Emergency Drain Problems: What to Do Before the Engineer Arrives

A drain emergency can strike at any hour, often at the worst moment. It might be sewage coming back into your home, a blocked drain that causes flooding, or a collapsed pipe. What you do in the first few minutes can cut the damage a great deal.

Recognising a Drain Emergency

Not every drain problem is an emergency, but some need action at once. Treat it as urgent if you see any of these, because delay makes each one worse:

• Sewage backing up into your property
• Water flooding from drains
• Several drains blocked at the same time
• A strong sewage smell inside your home
• Visible sewage in your garden or driveway

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Stop Using Water

As soon as you spot a serious problem, stop using water in the property. Do not flush toilets, run taps or showers, or use the washing machine or dishwasher. Every extra litre goes into the same blocked pipe, so it makes the problem worse.

2. Protect Your Property

If water or sewage is coming into your home, move furniture and valuables away from it. Roll up rugs and carpets if you can, since sewage water stains and soaks in. Use towels to hold the water back, and open a window, because sewage gases can harm you.

3. Turn Off the Water Supply

If clean water keeps running and you cannot stop it, find your stopcock and turn it off. A stopcock is the main valve for your water supply, and it often sits under the kitchen sink or near the front door. Turning it off stops fresh water adding to the flood.

4. Avoid Contaminated Areas

Sewage carries bacteria that can make you ill, so keep children and pets away from the area. If you must go in, wear rubber boots and gloves, and do not touch your face. Wash well afterwards, and do not eat or drink there, because germs spread easily.

5. Document the Damage

Once you have limited the damage, take photos and video of the affected areas. Note the time the problem started, and record any damage to your belongings, since you may need it later. Your insurer may ask for this, so keep it safe.

What NOT to Do

Don't Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemicals will not help in an emergency, and they may make things worse. These products suit minor blockages, not major faults. They can also burn skin, so they add a risk while water is already rising.

Don't Try to Clear the Main Sewer Yourself

The main sewer runs under your property and joins the public sewer. Clearing it yourself is dangerous, and you may need permission to work on it. Leave it to an engineer who has the right equipment, because the job carries real risk.

Don't Ignore the Problem

Some people hope a drain problem will fix itself. It will not, and waiting lets more damage occur, since the water keeps rising. Repair costs usually grow the longer you leave it.

While Waiting for Help

Once you have asked for help, there are a few more things you can do:

• Clear access to manholes and inspection chambers
• Note where water is entering or backing up
• Check whether neighbours have the same problem, because that can point to a shared sewer
• Keep your phone charged in case the engineer needs to reach you

Requesting Emergency Help

When you contact Reading Emergency Plumber through our online form, we will ask for your address and postcode. We also ask what symptoms you can see, when the problem started and whether it affects more than one property. Your contact details let us call you back, so please check them.

Since time matters, we prioritise urgent jobs for emergency callouts across Reading and the surrounding areas. Our emergency drain services team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether you face a flooding emergency or a sewage emergency, our engineers carry CCTV cameras and high-pressure jetting equipment. That helps us find and fix the cause on the same visit where we can, because we can see inside the pipe. If you have a drain emergency, request urgent help online.