What a gully is
A gully is a grated drain at ground level. It takes rainwater and waste water from a yard, patio or downpipe. The water then flows into the drain below.
You may hear other names for it. Some people spell it "gulley", and South Lanarkshire Council notes it is sometimes called a "stank". Councils may use their own word, although all three mean the same thing.
Leaves, silt and grit collect in a gully over time. The grate stops big items, but fine debris still builds up. When the trap fills, water cannot get away.
Road gully or your gully?
First, find out who owns the gully, since the answer decides who clears it.
- Road gully: the council, as roads authority
- Gully, pipe or gutter inside your boundary: you, the homeowner
- Public sewer problem: Scottish Water
Councils are responsible for the drainage of local roads and public highways. For flooding from roads or blocked highway gullies, Scottish Water says to contact your local council. North Lanarkshire Council says this includes road gullies. South Lanarkshire Council deals with blocked gulleys too.
Glasgow City Council runs gully cleaning based on risk, using flood and blocked gully reports. It also says heavy storms can swamp Scottish Water sewers even when gullies are clear. So a flooded road does not always mean a blocked gully.
Private pipework and guttering within a property boundary is the owner's job. That covers the gully in your drive or back yard. Our guide on council or Scottish Water for a blocked road drain goes into more detail.
Signs your gully needs cleaning
A private gully gives clear warnings. Watch for these signs:
- Water drains slowly or not at all
- Standing water around the grate
- A bad smell near the gully
- Leaves, silt or moss packed under the grate
- Water spilling over after rain
If more than one sign shows up, act soon. A smell, for example, can point to rotting debris that needs clearing.
How a gully is cleaned
The method depends on how blocked the gully is. Here is how each approach works.
- Lift the grate and scoop out debris by hand
- Flush the trap with a hose
- Use rods to clear the pipe below
- Use water jets for stubborn silt or grease
For light debris, a bucket, gloves and a hose may be enough. Never reach into a drain without gloves. If the water still will not drop, the blockage is deeper.
An engineer can then use jets to scour the pipe. To compare jets with rods, read drain jetting versus drain rods. Our drain jetting page explains the method, and domestic drain jetting covers home jobs. For a blocked pipe, see drain unblocking.
If you want to try it yourself first, follow how to unblock an outside drain.
Looking after it
A few habits keep a gully working. Clear leaves from the grate in autumn. Sweep the yard so grit does not wash in, since grit builds up as silt.
Never pour fat down an outside gully. Do not wash paint or cement into it either. Keep gutters and downpipes clear, since they feed the gully.
Sewage, however, is another matter. If dirty water comes up from a gully, read first steps when sewage backs up. If indoor drains are also slow, try what to try with a blocked toilet as a first step.
Where to find help
Pick a town to see the drain services listed for it:
- Drain jetting in Paisley
- Drain jetting in Rutherglen
- Drain unblocking in Coatbridge
- Drain unblocking in Glasgow
You can also start from drain help in Paisley, see the towns covered, or browse all drain services.
Ask for a written quote before work starts. Ask whether there is a call-out charge. One UK guide, MyJobQuote in 2026, puts a gully clean at about 80 to 120 pounds. Other guides differ, and this is not a Glasgow price.
FAQ
What is gully cleaning, and does my outside gully need it?
Gully cleaning clears debris and silt from the grated drain outside. Your gully needs it if water drains slowly, stands around the grate or smells. If the gully is inside your boundary, it is yours to clear.
Who do I call about a blocked road drain or gully?
Call your local council. Councils run the drainage of local roads, including road gullies. For sewage flooding from a public sewer, call Scottish Water instead.