Multiple drains blocked
• DIY attempts failed after 20 minutes
• Blockage keeps returning (cleared yesterday, blocked again today)
• Smell of sewage outside/in house

What Happens When You Call Us

You call 0333 600 0990. Here's the process:

1. Triage (5 minutes):

• What's blocked? (toilet, sink, external drain)
• Sewage backing up inside?
• Have you tried anything?
• Is external manhole full/overflowing?
• How many people in property? (Prioritizes families, vulnerable people)

2. Engineer dispatch (60-90 minutes):

• Drainage van with jetting equipment mobilized
• Engineer calls when 20 minutes away

3. Assessment (10 minutes on-site):

• Checks manholes to locate blockage
• Assesses severity
• Quotes unblock cost before starting

4. Unblocking (30-90 minutes):

• High-pressure jetting (water blasts through blockage)
• OR rodding if simple blockage
• OR CCTV survey if blockage won't shift (to see why)

5. Testing (10 minutes):

• Flush toilets, run taps
• Check drains flowing properly
• Clean up work area

Total time: 2-3 hours from calling to drains working.

Insurance: Does It Cover Drain Blockages?

Home emergency insurance (if you have it):

• Usually covers emergency drain unblocking
• 24/7 helpline, they send approved contractor
• Excess typically £50-100

Buildings insurance:

• Doesn't cover routine blockages
• Might cover consequential damage (sewage damaged your carpet)

Water company responsibility:

• If blockage is in PUBLIC sewer (beyond your boundary), they fix it free
• Call them first if external manhole overflowing AND neighbors affected
• Your responsibility if within your property boundary

Preventing Future Blockages

Toilets:

• Only flush: pee, poo, paper (3Ps). Nothing else.
• No "flushable" wipes (they don't break down—biggest cause of blockages)
• No sanitary products, no cotton buds, no dental floss

Kitchen sinks:

• No grease/fat down sink (solidifies in pipes)
• Scrape plates before washing
• Use sink strainer to catch food debris

External drains:

• Clear leaves from gullies regularly
• Don't plant trees near drains (root ingress takes years, then blocks completely)
• Get CCTV survey every 10 years if old property (catch problems before crisis)

Action Checklist

1. ☐ Stop using all water immediately
2. ☐ Contain any overflow with towels
3. ☐ Check external manholes (full or empty?)
4. ☐ Try DIY (plunger, rods) for 20 minutes max
5. ☐ Photograph sewage damage (insurance)
6. ☐ Call drainage engineer: 0333 600 0990
7. ☐ Keep everyone away from sewage

Need Emergency Drain Unblocking?

National Drainage Dispatch: 0333 600 0990

60-minute emergency response. High-pressure jetting vans. CCTV survey equipment. Fixed pricing before we start. Sewage cleaned and drains flowing within 2-3 hours.

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