What causes most blocked drains?
Kitchen drains block from fat and grease cooling and solidifying. Bathroom drains block from hair and soap. Outside drains block from leaves, silt and sometimes root ingress. Wet wipes are a frequent culprit in toilets regardless of what the packet claims.
Are chemical drain cleaners a good idea?
Used sparingly on a minor blockage, they can help. Used repeatedly they damage older pipework and simply mask a recurring problem. If you're reaching for them regularly, something structural needs investigating.
How quickly can you clear a blockage?
Most blockages are cleared within the visit. We also look at why it happened — a recurring pattern, a collapsed section or root ingress — so you're not calling us back for the same thing every few months.
Who is responsible for the drain outside my property?
Broadly, private pipework within your boundary is yours, while shared sewers are typically Scottish Water's responsibility. The boundary isn't always obvious, so it's worth establishing before work starts. We'll tell you if we think it falls to them.
Why does my drain smell even when it's flowing?
Usually a dried-out or damaged trap letting sewer gas back into the property, or a build-up coating the inside of the pipe. Both are fixable and neither needs you to live with the smell.
Can a blocked drain damage my property?
Left long enough, yes — overflow, damp, and in severe cases water getting into the structure. A slow-draining sink is a warning worth acting on rather than an inconvenience to tolerate.
Do you unblock outside drains and gullies?
Yes, indoor and outdoor. Gullies, external drains and downpipe connections are all common call-outs, particularly after autumn leaf fall.
My toilet is blocked — can I fix it myself?
A plunger clears many simple blockages. If the water rises to the rim, or plunging doesn't shift it, stop before you cause an overflow and call us — repeated forcing can push the obstruction somewhere harder to reach.
How can I prevent blockages?
Never pour fat or oil down the sink — let it solidify and bin it. Use a hair catcher in the shower. Keep wipes out of the toilet entirely. Clear leaves from outside gullies before winter.
Do you repair damaged drains as well as clearing them?
Yes. Clearing a blockage caused by a cracked or collapsed section only buys time. Where the pipe itself is the problem we'll explain what's needed and quote for a durable repair.
