DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

Blocked Drain in Poole

A blocked drain can cause slow drainage, bad smells and wastewater backing up into your property. We help with blocked drains in Poole for homes and businesses, working out where the blockage is and how best to clear it.

Call 01202 125678 to describe the problem, or request a free quote.

SPOTTING THE PROBLEM

Signs That a Drain May Be Blocked

Drain blockages often build up gradually. Signs that may warrant investigation include water draining slowly from more than one fitting, gurgling sounds from plugholes or toilets, unpleasant smells, water pooling around an outside gully, or wastewater backing up.

Each of these can have several causes. A slow-draining basin, for example, may have a local blockage in its own waste pipe rather than a problem with the main drain. A bad smell does not necessarily mean a drain is blocked. Our guide to the signs of a blocked drain explains these in more detail.

Finding Where the Drainage Problem Is

Before a blockage can be dealt with properly, the affected section of drainage needs to be established. A problem affecting one fitting is often different from one affecting several fittings or the whole property.

We look at which sinks, baths, showers and toilets are affected, check accessible gullies and waste pipes, and consider how the drainage runs from the property. This helps show where the blockage is likely to be.

COMMON CAUSES

What Can Cause a Drain Blockage?

Blockages can have many causes, and the cause is not always clear until the drain is checked. Common causes include:

Fat, Oil and Grease

Cooking fat poured down a sink can cool and harden inside pipes, catching other waste over time.

Food Waste, Hair and Soap

Small amounts can build up in waste pipes and drains, gradually narrowing the space for water to flow.

Unsuitable Items

Wet wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds and other items that should not be flushed can cause stubborn blockages.

Damaged or Displaced Pipework

Sometimes a drain blocks again and again because the pipe itself is damaged, has shifted or has been affected by tree roots. Our article on why a drain may keep getting blocked looks at this further.

Options for Dealing With a Blocked Drain

The right way to clear a blocked drain depends on where the blockage is, what is causing it and how easy the affected section is to reach.

A blockage close to a fitting may be cleared fairly simply, while one further along the drainage system can need more work. If the same drain keeps blocking, it may point to a wider problem, such as damaged pipework, that needs looking at separately.

We explain what we have found and the options before any work starts, so you know what is involved.

CALL 01202 125678

RESPONSIBILITY

Who Is Responsible for the Affected Drain?

Responsibility for a blocked drain depends on where the blockage is and what the pipe serves.

Wessex Water explains who is responsible for drains and sewers. In general, a drain serving only your property is your responsibility up to the boundary, or to the point where it joins pipework from another property. Pipework beyond that point is generally looked after by the sewerage company.

If several neighbouring properties have drainage problems at the same time, the blockage may be in a shared or public sewer, so it is worth contacting your sewerage company. If the problem is within your own drainage, we can help. Our article on who is responsible for a blocked drain explains this in more detail.

SAFETY AND PREVENTION

When a Blocked Drain Becomes Urgent

A blocked drain becomes more urgent when wastewater is backing up into the property, overflowing outside, or leaving you without a working toilet. Our emergency drain unblocking page explains how urgent blockages are dealt with.

If sewage or dirty water is backing up, stop using the affected fittings and avoid unnecessary contact with the water. Keep children and pets away, and keep clear of any electrics the water has reached. Do not mix drain cleaners, bleach or other household chemicals, as this can be dangerous. For a serious problem, you can contact an emergency plumber in Poole day or night.

Helping to Prevent Blockages

Many blockages can be avoided. Let cooking fat cool and put it in the bin rather than down the sink, use sink strainers to catch food waste, and only flush toilet paper and human waste.

HOMES AND BUSINESSES

Blocked Drains at Homes and Commercial Properties

At home, a blocked drain can affect kitchens, bathrooms and outside gullies, and in flats a shared drain can affect more than one property.

For restaurants, cafés, shops, offices and holiday lets, a blocked drain can disrupt the business quickly. Kitchens that handle a lot of fat and food waste can be more prone to blockages, so prevention is worth planning.

What Can Affect Drain Unblocking Work?

Every blocked drain is different, so we do not give fixed prices without understanding the problem. The work involved can depend on where the blockage is, how easy it is to reach, what is causing it, the condition of the pipework and the layout of the drainage.

If damage is found, a repair may be needed as well. We offer free quotes, so you know what is involved before work starts.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Blocked Drain FAQs

What are common signs of a blocked drain?

Slow drainage from several fittings, gurgling sounds, bad smells and water backing up may point to a blocked drain, but each of these can have other causes.

Is a slow-draining sink always a blocked drain?

No. A slow sink is often caused by a blockage in its own waste pipe. If several fittings are slow, the problem may be further along the drain.

What can cause a blocked drain?

Common causes include fat and grease, food waste, hair, wet wipes and other unsuitable items, and sometimes damaged pipework or tree roots.

Should I use a chemical drain cleaner?

Never mix drain products, bleach or other chemicals, as this can be dangerous. If you do use a product, follow its safety instructions. A persistent blockage needs checking.

Who is responsible for a blocked drain?

It depends where the blockage is. A drain serving only your property is usually your responsibility, while shared and public sewers are generally the sewerage company’s.

What affects the cost of clearing a blocked drain?

The location of the blockage, access, its cause, the condition of the pipework and any repairs needed. We offer free quotes so you know what is involved first.

GET IN TOUCH

Get Help With a Blocked Drain in Poole

If you need help with a blocked drain in Poole, call 01202 125678 to describe the problem, or contact us to request a free quote. Our plumbing help is available 24/7.

At Emergency Plumber Poole Pro, we specialise in emergency plumbing help for homes and businesses, available 24/7. Our team deals with leaks, burst pipes and blocked drains across Poole and the surrounding areas.

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