Blocked Outside Drains
Blocked outside drain or manhole?
Overflowing gullies, full manholes and blocked inspection chambers cleared and jetted.
Overview
Outside drains take everything: kitchen waste, bathroom waste, toilets and rainwater. When the gully by the back door overflows or a manhole lid is sitting on a chamber full of water, the blockage is usually somewhere in the underground run between them.
We lift the covers to find exactly where it's stopped, clear it with rods or high-pressure jetting, and run water through the whole system to prove it's flowing again. Most outside drain blockages are cleared within the hour.
Finding where the blockage is
If one manhole is full and the next one downstream is empty, the blockage is between them. If every chamber on your property is full, it's further down, possibly in the shared drain or public sewer. That matters, because a blockage in a shared sewer is usually the water company's responsibility, not yours.
Jack checks this first and tells you straight if it's not your drain to pay for.
Common causes
- Leaves, moss and silt washed into gullies
- Fat and grease from the kitchen waste
- Wipes and sanitary products from toilets
- Tree roots through cracked joints
- Displaced or collapsed pipework
- Stones and builders' rubble after building work
If it keeps happening
An outside drain that blocks every few months nearly always has a cause in the pipe: a dip where waste settles, a cracked joint with roots, or a lip from a displaced section. A CCTV survey finds it, and many of these can be fixed with a no-dig patch repair instead of digging up the patio.
FAQs
Blocked Outside Drains: common questions
Is the blocked outside drain my responsibility?
If it's within your boundary and only serves your property, usually yes. If it's shared with neighbours or outside your boundary, it's usually the water company's. Jack will tell you which when he looks at it.
My manhole is full but nothing inside is blocked yet. Should I wait?
No. The water is backing up because the run below is blocked, and the next stop is your downstairs toilet or shower. Stop using water and call.
Can you clear a gully full of leaves?
Yes. We clear the gully and jet the pipe behind it, since leaves and silt usually build up further along too.
Customer reviews
What local customers say
“Jack was recommended to us and came out of his way to sort out our blockage on the same day. He was friendly, quick, honest, efficient and knowledgeable and he charged us a very fair, transparent price. 100% recommended.”
“Great service from AllTime Drain, diagnosed the issue quickly, and cleared my drain efficiently. Professional, friendly, and left everything clean and tidy. Highly recommend!”
“Excellent service. Polite and he fully explained the process. First point of call if the drain is blocked again.”
“Jack was respectful, honest, and professional from start to finish.”
Free estimate
Get a free blocked outside drains quote
Leave your details and we'll call you back to talk it through and agree a price. Quicker to talk? Call now.
- No call-out fee
- Price agreed before we set off
- No hidden extras on the day
Blocked right now?
Speak straight to Jack. No call centre, no waiting.
Typically with you in under an hour, 7 days, 6am–9pm. No call-out fee, and your price is agreed on the phone before anyone sets off.