Drainage advice

Practical guides from working engineers. What to try, what to avoid, and when to call us in.

blockages

Blocked toilet won't unblock with a plunger — what to try next

Tried the plunger and the toilet still won't flush properly? Here's the next four things to try before calling an engineer.

What is a CCTV drain survey and do I need one to buy a house?

If your homebuyer survey mentions drainage concerns, a CCTV drain survey is almost always worth the £180–£240. Here's what it covers.

CCTV survey report explained (defect codes and gradings)

WRc defect codes, severity grades and what 'CR Grade 3' actually means — translated into plain English.

Cost to unblock an outside drain in the UK (2026)

Standard outside drain unblocks in the UK are £80–£180 + VAT. Here's what affects the price and what to ask before you book.

Gurgling toilet when the shower runs — what it means

If the toilet gurgles when you run the shower, basin or washing machine, your soil vent isn't doing its job. Here's why and what to do.

How to find your drain access cover (and what to do when you do)

Drain covers get buried under decking, lawn or paving all the time. Here's how to find yours when you need it.

Storm drain flooding outside the house: what to do now

Standing water outside the house during heavy rain usually means the storm drain has blocked. Here's what to do first.

Who's responsible for a blocked drain — me or the water company?

If the blockage is in a pipe that only serves your property, it's yours. If it's in a shared sewer, it's almost always the water company's.

Drain jetting vs rodding: which do I need?

Rods are great for solid blockages, jetting wins for fat, scale and roots. Here's a plain-English comparison.

New build drainage issues — what your warranty covers

Drainage faults are common on new builds. Get them logged before your NHBC or Premier Guarantee period ends.

Preventing blocked drains: 8 things that actually help

Forget gimmicky drain treatments — these are the eight habits that genuinely reduce blockages.

Tree roots in drains: signs, repair options and costs

Recurring blockages every spring? It's almost always tree roots. Here's what works long-term — and what doesn't.

Why does my drain smell? Causes and how to fix it

Bad smells from drains usually come down to four things — a dry trap, a blocked vent, a partial blockage, or a damaged pipe. Here's how to tell which.

Bad smell from kitchen sink: traps, fats and venting

Kitchen sink smells are usually fats and food caught in the trap or the branch pipe — but sometimes it's the vent.

Soakaway not draining: diagnosis and fix

Water pooling on the lawn or driveway after rain? Your soakaway has failed. Here's why, and what your options are.

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Drainage advice

blockages

Blocked toilet won't unblock with a plunger — what to try next

cctv surveys

What is a CCTV drain survey and do I need one to buy a house?

CCTV survey report explained (defect codes and gradings)

costs

Cost to unblock an outside drain in the UK (2026)

diagnosis

Gurgling toilet when the shower runs — what it means

diy

How to find your drain access cover (and what to do when you do)

emergencies

Storm drain flooding outside the house: what to do now

legal

Who's responsible for a blocked drain — me or the water company?

methods

Drain jetting vs rodding: which do I need?

new builds

New build drainage issues — what your warranty covers

prevention

Preventing blocked drains: 8 things that actually help

repairs

Tree roots in drains: signs, repair options and costs

smells

Why does my drain smell? Causes and how to fix it

Bad smell from kitchen sink: traps, fats and venting

soakaways

Soakaway not draining: diagnosis and fix

Need it sorted today?