A sink, toilet or gully that will not drain is a common reason to send a request. The right fix depends on where the blockage sits. Say which fixtures are affected, because that helps the engineer plan the job. Because methods differ, prices can differ too.
Drain unblocking means clearing a pipe so water can flow again. The engineer may use rods, a drain snake or a water jet, depending on the blockage. If the same drain blocks twice, ask whether a camera check makes sense, because the pipe may be damaged.
Plymouth City Council publishes a flood risk strategy for the city. It also runs an online page where you can report a flood. South West Water looks after the public sewers, so a sewer fault goes to the water company.
Who clears a blockage depends on where it sits. A drain that serves only your home is yours to look after, up to your boundary. Past that point, or in a pipe that serves several homes, it may be the job of South West Water. Since the line is not always clear, ask the engineer to say where the blockage sits before you pay.
Unblocking usually begins with a look at which fixtures are slow. The engineer then picks rods, a drain snake or a water jet, because each suits a different blockage. Afterwards, they run water through to see if it flows.
Tip for Plymouth: Note when the problem started and which fixtures are slow. That detail helps the engineer find the blockage sooner. A short note helps, since it saves the engineer time on site.
Say which sink, toilet or gully is slow, and whether it happens at certain times. If several fixtures are slow, say so, because that points to a problem further along the pipe. A short note helps the engineer plan.
Since every engineer sets their own terms, ask before work starts. These questions help you compare quotes fairly. Keep the answers, because they are easier to compare in writing.
A plunger can clear a simple sink blockage. However, if several fixtures back up, the problem is likely further along the pipe. In that case it is time to ask an engineer.
Some do and some do not, because each engineer sets their own terms. Ask the question before you agree to a visit. Then ask for the full price in writing.
It depends on where the blockage sits. A drain that serves only your home is usually yours to clear. A shared drain or sewer, however, may belong to South West Water, so ask the engineer to say which section has the blockage.
The same service is also listed for drain unblocking in Plymstock and drain unblocking in Saltash. Each page has its own notes on drains and flooding, while the basic steps stay the same. You can read either one to compare.
For background, read the signs of a blocked drain. You can also browse all drainage pages for Plymouth or the drain unblocking overview, since each one covers a different angle. Whichever page you choose, the request form at the top of this page stays the same.