What to do first
Drain Unblocking in Shropshire
High-pressure water jetting for blocked drains, toilets, gullies and soil stacks at homes and businesses across Shropshire, and what to do while you wait.
A blocked drain announces itself: toilets that will not clear, gullies backing up in the yard, that unmistakable smell. Most blockages are caused by the usual suspects, fat and grease, wipes, roots that have found a joint, or a pipe defect that has finally caught enough debris to close the bore.
Blockages are cleared with high-pressure water jetting, which cuts through grease and roots and washes the debris away rather than just punching a hole through it, so the drain ends up properly clear rather than temporarily relieved. Rods still have their place for simple, close blockages, and a well-equipped contractor carries both.
If a drain keeps blocking in the same place, something is wrong in the pipe. Repeat blockages are the classic sign of a displaced joint, a root mass or a broken section, and a CCTV camera down the line will find the cause rather than repeatedly treating the symptom.
What the service includes
- High-pressure water jetting of foul and surface water drains
- Blocked toilets, sinks, gullies, soil stacks and manholes
- Descaling and root cutting with the appropriate jetting heads
- Camera checks after clearing where a defect is suspected
- Preventive jetting programmes for properties and businesses with known problem runs
Whose drain is it?
In most cases the pipework within your boundary serving only your property is yours, while shared drains and public sewers belong to the water company, Severn Trent across most of Shropshire. Off-mains properties own the lot, from the house to the tank to the soakaway. If a blockage turns out to be on the public side, you should be told so plainly, because that clearance should not cost you anything.
Wipes and fat are the villains
So-called flushable wipes do not break down and are behind a large share of all drain blockages. Fat poured down the kitchen sink sets like candle wax in the cool of the drain. Bin both and most drains will behave for years.
Why it keeps blocking
A drain that blocks repeatedly usually has a defect behind it. Clearing treats the symptom; finding the fault is what stops it recurring.
Drain Unblocking near you
Enquiries for drain unblocking are covered throughout Shropshire. Find the detail for your area:
Frequently asked questions
What should I do while I wait for someone to come out?
Stop putting water into the system, which means no toilets, showers, dishwasher or washing machine, because anything you add has nowhere to go and raises the level. Keep people and pets away from anything that has surfaced. If a gully outside is backing up, clear leaves and debris from the grate, which occasionally fixes it outright.
Is jetting safe for old pipes?
In experienced hands, yes. Pressure and jetting heads are chosen to suit the pipe material and condition, and older clay or pitch fibre lines are treated with appropriate care.
The drain blocks every few months. Is that normal?
No. A healthy drain should not block on a schedule. Repeat blockages almost always mean a defect or a root mass in the line, and a CCTV survey will show exactly what and where it is.
Need drain unblocking?
Describe the problem and we will tell you what you are most likely dealing with, and put you in touch with a local specialist where one covers your area. No charge for that, and no obligation.