Problems this covers
- Slow drains in a sink, bath or shower
- A toilet that fills up or flushes weakly
- Gurgling pipes or smells from a plughole
- Water pooling around an outside gully
- More than one fixture backing up at once
Blocked Drains in Plymouth: what to know
A blocked drain rarely clears by itself. Water drains slowly, a toilet gurgles, or a bad smell hangs near the sink. Since the cause can sit in one fixture or a shared pipe, note which taps and toilets show the problem. This detail helps the engineer find the spot.
Most blockages build up from daily waste. Fat, hair, wipes and paper stick to the pipe wall and narrow the gap. However, roots and cracked joints can also stop the flow, so the cause is not always clear. A camera can show what a plunger cannot.
A drainage engineer usually starts by finding where the water stops. Then they pick a method to suit the pipe, such as rods, a plunger or a water jet. If the problem keeps coming back, a camera check can show why, because the pipe may have damage. Ask the engineer to explain the cause in plain terms.
Questions to ask the engineer
- What is the total price, in writing?
- Is there a call-out charge, and is it in the quote?
- What cover does the work carry, and for how long?
- Will the engineer check the flow after clearing the pipe?
- Can a camera show why the drain blocked?
How a typical job runs
- Describe the problem and which fixtures are affected
- The engineer finds the spot where the water stops
- The blockage is cleared with a method to suit the pipe
- Water is run through to check the flow
- Ask for tips to stop the blockage coming back
Blocked Drains guides
Each fixture blocks in its own way because the pipes differ. Pick the guide that fits your problem. Read about blocked toilet, blocked sink and blocked bath & shower.
Blocked Toilet
A blocked toilet fills the bowl or flushes weakly. Read the signs, how engineers clear it and what to ask.Blocked Sink
A blocked sink drains slowly or not at all. Read the causes, how engineers clear it and what to ask.Blocked Bath & Shower
Baths and showers block with hair and soap. Read the signs, the fix and what to ask the engineer.Blocked Drains near you
Looking for local details? Try the pages for blocked drains in Saltash, blocked drains in Plympton or blocked drains in Tavistock, since each one covers its own town. Pages for all nine towns sit at the foot of this page.
Not sure how serious your problem is? This guide lists the warning signs. Read 7 Warning Signs You Have a Blocked Drain for more, since it goes into more detail. It uses plain words.
Blocked Drains: common questions
What usually causes a blocked drain?
Fat, hair, wipes and paper cause most blockages. Roots, cracked pipes and shifted joints cause others. If a blockage keeps coming back, a camera check can show the cause, because clearing alone may not fix a damaged pipe. Ask what the engineer found.
Can I use drain cleaner on a blocked drain?
Chemical cleaners may shift a small blockage, but they do not suit every pipe. They can harm old pipework and seals. Read the label and never mix products. However, if the blockage stays, ask an engineer rather than adding more.
Who looks after a blocked drain?
That depends on whose pipe it is. Since 1 October 2011, shared drains and lateral drains beyond your boundary belong to the water company. The pipe within your boundary that serves only your home stays yours. Ask the engineer which section has the blockage before you agree to pay.
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