Find out what kind of outside drain it is
Start by looking at what you have. Most homes have a few types of outside drain. Each one needs a slightly different approach.
- Gully: a grate set in the ground, often under a downpipe or by a kitchen wall.
- Rodding point: a small capped opening that gives access to the pipe.
- Inspection chamber: a larger cover that opens onto the main run of drain.
The drain from a home to the public sewer is about 10 cm wide, which is less than a DVD. So a small build-up can still block it.
Your private drain runs from your home to your property boundary. The homeowner is responsible for it, although the boundary is not always obvious. Our guide on who is responsible for a blocked drain in Scotland explains where that boundary falls.
What you can safely try
Wear gloves and eye protection before you start, since drain water is dirty. Then work through these steps in order.
- Look at the gully grate. Lift it if it moves freely.
- Remove leaves, grit and any rubbish you can reach by hand or with a trowel.
- Pour a bucket of water into the gully and watch how fast it drains.
- Clean the grate, put it back, and test again after a few minutes.
- Stop if the water rises or you see sewage.
If the water drains away, the blockage was probably on the surface. Keep an eye on the gully for the next few days. A slow drain that returns is still a warning sign, so read our list of warning signs of a blocked drain.
What not to do
Never climb into an inspection chamber or a drain. The Scottish building standards handbook says people should enter drains and sewers only where there is no alternative. Cameras and remote kit exist so that nobody has to go in.
Do not force a rod down a pipe you cannot see, since you can push a blockage deeper or damage the pipe. If you are unsure, stop and ask for help.
Do not clear a road gully yourself, since a road gully is the council's to clear, not yours. Our guide on council or Scottish Water for a blocked road drain explains who to contact.
When to stop and ask for help
Some signs mean the job is bigger than a bucket and a trowel. Stop if you see any of these.
- Sewage is standing in a gully or chamber.
- More than one sink, toilet or bath is draining slowly.
- The same drain blocks again within a few weeks.
In those cases, a drainage engineer can look at the whole run of pipe, since some outside blockages need more than a hand tool. See our page on outside drain unblocking for what that work involves.
For private pipework, Scottish Water suggests a licensed plumber, or your landlord or the council if you rent. When you ask a drainage engineer to visit, ask for a written quote before work starts. Also ask whether there is a call-out charge.
The request form on this site is open 24/7, so you can send details at any time. Mark your request urgent if sewage is coming up.
Which method fits which blockage
Water-based cleaning is one option for stubborn grease or silt, although it may not suit every pipe. Our page on drain jetting explains how it works. For a deeper comparison, read drain jetting versus drain rods.
These town pages cover drain jetting and unblocking nearby.
- Drain jetting in East Kilbride
- Drain jetting in Motherwell
- Drain jetting in Lanark
- Drain unblocking in Lanark
For local help, see drain help in East Kilbride. You can also browse drain unblocking services, all drain services and the towns covered.
Keeping it clear
Most blockages are avoidable. Only flush pee, poo and toilet paper. Bin all wipes, even ones sold as flushable, because many contain plastic and do not break down.
Fat, oil and grease thicken as they cool, and mixed with other waste, they still form blockages and fatbergs. So let leftover fat set, then scrape it into food waste or the bin.
FAQ
How do I unblock an outside drain?
First find out whether it is a gully, a rodding point or a chamber. Clear surface debris by hand, then test with a bucket of water. Stop and ask for help if sewage is standing or the problem keeps coming back.
What causes blocked drains?
Wipes, fat and other wrong items cause most blockages. Many wipes contain plastic, so they do not break down. Fat sets as it cools and builds up inside the pipe.
Will a blocked drain clear itself?
A partial blockage may ease for a while. However, the cause is still in the pipe, so it can return. If the same drain slows again, get it checked.