A drain emergency can strike at an awkward moment. It might be sewage backing up, a blocked drain that floods, or a collapsed pipe. A few calm steps in the first minutes can limit the damage, since water spreads fast.
Is it an emergency?
Not every drain problem is urgent. However, these signs mean you should act now:
- Sewage backing up into your home
- Water flooding from a drain
- Several drains blocked at once
- A strong sewage smell indoors
- Sewage showing in your garden or drive
Steps to take right away
1. Stop using water
Stop all water use as soon as you see a serious problem, because every extra litre has nowhere to go. Extra water makes the problem worse. These are the main things to avoid:
- Do not flush toilets
- Do not run taps or showers
- Do not use the washing machine or dishwasher
2. Protect your home
If water or sewage is entering your home, move what you can. Lift furniture and valuables away from the area, while it is still safe to do so. Roll up rugs, and open a window if the smell is strong.
3. Check the stopcock
If clean water is leaking, find your stopcock and turn it off. It is often under the kitchen sink or near the front door. Turning it off will not stop sewage. However, it stops new water from adding to the mess.
4. Keep clear of dirty water
Sewage can carry germs, so keep children and pets away. If you must enter the area, wear rubber boots and gloves. Wash your hands well afterwards, since germs spread by touch. Do not eat or drink nearby.
5. Record the damage
Once the water is under control, take photos and videos. Note the time the problem began, and list any damaged items. Your insurer may ask for this, because it supports a claim.
What not to do
Do not use chemical drain cleaners
In an emergency, chemicals will not help and may make things worse, because a major fault needs a different fix. They suit minor blockages, not a major fault.
Do not open the sewer
Sewers can be dangerous, so do not lift covers to look inside. Leave inspection chambers and sewers to a trained engineer, since they need the right kit.
Do not wait it out
A drainage fault will not fix itself. Delay lets more water in, and it can raise the repair bill. Therefore, act early even if the leak looks small.
Whose drain is it?
Who looks after the pipe depends on where it runs. Since 1 October 2011, South West Water has owned private sewers once they leave your property boundary or join another property.
A drain that serves only your home, inside your boundary, is yours to look after. Cornwall Council sets this out on its sewers and drains page. If neighbours have the same problem, a shared sewer may be the cause. Check South West Water's website for how to report it, because the water company deals with shared sewers.
While you wait for help
Help may take a while to arrive. You can still do a few useful things:
- Clear the way to any manhole or inspection chamber
- Note where water enters or backs up
- Ask neighbours if they have the same problem
- Keep your phone nearby in case the engineer gets in touch
What to put in your request
You can send a request at any time of day. Say that it is urgent, because clear details help the engineer plan. These are the details to include:
- Your address and postcode
- The signs you can see
- When the problem began
- Whether it affects other homes
- How the engineer can reach you
Ask whether there is a call-out charge, and ask for a written quote before work starts. Costs differ, so this avoids surprises. The emergency drain services page covers the options, while the flooding emergency page and the sewage emergency page fit specific cases.
Read more
To spot trouble early, read 7 warning signs of a blocked drain. If a repair looks likely, see why a CCTV drain survey helps, since a camera can show the fault.
Find your local page
Each town has its own page, since drain services are listed by area. For Plymouth, see emergency drain services in Plymouth. In Saltash, use the Saltash page.
Torpoint has an emergency drains page for Torpoint too. You can still browse all drain services or the areas covered.
Send an urgent request online and describe what you see. Add your postcode, because it helps the engineer plan.