Can Blocked Drains Cause Subsidence?

You close your door but instead of the familiar click, you hear a dull thud behind you. Now if your door has always closed without a problem, this sound can be very concerning. It may mean a few things, but it could indicate your door or your home’s foundation has been damaged through subsidence.

When talking about subsidence, homeowners often think about major shifts, such as trees growing too close to their homes or major construction works in the area. But one cause that’s often overlooked and rarely asked is ‘can blocked drains cause subsidence’?

In this article, we’ll discuss what subsidence is, why you should be alert for it, and answer ‘can blocked drains cause subsidence?’.

What Is Subsidence and Why Is It a Problem?

If you’ve never heard of it, subsidence is what happens when the ground beneath your property sinks or moves downward. Think of it like a chair leg sinking into soft sand, except it’s happening to part of your house into the ground.

When this sinking occurs, it doesn’t just affect your doors. As the ground shifts, it can cause:

• Cracks in walls
• Doors and windows that no longer open and close smoothly
• Rippling wallpaper even when there’s no damp
• Floors become sloping or uneven

Not only will subsidence affect the structural integrity and safety of your property, it can also cost you financially through emergency repairs and a reduction in property value.

Can Blocked Drains Cause Subsidence?

To answer the important question ‘can blocked drains cause subsidence’?

Yes, it’s entirely possible. When working properly, drains send water flowing safely away from your home. When blocked by grime, dirt, leaves or other rubbish, the water becomes stuck and looks for somewhere else to go, usually ending up in the soil around it.

The stuck water then seeps into the surrounding soil, causing:

• Soil particles to wash away, creating empty spaces under your foundation
• Ground to become soft and unable to support your home’s weight
• Clay soils to swell unevenly, making your foundation shift
• Unstable ground conditions that get worse over time

The first symptom you might notice is a slow-draining sink or the occasional drain gurgle. You’ll be tempted to ignore it, but when left untreated or unchecked it can escalate into serious structural problems.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Now, for the good news. Drain-related subsidence is preventable. If you engage in professional drain unblocking services early when signs of blocked drains or water logging become obvious, the blockages can be cleared before lasting and pricey issues are created.

Here are some signs to watch for when deciding to get professional help:

• Slow-draining sinks or toilets
• Bad smells coming from drains
• Gurgling noises in pipes
• Wet patches appearing in your garden
• Sunken or cracked paving

Once you notice any of these signs, especially alongside doors or windows that suddenly won’t close properly, don’t wait. Reach out to a professional team and get it checked. Modern drainage specialists like our team at Watermains & Drains can use portable camera equipment to survey and identify problems before they cause serious damage to your property.

Remember, while there are many causes of subsidence, drainage problems are one of the most preventable. Regular maintenance and quick action can save you from this expensive and disruptive issue. Is your home showing signs of subsidence? Contact our expert team from Watermains & Drains for help today.

Unblocking a Drain: Can You Use a Pressure Washer?

Have you ever stood in your garden holding one in your hand and asked yourself, can I use a pressure washer to unblock a drain? It’s tempting, after all, if it can strip years of stains and grime from your driveway, what’s a few leaves in a blocked drain, right?

Theoretically yes, it can work but you might also end up damaging and destroying your pipes. While they look similar, the tools professionals like Watermains & Drains use to unblock drains are not standard pressure washers, they are specialised equipment for a process called water jetting.

So, before you pull the trigger to unblock a drain with a pressure washer and potentially damage your pipes, read to the end of this article and understand why using a pressure washer to unblock drains isn’t necessarily the best solution.

Can You Unblock Drains with a Pressure Washer?

Yes, in most cases you can unblock drains with a pressure washer. While it seems logical, the problem with that is the amount of pressure your driveway can withstand is much more than what your drainage system was built to handle.

Domestic drainage pipes weren’t designed to withstand the concentrated force of a standard pressure washer. That’s why professional water jetting equipment were specifically engineered with specialised nozzles and controlled pressure settings to safely and effectively clean drains.

If you use a standard pressure washer on your clogged drains or pipes, you risk damaging pipe joints, creating cracks in older pipework, or even causing complete pipe collapse in severe cases. That pressure from the concentrated blast of water has to go somewhere – and without a way forward through the blockage, it might go through weak points in your drainage system instead.

How to Unclog a Drain with a Pressure Washer

If you’re still considering using a pressure washer despite the risks, here’s how to unblock a drain with a pressure washer.

Preparation and Assessment

First, identify your drain’s access point and condition. Your drainage system will probably have multiple bends, joints, and be made of varying materials. Start by checking if your drain has any visible cracks or signs of wear, each one of these points can potentially fail during your wash.

The Process and Risks

Once you’ve gathered enough information, get your pressure washer. Without professional drain camera equipment, you’re working blind. You won’t know exactly:

• What’s causing the blockage
• Where exactly the blockage is located
• The condition of your pipes beyond what you can see
• Whether you’re making the situation worse

So here’s what you can do to minimise the risk and potential damage to your home.

• Start with the lowest pressure setting possible
• Keep the nozzle inside the drain opening
• Use pulsing bursts rather than continuous pressure
• Stop immediately if you notice water backing up or emerging from unexpected places
• Have someone watch other drain outlets around your property for unexpected water flow

Finally, in your attempt to unblock a drain with a pressure washer, if you encounter any resistance or unusual reactions, stop immediately and look for signs of damage around drain covers then inspect for water emerging from unexpected places.

While DIY solutions can be tempting, professional drain unblocking in Manchester services exist for good reason. These experts use specialised equipment and cameras that operate at carefully controlled pressures, combined with specially designed nozzles that can navigate pipe bends and tackle blockages effectively without risking damage and expensive repairs to your drainage system in the future.

For safe, effective, and professional drain unblocking services, contact Watermains & Drains, our drainage specialists can tackle your blockage without putting your pipes at risk.

Can Blocked Drains Cause Damp?

Have you noticed mysterious damp patches appearing on the walls in your property? Or maybe you’ve been smelling something musty that just won’t go away no matter how much you ventilate your living spaces? You’ve looked around your property, inspecting everywhere but found nothing.

At this point, most homeowners might be quick to blame condensation, because there’s a misconception that blocked drains will only cause backflow of water. However, the real culprit could actually be lurking beneath their feet as blocked drains. In this article we’ll look at how to know if you have rising damp or if your problems are being caused by blocked drains.

Can a Blocked Drain Cause Damp?

Yes, blocked drains can cause damp, and it’s more common than you might think. Now the problem with the question ‘can a blocked drain cause damp’ is that the answer doesn’t help homeowners understand the real cause of damp. Blocked drains don’t directly cause damp. The reason your property develops damp is what happens to water that is logged in your pipes.

When the drains are blocked, everything starts backing up. That blockage, whether it’s from years of waste and debris or sudden obstruction, forces water in your pipes to find alternative routes. Unfortunately, these alternative paths often lead straight into your property’s foundations or walls. Drain unblocking is essential to prevent this issue from escalating.

What started as a simple blocked drain, will escalate and evolve into a serious damp problem. As the volume of trapped water continues to grow, it seeps into the surrounding soil and gradually saturates the ground around your property. Our team from Watermains & Drains have seen moisture build up cause devastating effects from water penetrating through the smallest cracks and it always starts with damp patches.

Can Blocked Drains Cause Rising Damp?

Since we’ve answered the question ‘can blocked drains cause damp’, let’s look at differentiating rising damp from drain-related damp. Rising damp occurs when groundwater rises through your walls thanks to capillary action. Damp caused by blocked pipes, however, makes existing damp problems worse or creates conditions that look similar to rising damp symptoms by leaking water from pipes into the ground around your property.

Here’s what happens when your drains are blocked:

• The surrounding soil becomes saturated with excess water
• This creates constant moisture around your property’s foundations
• Water can find its way through tiny cracks and weaknesses
• Moisture can travel up your walls, appearing similar to rising damp
• The problem often gets worse during heavy rainfall

So, can blocked drains cause rising damp? No, but they can create signs that present similar to rising damp. That’s why correctly identifying the cause is so important. You could potentially spend thousands on rising damp treatments and not only see no improvement; you might even notice an increase in damage to your property because the real issue hasn’t been cleared.

That’s why it’s crucial to properly identify the source of your problems before attempting any solutions. While the best option is always to get a professional opinion, here are some warning signs to help you decide when to call in for help:

• Damp patches appearing on ground floor walls
• Musty odours, especially after rainfall
• Water pooling around external walls
• Slow-draining sinks or toilets
• Gurgling sounds in your pipes
• Green patches in your garden where grass grows unusually well

Once you notice these warning signs popping up around your home, it’s probably a good idea to call a professional. Remember, getting the problem fixed when damage is still minor could potentially save you thousands in repair costs in the future.

Concerned about damp in your property? Seeing signs and wondering can blocked drains cause damp? Reach out to our professional team for a free inspection. If you need drain unblocking in Manchester, we provide expert services to check and clear your drains efficiently. Get your drains professionally checked and take the first step to solving the problem.

What to Do if Your Rainwater Drain Is Blocked with Mud

Does your garden go from beautifully manicured to murky nightmare whenever it starts raining? If it does, the culprit most likely lies beneath that murky water – a rainwater drain blocked with mud.

While a rainwater drain blocked with mud might seem like a minor nuisance on dry days, it can quickly spiral into a serious problem during wet weather. Within hours, you’ll go from a simple puddle into flooding, threatening your property with costly water damage. To avoid that, whether it’s your outside drain blocked with mud or bathroom basin, understanding how to effectively clear mud blockages is essential for maintaining your drainage system.

What Will Dissolve Mud in a Drain?

When you’re faced with a blocked drain in your basin, your first reaction might be to use a chemical that clears away clogs inside.

The problem with that is when your rainwater drain is blocked, it’s almost always mud and dirt, and while mud is technically organic, most chemicals are ineffective against it. Unlike hair or grease that you find in basins and that can be broken down chemically, mud is a complex mixture of minerals, clay, and organic matter that chemical cleaners simply can’t dissolve.

Common drain cleaners work through chemical reactions that break down specific substances, like acids dissolving hair proteins or bases turning fats into soap. But mud doesn’t react this way. Clay particles stick together and minerals won’t dissolve, if anything, the mixture only becomes more compact when liquid is added.

Think of trying to dissolve a handful of garden soil in water. It might spread out, but it won’t disappear. Which leaves the only reliable solution for mud blockages: physical removal.

How Do You Unblock an Outside Drain Full of Mud?

When you have a rainwater drain blocked with mud, a physical removal is often your only option.

A pressure washer delivers a powerful focused stream of water that can effectively break through even heavily compacted mud clearing the block almost immediately. The high-pressure jet penetrates deep into the blockage, forcing the mud to break apart and wash away.

If you don’t have a pressure washer, a garden hose with a jet nozzle attachment, while less powerful, can still be effective for newer or looser blockages. It might just need a little more time.

When all else fails, a manual rod with a plunger attachment combines mechanical force with suction. The plunging action creates alternating pressure and vacuum effects that can dislodge stubborn mud blockages, while the rod lets you reach deep into the drain. If none of those work, it could be time to get professional help. A trained professional team like Watermains & Drain UK may have equipment you wouldn’t commonly have to completely clear the drain.

Professional Drain Unblocking Services

When you run out of DIY how to clear a drain blocked with mud methods, and your flood problem doesn’t resolve, it’s probably time to get professional help.

Although minor mud blockages can be cleared easily enough with proper tools and techniques, severe blockages require professional intervention. Professional teams like Watermains & Drain UK have specialised equipment that can survey and effectively remove compacted mud and debris you might not even know about. For reliable Drain Unblocking in Manchester, our experts are equipped to handle even the toughest blockages quickly and efficiently.

Using industrial-grade equipment, we can blast through even the most stubborn mud blockages and identify any underlying issues like pipe damage or tree root intrusion that may have contributed to the blockage with survey equipment.

Once your drains are cleared, our team can recommend preventive measures to avoid future blockages. Don’t let your beautiful garden turn into a muddy pool. Get in touch with our team now and schedule a free consult with us.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Blocked Drain?

It’s been raining on and off. You may notice that even though the rain isn’t that heavy, it’s taking longer for the water to drain from your driveway/home.

Still, because the rain doesn’t stay too long and the water doesn’t rise too high, you ignore it. One day, a storm hits, and it rains and pours and the water that used to dissipate is now rising, and rising, and rising.

A simple blocked drain can quickly escalate from a minor nuisance to a major household emergency. Understanding the early warning signs of blocked drains can save you significant hassle and expense down the line. Here’s how to spot signs of a blocked drain outside and get help before it grows into a serious problem.

Indoor Warning Signs

The first indicators or signs of blocked drains often appear inside your home. Watch for:

Unpleasant odours: If you notice persistent foul smells emanating from your drains, particularly a rotten egg odour, this could indicate a blockage. According to plumbing professionals, this is among the most commonly reported early warning signs.

Slow drainage: When sinks, baths, or toilets begin draining more slowly than usual, it’s often the first red flag. Water pooling around plug holes or taking longer than 30 seconds to drain completely warrants investigation.

Gurgling sounds: Listen for unusual gurgling noises from your plumbing, particularly after using appliances or flushing the toilet. These sounds typically indicate trapped air in the system due to partial blockages.

Outdoor Warning Signs

It’s fairly simple to tell if a drain is blocked inside your home but how to tell if an outside drain is blocked? Here are some things to look for:

Standing water: Check your outdoor drain covers regularly. According to Water UK’s annual drainage report, more than half of outdoor drain blockages show signs of surface water pooling before developing into more serious issues.

Waterlogged garden: Soggy patches in your garden, particularly near drain lines, could indicate an underground drainage problem. The Royal Horticultural Society notes that persistent waterlogging can also harm your garden plants.

Visibly overflowing drains: During rainfall, watch for water overflowing from drain covers. This is a clear sign your drainage system isn’t coping with the water volume.

When to Call Professionals

Deciding when to call for professional help can vary depending on the situation. While minor clogs might be manageable with household remedies, certain situations demand immediate professional attention, especially when it’s approaching autumn.

You should contact a registered plumber when you notice multiple drains backing up simultaneously, hear consistent gurgling sounds from pipes even after attempting basic clearing methods, or observe sewage odours permeating your home.

When water starts backing up through your shower or tub when using the washing machine, or if your toilet bubbles and gurgles when you run the sink, you probably have some serious blockage that requires expert intervention. For those in need of Drain Unblocking in Manchester, our local team is ready to provide quick and efficient solutions.

Take control of your drainage issues before they take control of your property. Contact our expert team from Watermains & Drains whether you’re having minor blockages or major drainage concerns, we deliver swift, professional solutions that protect your property and your peace of mind. Remember, the cost of early professional intervention is typically far less than dealing with the aftermath of a major backup or flood.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Blocked Drains?

Is your basin taking longer to empty than usual? Perhaps you’ve noticed unpleasant odours wafting up from your drains? These are often the first signs that something’s not quite right with your drainage system.

From hair-clogged bathroom drains to grease-laden kitchen pipes, blocked drains are one of the most common household problems faced by UK homeowners. If left unchecked, these blockages can escalate from minor inconveniences into major nightmares, leading to serious damage and lingering odours in your property.

What Causes Blocked Drains (Inside a House)?

The average person sheds between 50-100 hairs per day.

When you consider that an average household might have multiple people (and pets!) sharing bathrooms, the amount of hair going down your drains quickly adds up. Each strand acts like a tiny net, catching everything from soap residue to shampoo build-up. Over time, these strands weave together with beauty products and other debris, creating a stubborn mass that grows larger with every shower or bath.

What starts as a few trapped hairs can quickly develop into a solid blockage that significantly reduces water flow and creates telltale drainage problems like bad odours and backflow that you might be experiencing now.

The second most common cause of blocked drains indoors are kitchen basins.

Kitchen drain blockages typically stem from what we casually wash down our basins. Every time you rinse that frying pan or dispose of leftover cooking oil down the drain, you’re contributing to a growing blockage.

A splash of oil looks harmless disappearing down your basin, but once it’s out of sight, it undergoes a diabolical transformation in your pipes. As the oil cools and solidifies, it clings onto your pipe walls like a stubborn layer of fat – each new addition making that layer thicker until your water barely has space to flow through.

Worse still, it’s not just oils causing havoc in your kitchen drains. Coffee grounds, food scraps, debris, all these solids combined form a solid mass that can completely block your drainage system.

What Causes Blocked Drains (Outside)

Now that you know what causes blocked drains within your home, let’s look at what causes blocked drains outside.

Besides leaves, mud and rubbish, what are the common causes of blocked drains outside your home?

One place you might never suspect is your garden tree. Of course, it makes your property look beautiful but beneath the surface, these natural wonders can spell disaster for your drainage system.

Tree roots can sense moisture up to 20 metres away. Underground, these roots are drawn to the tiny amounts of water vapour escaping from the smallest cracks in your pipes and slowly inch their way towards it. Once they find a way in, they expand, multiply, and create a complex root network inside your pipes creating an impenetrable block that catches everything.

Any building work around your property can also lead to unexpected drainage problems. Even the most careful builders can’t completely prevent small amounts of sand, cement, and other construction materials from washing into nearby drains during wet weather.

Drain unblocking is essential to tackle stubborn blockages and prevent further damage to your property, ensuring your drainage system functions smoothly.

Organic matter might eventually break down but building materials become concrete-like blockages that ordinary drain cleaners won’t affect. All it takes is one rainy day during construction to create months of drainage problems if any building materials find their way into your system.

Drain Unblocking by Watermains & Drains UK

While a plunger or basic drain unblocker might tackle minor blockages, some drainage problems need more than just DIY solutions.

That’s where modern professional drainage solutions come into play. High-pressure water jetting and survey cameras to spot causes of blocked drains are just some of the solutions our professional team at Watermains & Drains UK employ to clear out stubborn blocks. Against challenging blocks, mechanical cleaning equipment might be your only option to break through years of built-up debris that regular cleaners just can’t touch.

Remember, what might seem like a minor drainage issue today can quickly escalate into a major headache tomorrow. If you’re facing persistent problems or want to ensure your drains stay in top condition, getting them checked by drainage professionals could save you both stress and money in the long run.

Don’t let drainage problems escalate into property nightmares. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn blockage or simply want to prevent potential problems, our professional team is just a call away. For fast, effective solutions to all your drainage needs reach out to Watermains & Drains UK.

Blocked Drains and Sewers: Who Is Responsible?

Whether it’s a commercial property or your home, a blocked drain can soon become more than a smelly inconvenience. It pays to know who’s responsible for blocked drains. If you’ve noticed a foul smell, water laying around, or toilets and showers that are backing-up and not letting water flow away freely, you need to know who to contact and who’s responsible for resolving the blockage and paying for that service.

To understand who’s responsible for blocked drains, it’s important to have a basic knowledge of the layout of your plumbing. This includes the drains and pipes on your own commercial or domestic property (which is the property owner’s responsibility), and where that wastewater goes once it leaves your property. For blocked drains outside who is responsible? That will generally be the water authority in your area, though there are exceptions to that.

Who Is Responsible for Blocked Drains at Your Property?

Owning your own home or commercial property has several advantages, particularly in the current economic climate. Along with those advantages comes certain responsibilities, including resolving blocked drains at your property. According to Citizen’s Advice UK,

You are responsible for maintaining or repairing any drains inside the boundaries of your property – these are your private drains.

If you have a blocked drain, you can try to clear the blockage yourself or you can contact an expert in water and drainage to investigate the blockage and have them clear it for you. It’s especially important to have trusted professionals who will respond in an emergency.

According to Citizen’s Advice UK, there may be circumstances where:

your local authority environmental health department can order you to carry out improvement work or replace a private drain. They might do this if, for example, they think your drain is too small for your property or if it’s causing a blockage.

If this occurs, again you can contact water industry approved contractors (WIAPS), to ensure that the work is conducted to the standards required by the Environmental Health Department. In this case, the owner of the property is who’s responsible for blocked drains and for paying for any work done that is directed by their local authority.

Who Is Responsible for Blocked Sewer Drains?

Once your drainage system leaves your property, the responsibility shifts. The wastewater goes from your private drain to a ‘lateral drain’ which takes the wastewater to a sewer. As explained by Citizen’s Advice UK:

A lateral drain is a length of pipe which carries wastewater away from your property to a sewer. It’s usually located outside your property boundary, often under a public pavement or road. A lateral drain might run under your property if you share a sewer with your neighbour.

If the blockage occurs in the lateral drain or sewer system, in terms of who’s responsible for blocked drains, it’s unlikely that it will be the property owner. Unless your property has their wastewater running into a cesspool or septic tank, the more likely outcome is that the sewer is owned (and therefore maintained) by the water company in your area and they will action and bear the cost for blocked drains outside. Who is responsible may also depend on whether the blockage occurs in a shared sewer line.

Who Is Responsible for a Shared Sewer Line?

In properties with a private sewer that contain a number of different drains, such as a block of flats or a caravan park, the responsibility for blocked drains remains with the owners of the property. If that is more than one person, the responsibility and cost is shared between the owners.

A shared sewer line that includes lateral drains running to a public sewer, however, will be the responsibility of the water authority who owns the sewer.

If all owners agree, you can apply to have the drains connected to the public sewer and if this is granted after the initial costs of joining to the sewer line, the water authority is who’s responsible for blocked drains outside your property.

According to Citizen’s Advice UK:

You don’t have to maintain or repair lateral drains that you share with your neighbour – your water company is responsible for these.

Choosing a Water Drainage Expert You Can Trust

Contact the experienced and professional team at Watermains and Drains UK today for emergency assistance or guidance on your drainage needs. Providing reliable Drain Unblocking in Manchester, they are certified as water industry approved contractors (WIAPS), so you can rest assured you have industry-vetted professionals on hand when you need them the most.

Can Bleach Clear Blocked Drains?

Bleach, otherwise known as Sodium Hypochlorite, is a household chemical that has a multitude of uses. A quick stop by the Clorox website will give you advice on how to use bleach to do anything from disinfecting a bathtub to getting rid of traces of poison ivy off surfaces, through to cleaning your computer screen. As there are undoubtably a plethora of uses for bleach, you may be wondering does bleach unblock drains?

Will Bleach Dissolve a Clogged Drain?

Bleach is a disinfectant and does a great job of sanitising surfaces, but can bleach unblock a drain? There are different ideas around the usefulness of bleach for unblocking drains. What we know for sure is that it is NOT listed as one of the uses of bleach on the Clorox website. Does bleach unblock drains? Not really. It may be used to keep the sink, shower, or toilet clean and sanitised which may help to prevent clogs and blockages forming, but when it is all said and done, a clogged drain requires more than a disinfectant to dissolve it.

Should You Use Bleach to Unblock a Drain?

It is possible to use bleach to clean and disinfect a drain that’s blocked, but if you are determined to try bleach to unclog the drain, you should keep the following precautions in mind:

1. Use protective gloves and googles to ensure the bleach does not splash on your skin or eyes.
2. Use only a diluted solution of bleach and allow no more than 15 minutes to pass before washing the drain with hot water. This is because bleach has a corrosive action which rather than dissolving a clog in the drain, could corrode the pipe and any adhesives used in the pipes. While bleach may help clear a partly clogged drain that is simply narrowed by an accumulation of fats, it is likely the hot water that you follow the bleach with that has the most effect.

Does bleach unblock drains? While these safety points may help reduce risk in using bleach, it is certainly not one of the best options available, particularly if the drain has an accumulation of debris, be it hair, sanitary products, or build-up of grease.

What Is the Best Way to Clear a Clogged Drain?

Having answered no to the question can bleach unblock a drain, what is the best way to clear a clogged drain? There are several chemical and manual options available to clear a blocked drain. Which is the best option will depend on the nature of the blockage, the location of the blockage, and the size of it. Below are a few popular methods of clearing a blocked drain that do not include bleach.

1. A combination of bicarb soda followed by vinegar is one of the best ways to clear a clogged drain. With these simple products most of us have in our kitchen cupboards, it is possible to clear blockages in many household drains. Pour half a box of bicarb soda down the drain, add a cup of vinegar and you will notice the fizzing begin as the two products combine. This fizzing works to dissolve a build-up of fats and other debris that often accumulates in our household drains.
2. Depending on what has caused the blockage, at times removing the drain cover (in the shower) or the P-Trap (under the sink) and checking for hair or other items and manually removing them may be the best way to clear a clogged drain.
3. Using a plunger to plunge out the toilet or sink area can be effective in unclogging a drain. The seal that forms with the plunger and the mechanical action that follows can dislodge whatever is clogging the drain and allow water to flow freely once more.

If these strategies are not effective in clearing your clogged drain, it may be wisest to call a professional for assistance. A water and drains specialist will have more suitable equipment to properly examine and dislodge a blockage and will be able to diagnose where the blockage is and the tools required to fix it, and offer advice to minimise further blockages.

Finding a Reliable Water and Drains Specialist to Clear Blocked Drains

Contact Watermains and Drains UK today for emergency assistance or general advice on blocked drains at your home or commercial property. You can be assured of competence and professionalism knowing the team at Watermains and Drains UK are WaterSafe accredited and Water Industry Approved Products and Services (WIAPS) accredited.

The beauty of well-functioning pipes and drains in your home or investment property is that you don’t even notice they’re there. When household drains do become blocked, it can cause mild inconvenience through to considerable damage. The good news is that most blockages can be easily resolved by following these tips on the best way to unblock a drain.

Top 10 Tips to Unblock Household Drains

1. Hot water, bicarb soda and vinegar

If you are wondering how to unblock a drain, the first (and often most effective) option is to put a cup of bicarb soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain. This will fizz and start to clean out the drain. Follow this step with pouring boiling water down the drain to wash out any build up.

2. Clear out hair and soap build-up

If water is not flowing away after your shower or in the hand basin, there could be a simple blockage caused by a build-up of hair and soap. In this situation, the best way to unblock a drain is simply lift the drain cover, remove the hair and soap scum, and the blockage may be cleared.

3. Clean the P trap

If food scraps, grease, or other debris have gone down your kitchen sink, these can cause a blockage. What is the best way to unblock a drain when this happens? Carefully loosen the P trap ensuring you have a bucket on hand to catch any water or debris in the pipe. Empty out the accumulated food waste, hair, and grease, and wash the P trap with disinfectant before replacing ensuring there are no leaks.

4. Plunge

If it is your toilet or sink is backing up with water rather than flushing as normal, you can use a plunger to create a seal over the drain which causes a vacuum effect. Then use repetitive action to clear the blockage. A plunger is a great tool to have on hand if you’re wondering how to unblock a drain.

5. Chemical and Caustic Cleaners

For stubborn blockages, you may need to consider a chemical or caustic cleaner. Always use safety gear including gloves and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure adequate ventilation if using chemicals is the best way to unblock a drain in your home.

6. A DIY wire

How to unblock a drain using a DIY wire probing device? Using a bent coat hanger or other wire form can be a great way to feel your way towards the blockage and try to manually clear it. Be careful not to force the wire into the pipe itself, as you don’t want to damage the pipe and cause further issues.

7. Call in the Professionals

Sometimes the best way to unblock a drain is by calling in the professionals. A pro tip for how to unblock a drain is a plumber’s drain snake, which is a long wire device designed for use by a trusted professional to probe deeper into the pipe to clear the blockage.

8. CCTV

What is the best way to unblock a drain? Knowledge is power. A competent professional plumbing team can use CCTV to send a small camera into the drain and pipework to detect exactly where the blockage is and see what’s going on. That information can then inform the best way to unblock a drain.

9. High pressure drains jetting

High pressure drains jetting by a professional to flush out the cause of the blockage.

10. Pipe re-lining

If there’s damage to your pipes due to prolonged blockages, pipe re-lining is a remedial work your professional team may recommend ensuring the safe and effective operation of your household drains.

What Is the Best Way to Unblock a Drain?

As you can see, the best way to unblock a drain depends on what and where the blockage is, and how long it’s been there. The remedy may be as simple as hot water and household cleaners, or more complex requiring the expert advice of professional plumbers. Either way, by following these top tips your household drains can be up and running again in no time, leaving you free to enjoy your home and life.

Need Help Unblocking Your Household Drain?

With many years’ experience and the added confidence of being WaterSafe accredited and Water Industry Approved Products and Services (WIAPS) approved contractors; you can safely trust the professional, competent team at Watermains and Drains UK. Contact Watermains and Drains UK today for peace of mind and help unblocking your household drain.

When was the last time you gave your drains a thought? From Victorian terraces to modern flats, every home in the UK relies on a well-functioning drainage system for everything, including preventing damp, rainwater removal, and even wastewater removal. But the only time you ask yourself how to unblock a drain outside is when it’s the rainy season or it’s getting clogged.

Keeping your property’s drainage system flowing well is important as it not only allows it to function optimally, but it also helps prevent overflows, floods and creates a clean, safe and comfortable living environment for you and your family.

As a responsible homeowner, safeguarding your property’s drainage system is crucial for the wellbeing of both your home and family. But do you know how to unblock your external drain? Are you lacking knowledge and can only wait to be rescued by a trained professional, or are there other steps you can take to remedy the situation on your own?

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the process of identifying, addressing, and preventing outside drain blockages. We’ll walk you through practical steps you can take yourself, as well as when it’s time to call in the experts. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to know how to unblock drains outside, to maintain your home’s drainage system, and safeguard the wellbeing of your family.

What Are the Common Causes of Blocked Outside Drains?

The first step in learning how to unblock outside drain comes from understanding the root cause of drain blockages. Drain blockages can vary from minor issues you can solve on your own like leaves, debris, and grease, to extremely complex issues that require professional intervention such as collapsed and damaged pipes and even environmental disasters like flash floods.

Understanding the root causes of drain blockages will save both your finances and time by helping you determine if the cause is something you can DIY or if you need to call the professionals.

Here are some of the most common culprits of drain blockages.

Leaves and Debris

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons, the orange hue, and the falling leaves are a majestic sight but while beautiful to see, leaves can accumulate in drains and cause blockages. They form a thick, impenetrable mat when wet, preventing water from flowing freely. Left to accumulate, they’ll cause overflow and, before you know it, your garden has turned into a muddy bog.

If you live in more urban areas, this problem is only made worse by plastic bags and food wrappers.

Fat, Oil, and Grease

Poured down sinks, these oily substances solidify in pipes, causing or exacerbating blockages. Although these substances are poured down as liquids, as they cool, they solidify and adhere to pipe walls, gradually narrowing the passage for water.

In colder UK weather, this process can accelerate, leading to more frequent blockages during winter months.

Hair and Soap Scum

Hair and soap scum build up almost insidiously in bathroom drains. By the time you notice them, it’s almost too late and they’ve caused blockages that extend all the way to the outside drains. Hair, when combined with soap residue, can form stubborn clogs that are difficult to dislodge without professional help.

Improper Disposal of Non-Biodegradable Items

Wet wipes, sanitary products, and cotton buds are hygiene items not designed to be flushed down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper, these items don’t degrade and can narrow sewage pipes.

These items can accumulate and form large, solid masses that can obstruct entire sewer systems. Such blockages are not only inconvenient for individual households but can also cause widespread problems in local water infrastructure.

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding

The UK’s often wet weather can overwhelm your drainage systems, causing backups and blockages. During intense rainfall, drains can become inundated with water, leaves, and debris simultaneously, leading to sudden blockages.

Collapsed or Damaged Pipes

Over time, pipes can deteriorate, collapse, or become misaligned, leading to recurring blockages. This is particularly common in older properties or areas with soil subsidence issues.

Mineral Build-up

In areas with hard water, mineral deposits can accumulate inside pipes over time, reducing their diameter and making them more prone to blockages.

Construction Debris

If there’s been recent construction work near your property, materials like concrete, grout, or plaster may have inadvertently entered the drainage system, causing blockages.

Now that you have an understanding of the potential causes for clogged drains and the resulting harm, hopefully you can take preventative measures and identify when issues arise before they escalate into major and costly problems.

Can I Unblock an Outside Drain Myself?

In some cases, yes.

You can easily unblock an outside drain on your own by testing any of the methods above if suitable. However, be clear about your limits and recognise when a problem is too big for you to manage on your own and requires a trained professional.

A simple way to know if you need a trained professional is if you’re dealing with persistent blockages, foul odours, or notice signs of more serious issues like gurgling sounds or water backing up into your home. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to consult trained professionals like Watermains and Drains to help diagnose and resolve complex drainage issues.

How Do You Unclog an Outside Drain?

A blocked outside drain is not quite hell, but it’s very close. The filth, dredge and muck that overflows, the emanating stench from a block drain… Dreadful.

While some situations do require expert intervention, there are several methods you can attempt before calling in the professionals. These approaches aim to teach you how to unblock a drain outside quickly, while saving you time and money.

Hot Water

Start by boiling several litres of water in a large pot or kettle. Then very carefully carry it to the drain opening. Exercise extreme caution to avoid burns. Pour the water directly into the drain hole in a steady, controlled stream.

Using the heat and force of the water, minor blockages caused by grease or soap buildup will be easily dissolved and washed away by this method.

After a few minutes, run cold water from an outdoor tap to check if the blockage has cleared. Repeat the process 2-3 times, if necessary. If there’s no improvement after multiple attempts, move on to another method.

Plunger Technique

Another method you can use if you’re wondering how to unblock a sewage drain is a classic: the plunger. Whenever possible, select a plunger with a flange that folds out from inside the cup. This flange fits well over toilet drains, making it easy to form the necessary suction to clear a clog.

Before plunging, ensure there’s enough water in the drain to cover the plunger’s head. Add some from a bucket or hose if necessary. Position the plunger over the drain opening, ensuring it covers the entire opening to create a tight seal. Push down firmly and then pull up sharply, without breaking the seal. This creates suction that can dislodge blockages.

Plunge vigorously for 30 seconds to a minute, maintaining a good seal throughout. Release the plunger and check if water drains freely. If not, repeat the process. After plunging, flush the drain with water to ensure the blockage has cleared and to wash away any dislodged debris.

Drain Rod Method

The next method in our list of how to unblock a drain outside is to use a set of drain rods you can get from your local hardware store. These typically come in one-metre sections that can be screwed together.

As debris may splash back while you’re unblocking the drain, you should always put on protective gloves and eyewear before starting. Insert the first rod into the drain and push it through until you feel resistance. This is likely the blockage. Once you reach the blockage, rotate the rod while pushing firmly. There are plungers and corkscrew attachments for stubborn blockages, just attach them to the end of your rod. Continue the rotating and pushing motion to break up the blockage. If you feel the blockage clearing, don’t pull out yet, continue pushing the rods through to ensure the entire pipe is clear. Once you’re sure it’s cleared, slowly withdraw the rods, continuing to turn them clockwise.

When you’re done, remove the rods and flush the drain thoroughly with water from a hose or several buckets to clear any remaining debris. If water flows freely, you’ve successfully cleared the blockage. If not, repeat the process or try a different method.

High-Pressure Water Jet

Finally, a high-pressure water jet is a viable option when you’re trying to figure out how to unblock a sewage drain outside, especially for more stubborn drain blockages.

You can rent or purchase a specialised water pressure unit which connects to a standard outdoor tap. Before using the equipment, ensure you have the appropriate protective gear, such as waterproof clothing, gloves, and safety goggles. The process involves carefully inserting the jet nozzle into the drain opening and activating the pressure washer following operating instructions. As the high-pressure water blasts through the pipe, it obliterates and flushes away obstructions. It’s quick and effective, but you should save this technique as a last resort because it can potentially damage older and weaker pipes.

Regardless of which method you choose, remember that safety comes first. Always wear protective gear such as gloves and safety goggles when attempting to unblock drains. If you’re unsure about any of these methods or if the blockage persists, consult a professional drain cleaning service such as Watermains and Drains to find out how we can help. Our team has helped properties in Manchester, Stockport, Warrington and Cheshire quickly and effectively clear their blocked drains.

How to Protect Against Outside Drain Blockages

While it’s handy to know how to unblock a drain outside, taking early measures to prevent blockages from developing is even better. Here are seven tips to help protect your outside drains from blockages:

1. Install Drain Guards

This prevents leaves and larger debris from entering your drains, especially crucial during autumn.

2. Regular Cleaning

Perform routine cleaning of your drains, gutters, and downpipes, especially during autumn when leaf fall is heaviest.

3. Proper Waste Disposal

Educate household members about what should and shouldn’t go down the drains. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items or pouring fat, oil and grease down sinks.

4. Tree Management

For properties with nearby trees, consider regular root treatments or installing root barriers to prevent intrusion into drainage pipes.

5. Rainwater Management

Adequate rainwater management through properly maintained gutters and downpipes can also protect against water damage and prevent blockages.

6. Regular Inspections

Conduct periodic visual inspections of outside drains. If you catch potential issues early, you can manage them before they escalate into major problems.

7. Professional Maintenance

Schedule annual professional drain cleaning and inspection to maintain your system’s optimal condition and identify any underlying issues.

When to Contact a Professional Drain Unblocker

Let’s say you’ve tried every method we’ve shared and more, but still find your pipes blocked – it’s time to get professional intervention. A clear sign you need help is if you have foul odours emanating from drains, or you’re facing simultaneous blockage of multiple drains. Not only that, visible damage to your drainage system, such as cracks, splits, or collapses, always requires expert evaluation and repair. If you’re living in an older property, you might potentially have outdated or deteriorating plumbing systems, requiring a comprehensive assessment and, potentially, extensive work by qualified professionals to ensure optimal functionality and prevent future issues.

When faced with these situations, your best option is to seek professional help from WaterSafe certified companies like Watermains and Drains. We can promptly prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems. Utilising advanced technology like CCTV drain surveys, we accurately diagnose and resolve complex drainage issues.

Maintaining your outside drains is an essential part of home ownership. By understanding the common causes of blockages and equipping yourself with knowledge on how to address minor issues, you can keep your drainage system from disrupting your lives. Remember, while many blockages can be resolved with DIY methods, there’s no substitute for professional expertise when dealing with persistent or complex drainage problems.

Regular maintenance coupled with prompt attention to any signs of trouble will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure your home remains a healthy, comfortable environment. If you’re having drainage issues or notice foul odours, don’t hesitate to give Watermains and Drains a call. Our team of professionals are highly experienced and WaterSafe accredited. Your drains (and your wallet) will thank you in the long run.