Blocked sinks, toilets and internal drains

What you might notice

One sink drains slowly

The issue may be in the trap or the nearby waste branch. Tell us if the water clears eventually or stays in the sink.

Two fittings affect each other

A basin gurgling when an appliance drains, or water appearing in a shower when a toilet is flushed, can point to a shared branch.

A toilet backs up

Stop flushing if water is rising. Tell us whether other outlets are affected and whether there has been an overflow.

Dirty water comes back when a washing machine empties

A sink and appliance may share part of the waste pipe. Tell us where water comes back up and which appliances were running.

There is a bad smell without a visible blockage

A trap that has dried out, a poor waste connection or a partial blockage can smell similar. Tell us if the fitting has been unused or if the smell changes when another outlet drains.

Which fitting is affected?

Kitchen sink or utility waste

We start with the trap and accessible waste pipe. Knowing whether one or both bowls drain slowly helps narrow down where the restriction may be.

Bath or shower drains slowly

We check the accessible waste and trap. A shower that leaks through the ceiling only while draining may need a waste repair as well as, or instead of, clearing.

Several outlets or an outside gully back up

Tell us whether neighbours are affected or an outside gully is overflowing. A shared or public sewer may need the wastewater company, and the symptoms can help decide whom to contact.

What we can do

We check the affected outlets and accessible waste pipework, discuss the clearance or repair and check flow afterwards. A shared or external drainage fault may need the responsible party or a specialist. Clearance addresses the blockage present at the time.

Before you get in touch

Tell us which fixtures are affected, when the problem started and whether drain chemicals have already been used. Avoid adding more chemicals while you wait.