Signs a blocked drain is urgent
Most blocked drains are a nuisance, not a crisis. Still, a few signs mean you should act today. This guide helps you sort the urgent from the routine.
If you see any of these, treat the problem as urgent:
- Sewage or dirty water coming up inside the home
- Water flooding a floor, hall or kitchen
- A toilet you cannot use, with no other toilet in the house
- Several fixtures backing up at the same time
Blocked pipes stop used water draining away, and that can be messy and smelly. Flooding makes it worse, because dirty water spreads fast. So do not wait to see if it clears.
Signs it can wait
Some problems feel alarming but are safe to book in for a normal visit. A single slow sink is a good example. A smell with no water backing up is another.
These usually can wait for a routine booking:
- One slow-draining sink, bath or shower
- A smell with no backing up
- A gurgle from one drain
- A blocked outside drain with no water near the house
Our warning signs of a blocked drain page also helps you judge how bad it is. A slow drain can turn into a full blockage, so while it may feel minor, do not leave it for months.
What to do first
First, stop adding water to the system, since more water adds to the flood. Do not flush, run taps or use the washing machine. Then keep people and pets away from any dirty water.
Next, move belongings out of the wet area if it is safe to do so. Open a window for air. Wear gloves while you touch anything that got wet.
Take a few photos of the flooding before you clean up. They help if you claim on your insurance, since the insurer will want to see the damage. If water is near sockets or appliances, keep clear of it.
Who to contact
The right call depends on where the problem sits. If sewage-contaminated flooding comes from a public sewer, call the Scottish Water helpline on 0800 0778 778. Its site shows the line as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Scottish Water says it usually attends sewer flooding within 4 hours inside a property and 24 hours outside. However, severe weather can change this. That figure is for Scottish Water only, not for a private engineer.
You should also contact your insurer, since Scottish Water says your insurer is best placed to help after flooding. For flooding from the road itself, contact your local council instead.
Is the blockage inside your own pipes? Then you need a drainage engineer. A problem in a public sewer goes to Scottish Water instead. Our emergency drain services page explains what that involves. For water on the floor, see flooding emergency help.
The request form on this site is open 24/7. Mark your request urgent and say clearly that water is coming into the home. No one can promise an arrival time here, yet you can ask about timing when they reply.
Help by town
Pick your town to see the drain services listed for it:
- Emergency drain help in Glasgow
- Emergency drain help in Motherwell
- Emergency drain help in Cumbernauld
- Blocked drain help in Coatbridge
You can also browse the towns covered or read about all drain services. People in Lanarkshire may prefer drain help in Cumbernauld as a starting point. For less urgent jobs, our blocked drain services page is the better fit.
What to tell the engineer
A clear message saves time. Include the following in your request:
- Where the water is coming up
- Whether it is clean water or sewage
- Which fixtures are affected
- Whether neighbours have the same problem
- When the problem started
Ask whether there is a call-out charge. Ask for a written quote before work starts, since that avoids surprises. If the cause might be the public sewer, the engineer should tell you to call Scottish Water.
Not sure whose pipe it is? Read what Scottish Water covers. A blocked road drain is a different case, so see council or Scottish Water for a blocked road drain.
FAQ
Is a blocked drain an emergency?
Sometimes. Sewage inside the home, flooding, no usable toilet or several blocked fixtures are urgent. One slow sink or a smell alone can usually wait for a normal booking.
Are blocked drains dangerous?
Blocked pipes can be messy and smelly, so keep clear of dirty water. Stop using water in the home until the blockage is cleared.
What should I do if I need help right now?
Mark your request urgent on the form, which is open 24/7. For sewage flooding, also call Scottish Water, since it runs the public sewers. For the next steps, read what to do in a drain emergency.