Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are My Drains Blocked?
Blocked drains can be caused by several things, such as a grease build up, bits of building material from an old manhole, or tree roots ingress. One of the most common causes is hair and fibrous materials that have been flushed down your toilet.
Very often drain blockages are the result of something less significant like food particles. No matter how your drain became blocked, we can unblock it for you. We have the tools and knowledge to clear any blockage in your pipes with our quick and effective drainage services.
How do I prevent my drains getting blocked?
There are some simple ways to prevent your drains getting blocked. Try installing a waste strainer on your sinks and shower, scraping off plates and pans before washing them in the sink. Don’t pour oil down the drain instead pour it into a container and throw it away in the bin otherwise the oil and grease can congeal and block the drains.
Can I Unblock My Own Drains?
Many people do, if you have the right tools but don’t make the problem worse than it is. You can’t really do much harm trying a plunger on a blocked sink or toilet. If you’ve bought a set of twenty quid rods from the internet, put them in the bin not the drain. Weve recovered loads of them broken and detached from drains, this can cost more than clearing the blockage.
Do you have a blocked drain, and don’t know who to call? It might be hard to find the right company for your needs or budget. The good news is that there are many different methods for unblocking drains – some of which you may already have in your home but we advise hiring an expert to avoid making the blockage worse or causing a flood!
What should I do if my drains are blocked?
If you believe your private drains are blocked and you are the owner of the property, then you are liable to clear the blockage. If you are renting a property via a landlord contact them first as they may be liable for the cost if the issue is not caused by you. You could save on costs by having a go yourself if you have the tools, just don’t make it worse
Do you have a blocked drain, and don’t know who to call?
The internet is awash with drain companies most advertising a 24 hour service, many offering a twenty or thirty quid fix. The vast majority of drainage workers are in bed at night not out in the van, there is little chance of the late night call, if you are offered an out of hours call to unblock a drain look at the charges, preferably whilst seated.
We operate between 5am and 10pm 7 days a week, we don’t offer a 24 hour service.
Should I get a CCTV survey?
You may be considering having a CCTV drain survey and thinking it is too expensive or not necessary. A CCTV drain survey can help determine if your drains are blocked or damaged and can provide an estimate of the cost to unblock or repair them.
Drain surveys enable a drain company to identify and document the type, depth and location of any defects in the system such as cracked pipes, displaced joints and root ingress. If the survey is being carried out as a pre-purchase investigation and faults are found, the information provided can help with a price renegotiation.
How do I know if my drains are blocked?
Usually there will be very noticeable internal symptoms, toilets overflowing, basins and sinks not draining or slow to drain, or possibly a foul smell in part or throughout the building. A less noticeable sign is a gurgling sound caused by air trapped in the system.
External symptoms would include overflowing manholes, gullies and ponding water.
How Do Toilets Get Blocked?
If your toilet isn’t flushing properly or is making gurgling noises it could be blocked due to the use of wet wipes or too much paper which hasn’t broken down, or the flushing of cotton buds. The actual blockage may be in the toilet or could be further along the system.
It is never a pleasant experience when you have to deal with a blocked toilet but you could just try a plunger The problem may be due to what’s been flushed or could be due to a bigger problem such as roots or a collapsed pipe. If the plunger doesn’t work your best bet is phone John Baker Drains on 07768 297435.
What Is Drain Jetting?
Drain Jetting is a process of removing blockages from drains by using high-pressure water. The term Drain Jetting has been around for over 30 years, its quicker and more thorough than traditional rodding. A nozzle is carried down the blocked pipe by water under pressure, when it reaches the blockage, it is obliterated restoring flow to the system.
Drain jetting is sometimes carried out periodically to keep systems clean and avoid any major blockages, particularly with older and some commercial systems.
This specialist method which requires expensive equipment ensures that the blockage is broken up rather than pushed further down the line.
Do you clear drains at the weekend?
Yes, we operate 7 days a week to deal with emergency blocked drains, between the hours of 5am and 10pm including bank holidays.
Would it be cheaper to buy a chemical drain unblocker?
Its certainly cheaper than calling in a drain company, the question is will it do the job. Chemical drain cleaners have their uses such as they might clear a blockage in a sink or basin waste.
If you have a blockage in the 4 inch pipework or manholes, a chemical drain cleaner isn’t going to do the job.
A drain company has offered to come out to us for £25 can you match their price?
In a word no. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is, ask them for the details, how long will they spend on site for £25? Is that price for the first half hour? I promise you there are very few drains cleared in half hour.
What equipment use is included in the price? Is the price for handheld equipment only? Then ask for a price for jetting or in case its necessary tracing and CCTV.
It’s most unlikely that any drainage company will clear your blockage for £25.00.
I have rats getting into the house can you help?
Most problems with rats entering houses are caused by defective drainage systems. If the pest control company haven’t been able to control the problem its worth having a CCTV survey.
Rats can enter buildings through redundant drains that haven’t been capped off properly, or via displaced joints and badly cracked pipes. Once they get into the cavity they can travel pretty much anywhere. We can carry out a CCTV drain survey to identify defects which would allow rats out of the drains and into your house. Our report will list any defects, with recommendations for drain repairs to prevent rats getting into your property.