Drainage Services

Why Do Drains Block

We explain some of the reasons your drain might have blocked

Is your outside drain blocked?

General Use & Abuse
All drains and waste pipes will block and require cleaning at some time. Unfortunately, until they block, few people give a second thought to maintenance and their drains are generally subjected to unwitting abuse and neglect.

Blocked Drains
Scale, dirt, silt, grease, hair, baby-wipes, sanitary-products and all manner of foreign objects accumulate within the drains – and they are the more acceptable items. Usually, it is only a matter of time before the flow capacity of the pipe is reduced or obstructed enough to create either a full or partial blockage.

Often, the first indication that you will have of the problem is when the toilet fills up after flushing or a manhole overflows into your garden.

Issues that could've been present before you arrived

Structural Drain Defects
Underground drains and sewers can suffer from structural defects caused by ground movement, faulty and leaking pipe joints, subsidence, tree roots, vehicular loading, drain collapse and just general wear and tear. All of these problems will lead to reduced or obstructed flow resulting in a blockage.

Leaking joints and fractured pipes in underground drains can wash away the surrounding earth; this can be particularly problematical within close proximity to buildings, as the erosion may affect the stability of the foundations.