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Reading sits where the River Kennet meets the Thames. Because water runs through the town in several channels, the ground stays damp in many places. This makes underground drain work harder than it looks.
The Kennet runs through the town centre, while the Thames curves round the north side near Caversham. The Holy Brook, a channel cut from the Kennet in medieval times, runs under parts of the shopping area. As a result, ground water is high around Kings Meadow and along the Kennet, so any dig there needs care.
Most of Reading rests on Thames gravel over London Clay. While gravel drains freely, it can shift and put stress on pipe joints. Clay holds water, so a pipe can pass from dry gravel into wet clay within a few metres. That change in the ground cracks joints and leaves low spots in the pipe.
The Victorian streets of Newtown, Katesgrove and West Reading have clay drains that are well over a century old. Because many terraces share a rear drain that runs through narrow back gardens and alleys, a blockage in one house can reach the neighbours. Access is tight, which is why we plan each job with care.
Around the University of Reading and Whiteknights, large buildings and mature trees mean long pipe runs. Roots find small cracks in the joints, and then they grow into the pipe. Because the nearby streets in Earley and Lower Earley mix inter-war semis with post-war homes, the drains vary in age.
Thames Water looks after the public sewers in Reading. Many of them are combined sewers, which carry foul water and rain water in the same pipe. Therefore heavy rain can overload them, especially in low areas such as Kings Meadow and the Kennet corridor.
While you may not see it, we work on Victorian clay pipes in Newtown and Katesgrove, wet ground near the Kennet, and root problems in the leafy streets around the university. Whether you live in a terrace in West Reading, a 1930s semi in Tilehurst, a flat at Kings Meadow or a modern block at Reading Green Park, we can help.
One fixture blocking is usually simple. Several blocking together tells a very different story. Here's how to read the signs before calling anyone out.
Flood RiskWhen the Thames and Kennet run high, Reading's combined sewers can struggle to keep up. Here's what that means for your drains — and what actually helps.
Drain RepairsRecurring blockages in the same spot are rarely bad luck — in Reading's tree-lined streets, they're often roots. Here's what's really happening underground.
Reading's Victorian streets have clay drains that are well over 120 years old. Because they were laid before modern bathrooms, washing machines and dishwashers, the joints have worn over time. Shifting gravel adds stress, which lets roots and ground water into the pipe. Many terraces also share a rear drain, so one fault can affect the whole row.
Reading sits on Thames gravel over London Clay, with chalk near the northern suburbs. Gravel is easy to dig, although it can hold a lot of water close to the rivers. Clay does not let water through, so the ground stays wet in many areas. In the town centre we may need to pump water out of a trench, which can change the cost of a dig.
Reading has combined sewers, which carry foul water and rain water in the same pipe, and Thames Water manages them. In heavy rain they can fill up and push water back into homes, especially in low areas near Kings Meadow and the Kennet. Keep gutters and downpipes clear, and think about a non-return valve if your ground floor is at risk. Report repeat flooding to Thames Water, because that helps them spot network faults.
Yes, because Victorian terraces in Newtown, Katesgrove and West Reading often share a rear drain. A blockage in one house can then back up into the neighbours above and below it. Narrow gardens and tight access make repairs harder. Regular checks, a word with your neighbours, and a CCTV survey help you catch problems early.
These guides explain the basics, because knowing the cause helps you pick the right fix.