Blog>Expert Advice>Is a blocked drain an emergency?
Last updated: 4 October 2024
Is a blocked drain an emergency?
Blocked drains can be more than just an annoying household problem. We look at which repairs are classed as an emergency and will need instant attention.
Is a blocked drain an emergency?
Have you noticed the signs of a blocked drain? Clogged up pipes in your home can be annoying but this problem does not always need to be treated as an emergency situation.
For example, you won't need to call an emergency plumber if your kitchen sink is draining a little slower than usual. There are certain situations however where a blocked drain will need to be cleared sooner rather than later.
A blocked drain is often considered an emergency if any of the following apply:
Water is overflowing - Water can overflow into your home if there is a major blockage backing up the drainage system. Constant overflowing can eventually flood your rooms and cause water damage to your property
Large leaks - Trapped water can create high pressure inside of your home's pipes. When this happens, water can leak through the pipe joints or the pipe can burst. Large leaks can lead to damp and other water damage
Household facilities can't be used - You have an emergency situation on your hands if the only toilet, shower or sink in your house is blocked and can't be used. Emergency repairs will be needed if your essential household facilities are out of order and there are no alternatives
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Types of drainage issues
Sometimes a minor drain blockage can be cleared using various DIY unblocking methods. Other times professional emergency repair work will be urgently needed.
Typically, emergency drain repairs are only needed if you have burst pipes, large leaks or overflowing drains.
Let's take a closer look at each problem to help you to discover if your blocked drain is an emergency or not:
Burst pipes
A burst pipe is an emergency situation. High pressure caused by a blockage can damage a pipe's structural integrity, causing water to 'burst' out. Freezing temperatures and corrosion can also cause this type of pipe damage.
When a pipe bursts, you have no control over the water flooding out, which can often lead to extensive water damage throughout your home.
Here are the most common signs of a burst pipe:
Fluctuating water pressure
Damp patches/water stains
Gurgling sounds/running water noises
Leaks
Bad smell
Increase in water bills
If you think your pipe has burst, we recommend shutting off the water supply and calling an emergency drain specialist.
Leaks
A small leak under the kitchen sink shouldn't cause you any panic. This minor issue can usually be repaired in a few simple steps.
A leaking blocked toilet can put your health and home at risk and should be fixed as soon as possible.
Burst or damaged blocked pipes can cause water to leak through the ceiling. Leaking pipes can potentially damage wallpaper, paint, plasterboard, and all of your belongings. Water damage will continue to get worse until the leak is stopped.
Overflowing drain
Water constantly overflowing from your drainage system can become a big problem in just a short time.
Wastewater will continue to flood back into your home every time you try to drain water into a blocked pipe. For example, continuing to flush a backed-up toilet is just asking for trouble!
Contact an emergency plumber if water is overflowing into your kitchen or bathroom. A professional can locate the blockage, clear the drain, and get the water flowing again.
Alternatively, a drain clearance company can resolve any issues with your property's external drains.
We always recommend getting a tradesperson in for any blockage or leak. Paying a higher call out fee is often more cost-effective than paying to repair extensive water damage in the future.
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What happens if you leave a blocked drain?
Sometimes a blocked drain will clear itself. Bacteria in the pipes can break down food particles and other waste over time. This can be a lengthy process and you will continue to experience slow draining and other problems until the blockage has cleared.
More often than not, ignoring a blocked drain is a bad idea. Failing to clear the drainage system can lead to burst pipes, overflowing drains and water damage throughout your property.
We recommend clearing a blocked drain as soon as possible. Even if you are not currently dealing with a drain emergency, ignoring the early signs of a blockage can lead to plumbing problems in the future.
Who to call in a blocked drain emergency
Are you dealing with a drain emergency outside of working hours? If so, you will need to call either a 24 hour drain clearance company or emergency plumber.
Plumbers are qualified to deal with drain issues inside of your home. For example, an emergency plumber can fix an overflowing toilet or burst pipe in your kitchen.
The assistance of an emergency drain clearance company will be needed if your outside drains are blocked and overflowing. These tradespeople use specialist tools to access and clear debris from the external pipes.
If you are not sure who to contact try to remember this:
Plumbers fix drains and pipes inside of your home
Sewer clearance companies deal with external drain problems
Drain clearance costs
Before you pay a professional to resolve your drain emergency, first check if you are responsible for the drain.
Often all of the drains on your property are your responsibility, but the local authority or a private sewage company may own external drains. Read our expert article to learn more about drain repair responsibilities.
The following factors determine the cost of hiring an emergency drain clearance company:
The size and location of the blockage
The extent of the damage
The type of clearance methods used
Your location - emergency plumbers and drain clearance companies charge varying rates throughout the UK
The average call out fee for an emergency drain clearance specialist is£180. You can expect to pay an average of £85 for drain rodding and£185 fordrain jetting.
Emergency plumbers typically charge an average call out fee of £110.
What's the average cost of unblocking a drain?
In this drain unblocking cost guide, we outline the typical cost of unblocking a drain - including drain jetting, rodding and lining prices.
Key takeaways
Not all blocked drains are considered an emergency situation
Emergency repairs are typically needed if a pipe has burst, there's a major leak or water is overflowing into a property
24 hour drain clearance companies and emergency plumbers can be called during a drainage emergency
Drain clearance companies and emergency plumbers charge an average call out fee of £180
Hire a Checkatrade approved emergency drain clearance company near you
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