Blog>Expert Advice>Why is my outside kitchen drain overflowing?
Last updated: 16 August 2024
Why is my outside kitchen drain overflowing?
Is there a bad odour and standing water in your outside kitchen drain? Let us help you get to the root cause of the problem and stop your drain from overflowing.
Should there be standing water in an outside kitchen drain?
Drains have one job: to move water away from your property. If there is standing water or your outside kitchen drain is overflowing, there is a problem.
Stagnant water and overflowing outside drains are signs of a blockage somewhere in your home's pipe system.
The following problems can be caused by ignoring a blocked or overflowing drain:
Unpleasant smells - Stagnant water will develop a foul odour over time
Insect infestations - Flies and other insects are attracted to stagnant water
Pipe damage - Blocked drains can lead to pipe damage and leaks
Causes of a blocked outside drain
Common causes of outside kitchen drain problems include:
Food waste - Crumbs and other food waste should not be rinsed down the kitchen sink. Food particles can build up in the outside drain, causing a blockage and water to overflow
Grease/fat/oil - Pouring liquid fat down the kitchen sink is a bad idea. Grease and fat will solidify as it cools and clog up your kitchen drainage system. This can be a problem for pipes beneath the sink and the drain outside
Leaves/debris - Fallen leaves, soil, rocks and other debris can obstruct exterior drains
Tree roots - It is possible for tree roots to grow into outside pipes, causing pipe damage and overflowing
What to do when your outside drain is blocked
If your outside drain is blocked, we'll take you through your options on how to clear it yourself, including tools and expert techniques.
How to unclog an outside kitchen drain
Fixing an overflowing drain can be as easy as removing a buildup of leaves from the entrance. That being said, pipe blockages can be a complex issue, and a professional tradesperson may be needed to fix the problem.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
There are several methods you can use to try and unclog an outside drain:
Homemade solutions
Caustic soda and other chemical compounds can be used to unblock a drain. However, if you don't want to use strong chemicals, you can try effective homemade solutions.
A solution of baking soda, vinegar and water may be all that is needed to unblock your outside drain. If this method doesn't work, the system's blockage may be too deep.
Plunger
We recommend always having a plunger on hand in your kitchen and bathroom. This tool can remove a blockage and help you quickly deal with an overflowing drain.
Place the plunger over the outside drain and make sure it forms a tight seal around the entrance.
Drain rodding
Drain rodding involves placing a long rod down into the drain and breaking up the accumulated debris. More than one rod may be needed to reach the waste buildup inside the pipes.
Remove debris
Outside drains are exposed to the natural elements. Your exterior kitchen drain may overflow simply because leaves and dirt are getting in the way.
Remove leaves and other debris from the top of your drain. If dirt has built up further down the system, further work may be needed. A drain specialist can inspect the drain to find the exact location of the blockage.
CCTV drain survey: Cost breakdown [year]
Experiencing poor drainage can be a real pain for homeowners, and dealing with it means understanding the problem. That’s where CCTV drain surveys can help. In this guide we look at the average CCTV drain survey cost in the UK.
Hire a plumber
A general plumber will be able to unclog your outside kitchen drain. They may use a plunger, drain rods or manual extraction methods to clear the blockage and get water flowing smoothly from your kitchen again.
In more severe cases, a drain specialist will need to inspect the pipe systems and use more advanced methods to fix an overflowing drain.
Professional drain clearing methods include:
Drain jetting
Tree root removal
Drain rodding
Pipe repair
Hiring a sewage clearance company
Help and advice for hiring the best drain and sewer services local to you.
Can you pour boiling water down an outside drain?
Pouring boiling water down an outside drain can lead to more harm than good.
Boiling water can cause pipes to warp and weaken. Damaged pipes are more prone to leaks and structural problems.
Wait a few minutes after boiling the kettle before pouring the water down the drain. Alternatively, try using one of the other unblocking methods we have shared above.
Cost to unblock an outside drain
Have your DIY unblocking attempts been unsuccessful? A professional drain specialist can fix your overflowing outside kitchen drain in no time.
The cost for professional drain unblocking will depend on:
Your location - Tradespeople charge varying fees across the UK
Tools needed - Unblocking costs will be higher if a CCTV survey or specialist equipment is needed
The extent of the work - Complex jobs take more time to complete, increasing costs if you are paying a tradesperson per hour (not per project)
Additional costs - The final price will be higher if additional repair work is needed, such as patch repairs or replacement pipework
Plumbers charge an average hourly rate of £50. If you need a drain specialist to fix your overflowing outside drain, you can expect to pay £275 per day.
The average cost of professional drain rodding and jetting is £270. A CCTV drain survey costs an average of £200. Read ourdrain unblocking cost guide for more information.
Key takeaways
An overflowing outside kitchen drain can be caused by food waste, leaves, tree roots or grease blocking the pipes
Stagnant water in the drain can result in bad smells and pipe damage
DIY drain unblocking methods include using a plunger or pouring a homemade unclogging solution into the drain
Plumbers can typically clear a minor blockage
Drain specialists use drain rodding, drain jetting and other methods to unclog an outside drain
Specialist tradespeople charge an average daily rate of £275 to unclog an outside drain
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job