Drainage questions, answered plainly

How quickly can you attend an emergency?

We run a 24 hour call out service across London and Essex from our base in Ilford, and aim to be with you as quickly as traffic and workload allow, usually within a couple of hours for genuine emergencies.

When you call, tell us what is overflowing and whether anyone is without a working toilet, as that helps us prioritise correctly.

Which areas do you cover?

All of Greater London and Essex, with the fastest response across Redbridge, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, the City, Romford, Brentwood, Chigwell and Loughton.

If you are outside those areas, call us anyway and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.

How much does it cost to unblock a drain?

Price depends on the type of blockage, where it is and what equipment is needed. We agree the price with you before any work starts, so there is no surprise on the invoice.

If we find that the job is larger than first described, we stop and explain the position before continuing.

Am I responsible for the drain, or is the water company?

Generally you are responsible for the drainage within your property boundary that only serves your property. Shared drains and sewers outside the boundary usually transferred to the water authority in 2011.

A CCTV survey pins down exactly where the fault is, which is what decides who pays.

Why does my drain keep blocking?

Repeat blockages in the same place almost always mean something is holding the debris: root ingress, a displaced joint, a partial collapse, a build up of fat or a badly formed connection.

Clearing it again treats the symptom. A camera survey shows the cause so you can decide what is worth fixing.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

They pass through the toilet, but they do not break down like toilet paper. They bind with fat and other debris and are one of the most common causes of blockages we attend.

The only things that should be flushed are the three Ps: pee, poo and paper.

Should I use a chemical drain cleaner first?

Usually not. Supermarket products soften a narrow channel through a blockage so water moves again, but the deposit stays on the pipe wall and catches the next thing that passes.

They can also damage older pipework and are unpleasant for anyone working on the drain afterwards.

What is a CCTV drain survey and what do I get?

A camera is passed through the drainage run and records the condition of the pipe. You receive the footage and a written report describing any defects, their position and depth, and what we recommend.

Surveys are commonly used for house purchases, insurance claims, and to settle repeat blockages.

Do I need a drain survey before buying a house?

A standard homebuyer report does not cover the drains. A drainage survey is inexpensive compared with discovering a collapsed run after you move in, especially for older property or where there are mature trees nearby.

Is high pressure jetting safe for my pipes?

Yes, when the pressure is matched to the pipe. We survey where there is any doubt about the condition of the run, and we do not jet pipework that is already fractured without discussing it with you first.

Will my insurance cover drain repairs?

Many buildings policies cover collapse and root damage, though cover varies. Insurers normally want footage, a written report and a quote before authorising work, all of which we can supply.

Why do my drains smell?

The usual causes are a dry or missing trap, a partial blockage holding waste in the pipe, or a broken run allowing gases to escape. Outside, a smell around a gully often means it needs clearing.

If a smell persists after cleaning, it is worth a camera check for a cracked or displaced section.

How often should a grease trap be emptied?

It depends on covers served, menu and trap size rather than a fixed rule. We set an interval after the first visit based on how full the unit actually is, and provide waste transfer notes each time.

How often does a septic tank need emptying?

For most households, roughly once a year, though heavy use or a smaller tank may mean more often. Overdue emptying leads to solids reaching the drainage field, which is a far more expensive problem.

Do you guarantee your work?

Yes. We are fully insured and SafeContractor approved, and we stand behind the work we carry out. If something we cleared blocks again for the same reason, tell us and we will come back out.