Outside Drains and Gullies

Outside drains and gullies can block with leaves, silt, mud, fat, wipes or debris washed into the trap. If water is sitting outside the property or a gully is overflowing, it is best dealt with before smells or wastewater become worse.

I clear the gully and outlet where access allows, then check the flow so you know whether it was a straightforward blockage or a sign of something further along the drain.

How I Approach a Blocked Drain

The first step is to understand the symptoms and find the best access point. I then clear the blockage using suitable drainage equipment, test the flow and explain what I have found. If the drain needs further investigation, I will tell you why.

The aim is not to make the job sound bigger than it is. Some drains simply need clearing properly. Others give warning signs that something in the pipe is catching waste or slowing the flow, and that is when experience matters.

When a CCTV Drain Survey Helps

CCTV is not the main service on every blockage, but it is valuable when a drain in Eltham keeps blocking, smells persist, rats are suspected or there are signs of root ingress, open joints or damaged pipework.

I do not automatically recommend a camera survey for every drain. If the blockage clears cleanly and the pipe runs well afterwards, that may be enough. If the symptoms suggest a hidden fault, a CCTV survey can stop you paying for repeated clearance without understanding the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you help if the manhole is full?

Yes. A full manhole usually means the drain is blocked downstream. I can clear the blockage where access is safe and suitable. If I think further investigation would genuinely help, I will explain why before recommending it.

Is drain cleaning different from unblocking?

Unblocking gets the drain flowing again. Cleaning goes further by removing grease, silt, scale or debris so the pipe has a better chance of staying clear. I would rather give clear advice at the time than leave you guessing whether the same drain is likely to block again.

Do you offer fixed prices?

Yes. Fixed-price wording is a key part of the service so customers know where they stand. I try to keep the advice practical so you understand the likely cause, the sensible next step and whether any extra work is actually needed.

Can you clear blocked baths and showers?

Yes. Hair, soap and scale commonly block bath and shower wastes, and these can usually be cleared with the right equipment. I would rather give clear advice at the time than leave you guessing whether the same drain is likely to block again.

Can you clear outside drains?

Yes. I clear outside drains, gullies and manholes that are blocked with silt, leaves, fat, wipes or general debris. I will always explain what I find in plain English so you know whether it looks like a one-off blockage or something that may return.

Can you clear blocked washing machine waste pipes?

Yes. Washing machine waste pipes can block with soap, lint, grease and scale. A good visit should leave you with both a working drain and a clearer understanding of why the blockage happened.

Do you explain the options before doing extra work?

Yes. If anything beyond normal clearance is needed, I explain what I have found and why further work may or may not be worthwhile. I will always explain what I find in plain English so you know whether it looks like a one-off blockage or something that may return.

Can you clear blocked toilets?

Yes. I clear blocked toilets, soil pipes and related drain blockages where the toilet is backing up or not flushing away properly. I would rather give clear advice at the time than leave you guessing whether the same drain is likely to block again.

Can a blocked drain cause damp or damage?

An overflowing or leaking drain can contribute to damp, smells and damage if left unresolved. The important thing is to clear the blockage properly first, then check whether the drain is running normally afterwards.

Can you clear blocked sinks?

Yes. I clear kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, baths, showers and waste pipes affected by fat, food waste, hair, soap and scale. A good visit should leave you with both a working drain and a clearer understanding of why the blockage happened.

Can tree roots block a drain?

Yes. Roots can enter through cracks or open joints and then catch paper, wipes and debris until the drain blocks. Many drainage problems are straightforward once the right access and equipment are used, but repeated symptoms should not be ignored.

What causes blocked drains?

Common causes include fat, grease, wipes, scale, toilet paper, roots, silt, broken pipework and displaced joints. I would rather give clear advice at the time than leave you guessing whether the same drain is likely to block again.

Can a drain look clear but still have a problem?

Yes. A drain can run after clearance but still have roots, scale, damage or a defect that causes future blockages. I try to keep the advice practical so you understand the likely cause, the sensible next step and whether any extra work is actually needed.