What Causes Blocked Drains?

Blocked drains are a common issue, and they can be caused by a variety of factors—some avoidable, others due to wear and tear over time.

🛑 Common Causes of Drain Blockages:

• Non-flushable items: Sanitary products, baby wipes, nappies, and even toilet fresheners often end up in toilets, causing major blockages down the line.

• Kitchen waste: A build-up of grease, fat, and food particles can harden and stick to the inner walls of pipes, gradually restricting flow.

• Tree roots: Roots can invade pipe joints and cracks, causing displacement, cracking, or even collapse.

• Misuse of rodding tools: Attempting to clear a blockage without proper knowledge can cause lost drain rods or damage to the pipework, especially when rodding against the flow.

📊 What We Found in 2023:

From all the blockages we attended last year, here’s a breakdown of the main causes:

• 60% – Caused by non-flushable items entering the drainage system

• 20% – Caused by a build-up of grease, fat, and cholesterol

• 10% – Caused by lost drain rods stuck due to incorrect rodding techniques

• 10% – Caused by external issues such as tree roots, broken, or collapsed pipes

✅ Tip from the Experts:

Avoid flushing anything other than the 3 Ps: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. And if you're experiencing recurring blockages, it could be a sign of a deeper issue—our CCTV survey packages can help get to the root of the problem.

Look out for these signs of a blocked drain: gurgling noises from sinks and plug-holes, water rising in the toilet after flushing, slow emptying sinks/baths/showers, foul odours from the drains, and overflowing gulley's and manholes.

Why Drainage Work Can Be Difficult to Quote in Advance

Quoting for drainage work isn't always straightforward. That’s because until we’re on site and can see the problem clearly, it's impossible to know how long the job will take, what equipment will be needed, or how complex the issue really is. No two blockages are the same—and it’s well known in the industry that some drains simply perform better than others.

🛠️ Real Example:

In winter 2023, we were called to a property with what appeared to be a simple blocked kitchen sink. But after our investigation, we discovered multiple blocked manholes across the property. To make things trickier, the kitchen gulley was completely covered by decking, leaving us without direct access. What seemed like a quick fix turned into a much more complex job.

✅ How You Can Help (and Save Money):

To keep time on-site—and your costs—down, we recommend:

• Locating and uncovering manholes before we arrive

• Checking garages, sheds, or decking for hidden access points

• Letting us know in advance about known drainage layouts or past issues

Uncovering manholes ahead of time can significantly reduce labour time and cost.

💷 Transparent Pricing

We understand the importance of clear pricing, which is why all of our prices include taxes and call-out fees. There are no hidden extras. To help you estimate costs, we've listed typical pricing ranges in our pricing section above.

If you're a homeowner or landlord, you're responsible for all drains located within your property boundary that are used solely by your property.

However, if the blockage is outside your boundary—for example, in a shared drain or main sewer line—then the issue is usually the responsibility of your local water authority.

💡 Important Note: Responsibility can vary depending on the location of your property. For example, if you're on a private road or track, the drains may still be classed as private and remain your responsibility.

If you're unsure, we can help you identify the problem’s location and advise whether it falls under your responsibility or the water company’s