External drains carry waste and rainwater away from the building. They include gullies, manholes, inspection chambers and the pipes below ground. Leaves, silt, grit and roots collect in them over time, because nothing clears them.
Problems often go unnoticed because the pipes are underground. Warning signs are water pooling near a cover, a full manhole or a foul smell outside. Indoor fixtures may slow down too, since they share the same run.
Check who owns the pipe before you call. Your private drain runs from your home to your property boundary, and the homeowner is responsible for it. Where a drain leaves your boundary, or joins drains from another property's separate curtilage, it becomes a public sewer that Scottish Water runs.
Road gullies are a council job, because councils are responsible for the drainage of local roads and public highways. Report a blocked road gully to your local council.
The engineer opens the manholes, chambers and gullies to see where the water stops. This shows where the blockage sits, because clear sections stay empty.
A jetter feeds high-pressure water along the blocked section. It breaks up the plug, while it washes the pipe wall on the way.
A camera can follow the cleared pipe to show whether roots, cracks or displaced joints remain. Ask whether this is worth doing for your drain, since not every job needs it.
The engineer puts the covers back and tidies the area. Ask what they found, and whether any repair or upkeep would help, since a clear pipe can still be weak.
Prices vary because the length of pipe and the type of blockage differ. Tree roots and packed debris take more work than a gully full of leaves.
Ask for a written quote before work starts, since outdoor jobs can change once the cover is off. Ask whether there is a call-out charge, and ask whether a camera check is included or extra.
Your private drain runs from your home to your property boundary, and the homeowner is responsible for it. Scottish Water runs the public sewer network, while you look after your own pipe. If you rent, ask your landlord first.
Yes. Roots can enter pipe joints and cracks, then grow inside the pipe until water cannot pass. A camera survey can show whether roots are the cause, because they are easy to see on video.
There is no fixed rule. Clear a drain when signs appear, and keep leaves away from the gully. If blockages keep coming back, ask about a camera survey, because it can find the cause.