Emergency Drainage Guide

Sewage Backup

What to do:

• Stop using all water in the property immediately
• Don't flush toilets or use sinks/showers
• Turn off water at the mains if necessary
• Keep children and pets away from contaminated areas
• Call an emergency drainage company immediately
• Contact your insurance company to report the incident

This is a serious health hazard requiring immediate professional attention.

Severe Drain Blockage

What to do:

• Stop using the affected drain immediately
• Check if multiple drains are affected (indicates main drain blockage)
• Look for signs of backup in toilets, sinks, or showers
• Don't use chemical drain cleaners on severe blockages
• Contact a drainage company with high-pressure jetting equipment

Flooding from Drains

What to do:

• Turn off electricity at the mains if water is near electrical outlets
• Move valuable items to higher ground
• Don't attempt to unblock drains yourself if flooding is severe
• Take photos for insurance purposes
• Call emergency drainage services immediately
• If flooding is from street drainage, contact your water company

Collapsed Drain

Symptoms: Ground subsidence, foul odours, sewage pooling, multiple blocked drains

What to do:

• Stop using all drains and toilets
• Keep people and pets away from affected areas
• Contact drainage specialists with CCTV survey equipment
• May require excavation and drain replacement
• Check if damage falls under your buildings insurance

Overflowing Manhole or Gully

What to do:

• Check if it's on your property or in the public highway
• If on public highway, report to your water company immediately
• If on your property, contact emergency drainage services
• Keep people and pets away from overflow
• Place warning signs if on public access areas

Foul Odours and Gas

What to do:

• Open windows to ventilate the property
• Check for dried-out sink traps (run water to refill)
• If smell persists or is severe, evacuate and call a drainage company
• Don't use naked flames or electrical switches near strong odours
• May indicate broken drain or faulty ventilation

24/7 Emergency Services

Many drainage companies offer round-the-clock emergency call-outs. Response times typically range from 1-2 hours for urgent issues.

What to Ask When Calling

When contacting emergency drainage services, provide:

• Your location and postcode
• Nature of the emergency (blockage, flooding, sewage backup)
• How many drains are affected
• Any immediate health or safety risks
• Request estimated arrival time and call-out cost

Emergency Call-Out Costs

Emergency drainage call-outs typically cost £150-£400 depending on time of day and severity. Many companies charge:

• Standard rate during working hours (8am-6pm)
• Premium rate for evenings and weekends
• Higher rate for night call-outs (10pm-6am)

Always ask for a quote before work begins.

Regular Maintenance

Have your drains professionally inspected and cleaned annually to prevent emergency blockages.

What Not to Flush

Never flush wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds, or nappies down toilets. Only flush human waste and toilet paper.

Grease and Fat

Don't pour cooking oil, grease, or fat down sinks. Allow to cool and dispose in the bin.

Tree Roots

Consider CCTV drain surveys if you have large trees near drainage pipes. Root ingress is a common cause of blockages.