What to Do if You Have a Blocked Drain

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Call ASL on 0800 181 684 – we’re always happy to help.

What should you do if you suddenly have a blocked drain?

ASL Limited regularly carries out drainage work throughout Guildford and the surrounding villages within a 25-mile radius. Our engineers are often working in areas such as Godalming, Haslemere, Hindhead, Farnham, Cranleigh, and the surrounding Surrey and Hampshire villages, helping homeowners and businesses resolve blocked drains, carry out CCTV surveys, and identify hidden drainage problems before they become more serious.

A blocked drain often starts quietly.

Water might begin draining a little slower than normal. You may notice a smell. Or you might hear gurgling sounds from the pipes. Fat and grease can build up inside drains over time, forming what many people call a “fat-berg” because it behaves like an iceberg inside the pipe.

The fat sticks to the sides and roof of the drain, gradually narrowing the pipe and slowing the flow of water. Debris then catches on the fat, and the blockage continues to grow.

This type of build-up is one of the most common causes of repeated drain blockages.

Then, suddenly, one day, the sink, toilet, bath, or outside drain stops working completely.

Most people panic at this point. They imagine something serious underground or an expensive repair.

The truth is that many blocked drains are usually caused by fairly simple things. But it is important to understand what is happening and what you should do first before the problem gets worse.

The first signs of a blocked drain

The warning signs usually appear before the drain completely blocks.

Common early signs include:

• Water is draining slowly,
• Gurgling sounds in sinks or toilets,
• Unpleasant smells coming from drains,
• Water backing up in the shower or bath,
• Outside gullies fill with water during use.

These signs mean something is restricting the flow of water inside the pipe.

If you act early, the problem can often be solved quickly.

Step one: Identify where the blockage might be

The first thing to do is look at where the water is backing up.

This outside gully is blocked on the surface with grass and debris, which stops the water from draining away properly.

For example:

We also found that roof rainwater is connected to the kitchen waste sewage line. When rainwater mixes with sewage, it can overload the system, leading to blockages and slower drainage.

Situations like this often need a proper inspection to separate the systems and keep the drains flowing as they should.

If the toilet, bath, and sinks are all affected, the blockage may be further along the main drain.

If water appears in outside gullies, the problem may be outside the property.

Understanding this helps identify whether the issue is inside the pipework or further along the drainage system.

Step two: Check the simple things first

Before assuming the worst, check the most common causes.

Kitchen sinks

Kitchen drains block easily because of fat, grease, and food debris.

Over time, these materials build up inside the pipe and slowly reduce the flow.

Hot water can sometimes soften grease and temporarily help restore some flow.

Cleaning the trap under the sink can also remove small blockages.

Bathroom drains

Bathroom drains often block due to:

• Hair,
• Soap residue,
• Toothpaste,
• Skin oils.

Removing the plug and clearing any visible hair can sometimes quickly solve the problem.

Outside gullies

Many blockages occur in the outside gully.

Leaves, fat, food waste, and silt can build up inside the gully chamber and stop water from flowing into the underground drain.

If the water level in the gully is high, the blockage is often located there.

When the blockage is further down the drain

Sometimes the problem is deeper in the drainage system.

Common causes include:

• Tree roots entering pipes,
• Cracked or broken pipework,
• Pipe joints are separating,
• Fat and scale are building up over time,
• Drains that have subsided and lost their fall.

When this happens, the blockage will usually keep coming back even if you temporarily clear it.

This is when professional equipment is needed to properly clean and inspect the pipe.

Damage like this is sometimes considered accidental damage under house insurance policies, but it depends on the circumstances and how the drainage report is written.

The wording in the report must be clear and factual. A poorly written report can affect whether an insurance claim is accepted.

Why repeated blockages happen

A drain that blocks repeatedly usually has an underlying cause.

For example, if a pipe has a slight collapse or an open joint, materials will accumulate at that point over time.

Eventually, the flow slows down enough to cause another blockage.

This is why simply pushing a rod through a blockage often does not solve the real problem.

The drain needs to be cleaned and inspected properly to identify the exact cause.

How professionals clear blocked drains

At ASL Limited, we normally follow a simple process.

First, we clear the blockage properly using high-pressure water jetting.

This removes grease, debris, and build-up from the pipe walls rather than just punching a hole through the blockage.

After the drain is flowing again, we often carry out a free CCTV camera survey to see exactly what caused the blockage.

This allows us to identify problems such as root intrusion, pipe damage, or structural issues.

By understanding the cause, we can stop the blockage returning again.

A real example

We were recently called to a property where the kitchen drain had blocked three times in six months.

Each time the blockage had been pushed through with rods, but the problem kept returning.

When we cleaned the pipe and carried out a camera survey, we found a section of pipe had slightly subsided underground.

Grease and food waste were collecting in that dip.

Once the pipe was repaired and properly cleaned, the drain worked normally again.

Don’t ignore the early signs

Blocked drains rarely fix themselves.

If you notice slow drainage, smells, or gurgling sounds, it is always better to investigate the cause before the drain blocks completely.

Acting early can prevent:

• Flooding,
• Damage to property,
• Sewage backing up into the house,
• Expensive repairs later.

Need help with a blocked drain?

Our experienced engineers clear most blocked drains quickly and safely using the correct equipment.

📞 Call ASL Limited on 0800 181684

We will identify the cause, clear the blockage properly, and make sure your drainage system is working as it should.