You can have a clogged drain if your sink is taking a long time to drain or there is a strange scent coming from outside your house. But don’t panic; you’ll almost always be able to remove the block yourself and won’t likely need to alert anybody.
But hold on! However, you must first determine whether the obstruction is your fault before donning your overalls and tool belt. It is your obligation to maintain and repair any private drains that are located inside the perimeter of your property, therefore feel free to do so.
You may not be dealing with this problem alone if it is an exterior drain, such as a lateral drain that you share with your neighbours. Your water and sewerage business may be in charge of it. These nearby water partners can assist if you have problems with your water supply or clogged drains.
You will learn about the typical drain clogs outside and within your house, their causes, and how to prevent them in this post. We’ll also go through your obligations as a homeowner and who you should call if you have issues.
Common problems: blocked drains
Let’s discuss the typical drain clogs that occur both inside and outside of your house. You can determine if the blockage started within your house or is a wider issue impacting your common drains by looking at a few different variables.
Ask your neighbours whether they have any problems with water draining from their homes first. It is totally your responsibility if they aren’t having any issues or if your internal drain is clogged but your exterior drain is working well.
external drain obstructed
It’s crucial to respond right away if you see any of the following:
A clogged outside drain
It may be clogged either externally with leaves and debris or inside with coffee grounds other hygienic materials. There’s a chance that this isn’t simply your problem.
A blocked kitchen drain outdoors
It is your obligation to unclog any clogged exterior kitchen drains since they are not a part of the public sewage system. Read on for suggestions on what to do.
Smelly outdoors drains
The telltale sign is the bad stench; if you look deeper, you can discover a variety of objects clogging your drains.
Drain outside is overflowing
Once again, an overflowing drain is a certain symptom of a clog. Read on for suggestions on what to do.
internal drain clogged
There is no question that if one of your inside drains is clogged, it is your duty to clear it. Pouring coffee grinds or fat and oil from your delectable roast dinners down the drain is one of the major reasons of clogs in kitchen sinks. For immediate assistance on that front, see our post on how to unclog your kitchen sink.
When the drain in your bathroom sink or bathtub becomes clogged, hair or soap clumps are often at blame. Read our instructions on how to unclog a bathroom sink or shower to learn how to do it.
What results in clogged outside drains?
Maintaining the condition of your outside drains is crucial, as is avoiding frequent errors that might cause severe headaches. Branches, dirt, sludge, moss, trash, and other outdoor detritus are the main culprits for clogging outdoor drains. However, the things you flush or pour down your pipes inside might be just as hazardous, if not more so.
Pouring grease, oil, or coffee grounds down the sink will not make your exterior drains happy, just like it will not make your interior drains happy. Similar problems arise when wet wipes, sanitary products, and hair and soap build up in the shower or toilet.
To avoid future blockages, you should take action to address these concerns and think about preventive solutions like drain coverings. For assistance and support in the case of a blockage, consider reaching out to regional water partners like Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water, and Severn Trent for HomeServe Insurance.
A brief blast from a pressure hose every now and then can keep your exterior drains clean and clear and help you avoid future clogs.
Blocked drains: responsibility
Depending on how your area’s drainage network is set up, you may be responsible for clearing clogged drains. The UK government modified the law in several regions of the nation in the early 2010s, giving water sewerage corporations including Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water, and Severn Trent, among others, responsibility for private sewers and lateral drains. This resulted in improved long-term maintenance of the sewage network and clearer ownership.
The short and sweet of it is that if the obstruction you’ve discovered affects a public drain, our reliable water partners are ready to help. If the drain is private, you must repair it on your own or arrange for someone else to do it.
How can I tell whether the drain I use is shared?
If your exterior drains are shared, it’s critical to get in touch with your local water provider since a clog might be coming from another home and your DIY solutions won’t solve the problem permanently.
Contact your water and sewerage utility to see whether your outdoor drains are shared. You may also phone your local council or look up the deeds to your property.
How to clear a clogged outdoor drain
Determine the location of the obstruction to determine who is in charge of clearing it.
Speak with your neighbourhood water and sewerage provider so they can help you determine if you are accountable. If necessary, they will show up to unclog the drain.
If you need a rapid cure for a blockage that you are accountable for as the property owner, go to the DIY fix method below.
Keep yourself protected with HomeServe insurance so that you may rely on our dependable House Experts for assistance if a blockage damages your home and you are responsible for fixing it.
How to guard against clogged drain problems
Maintaining clean drains is essential to avoiding obstructions. But if you’re experiencing issues, HomeServe may use our insurance or one-off repairs service to put you in touch with dependable, knowledgeable experts who can assist. You can contact us for Blocked Drain Pipes North Shore.
