A blocked drain stops used water from draining away. The first signs are slow sinks, gurgling pipes and bad smells. A small blockage in one trap is a simple job, but a blockage in a shared pipe can slow several fixtures at once.
Wipes, fat and hair build up over time, so the cause is often simple. Scottish Water's teams attend over 36,000 blockages in its drains and sewers each year. It says 80% of these blockages come from flushing the wrong items, or from pouring fat, oil and grease down the sink. Bin all wipes, even ones sold as flushable.
Pick the closest match below, then send a request. You can send details at any hour, because the request form takes requests 24/7. Describe what is happening in the notes box, and say if water is backing up.
A drainage engineer usually starts by checking which fixtures are slow. That shows whether the problem is one trap or a shared pipe, because a shared pipe slows them all.
The method depends on the cause. A plunger or hand rods can shift a soft blockage, while a powered snake or a jetter suits a heavier one.
After the clearance, ask the engineer to confirm that water drains freely. Also ask what caused the blockage, because that tells you how to stop it coming back.
Your private drain runs from your home to your property boundary, and the homeowner is responsible for it. Scottish Water runs and maintains the public sewer network, while you look after your own pipe. If you rent, Scottish Water suggests a licensed plumber, or your landlord or the council.
In a block of flats, the common drains inside the same curtilage stay private. Road gullies are different, because councils are responsible for the drainage of local roads. Report a blocked road gully to your local council.
Help with a toilet that will not flush or drains slowly. Learn what to try first, because some blockages need an engineer.
Help with kitchen and bathroom sinks that drain slowly. Learn what causes the blockage, since that shows how to stop it returning.
Help with baths, showers and wet rooms that hold standing water. Hair and soap scum are the usual cause, because they form a plug.
It depends on the cause and how easy the drain is to reach. A simple sink blockage can be quick, while a blockage deep in a pipe takes longer. Ask the engineer for an estimate once they have seen the drain.
Scottish Water's teams attend over 36,000 blockages in its drains and sewers each year. It says 80% of these blockages come from flushing the wrong items or pouring fat, oil and grease down the sink. Hair, food waste, tree roots and objects can also block a drain. A CCTV check can show the exact cause.
Engineers choose a method to suit the pipe. Old or cracked pipes need extra care, so share what you know about their age and any past repairs. Ask the engineer which method they plan to use and why.
That depends on the engineer who takes your job. Ask whether there is a call-out charge before they visit. Then ask for the quote in writing, so you can compare it with others.
This website cannot promise an arrival time, because it depends on the engineer and how busy they are. Mark your request urgent and say if water or sewage is coming into your home. You can then ask the engineer for a time when they get in touch.
Yes, the request form is open 24/7 for Glasgow and surrounding areas. That describes the form only, not when someone will attend. Mark an urgent job as urgent in the job details.
Catching a blocked drain early can spare you a messy clean-up, since the signs build up over weeks. Here are seven to watch for.
Drain MaintenanceFat, oil and grease block many sinks because they thicken as they cool. Learn the simple daily habits that keep a kitchen drain clear.