Local Blocked Drains Specialists

To clear blocked outside drains, it ultimately depends on where the blockage is located and what caused it. The way to go about unblocking your drains will depend on whether you are dealing with an indoor drain or an outdoor drain.

Rather than purchasing your own expensive equipment, which you will only need to use a few times a year, we recommend contacting a drain specialist like Cotswold Drainage to do the job for you. They have all the necessary equipment at hand and also have the knowledge and expertise to rid you of your blockages for good, without you having to take on any unnecessary health and safety risks.

Outdoor drains help to channel rainwater away from your property. However, they can easily become blocked as a result of leaves, dirt and debris accumulating on top of them. When this happens, it is essential to clear your drains as soon as possible to prevent potentially serious damage to your property and ensure adequate drainage.

Discover how to clean your blocked drains by checking out our detailed guide, '10 quick tips for cleaning blocked drains'.

While some property owners may attempt to clear their drains themselves, it is usually best to hire a professional. Professional drain unblocking companies like Cotswold Drainage have the expertise and experience required to deal with all types of drainage problems, including outdoor drain blockages.

The best way to deal with a blocked drain is to take prompt action to prevent further damage and potential health hazards. If you notice slow-draining water or foul smells, don’t ignore the problem! 

If the blockage persists, consider hiring a professional drain cleaning company with the expertise and equipment required to clear the blockage both safely and effectively.

Preventing blocked drains is key to maintaining a healthy and functioning plumbing system. A good way to prevent indoor drain blockages is to use drain screens or drain stoppers on top of your plugholes. They serve to catch any hair or scraps of food before they can make their way down your drains.

Discover some of the key blocked drains wanring signs you should look out by reading our complete, 'Warning Signs of a Blocked Drain' guide. 

Both indoor and outdoor drains can become blocked easily without adequate care and maintenance. Luckily, the most common causes are also easy to combat and keep at bay with a little common sense.

Discover the main causes of blocked drains by reading our guide 'Drain Blockage: Ten Common Causes of Blocked Drains'.

Blocked drains can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms; making identifying the warning signs of a blocked drain quickly so important.

Check out our guide 'Warning Signs of a Blocked Outside Drain' to uncover some of the key warning signs you should look out for from your domestic drain systems

If you have a blocked drain, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage and potential health hazards.

There are several steps you can take to clear the blockage. Discover what these steps are by checking out our detailed article, 'Blocked Drains Cleaning Tips'. 

The amount you will pay to unblock your drains depends on several factors, including the severity of the blockage and what caused it. For instance, if we come out to unblock your outdoor drains and notice that you also have cracked drainpipes, which caused the problem in the first place, we will have to carry out more work than clearing a less complex blockage.

The cost of unblocking your drains also depends on how urgent the issue is. Immediate help might cost more than maintenance appointments scheduled in advance. Luckily, Cotswold Drainage offers all of its drain unblocking services at a competitive price, including our urgent, 24-hour callouts.

If the cost of getting your drains unblocked is putting you off, remember that dealing with the problem properly now will always be cheaper than putting it off and dealing with more serious consequences in the long run.

Homeowners and business owners are typically responsible for maintaining the drains and plumbing within their property boundaries. This includes sinks, toilets and showers within the home, as well as outdoor pipes and drainage systems within their property limits.

Meanwhile, local councils are responsible for maintaining public drains and sewerage systems, including those located on the street directly outside your property. Utility companies may also be responsible for maintaining any drains and sewer systems connected to their water-supply or sewage-treatment plants.

If you’re not sure who is responsible for fixing a blocked drain, it’s always best to consult a licensed plumber or contact your local council or utility company for guidance. It’s important to address blocked drains quickly to prevent further damage and potential health hazards.

Leaves are a common cause of outdoor drain blockages, especially during the autumn months. Nevertheless, there are several simple steps you can take to prevent leaves from blocking your outdoor drains.

1. Clean your gutters regularly. If your gutters become clogged with leaves or debris, the water they collect can overflow and pool around your property foundations, potentially resulting in serious damage. Cleaning your gutters regularly can help to prevent this from happening.
2. Install gutter guards. Typically made of mesh, gutter guards can be placed over your outdoor gutters to prevent leaves and debris from getting into them in the first place. Water can still flow through the gaps allowing your drains to function as intended, but leaves, twigs and other debris won’t be able to cause any issues.
3. Do some gardening. Regularly raking the leaves in the garden reduces the likelihood of them ending up in your gutters. Trimming any trees or shrubs growing close to your property can also help to prevent root ingress in drains as well as leaves, twigs and branches from dropping into your drains.
4. Install leaf catchers: Leaf catchers are mesh-like screens or baskets that fit over the top of your downspouts and other drains. They catch any leaves and debris before they can enter your drain to cause a blockage.
5. Call in the professionals: Even the most conscientious property owners will struggle to keep nature at bay. Leaves and debris will still inevitably make their way into your drains at some point but calling in the professionals and taking advantage of their expert drain clearing service can help to prevent this minor issue from becoming a serious problem.

Worried about leaves in your guttering or drains? At Cotswold Drainage, all of our teams are equipped with a high-power jetwash system to clear any blockages thoroughly, with an almost immediate effect.

There are several reasons why your outside drain may keep blocking. The most common cause is the accumulation of debris, like leaves, twigs and dirt. The good news is that this is also incredibly easy to remove, either by hand or using a high-powered jet system.

Nevertheless, if a poorly designed drainage system is the cause, you may need to call in the professionals. Repositioning your drains can help to ensure that water is draining properly, as can diagnosing and treating any root ingress problems.

If your outdoor pipes have suffered any structural damage, either caused by age, the weather or other external factors, this can also lead to frequent blockages. In such cases, it’s best to consult a licensed drain-unblocking company like Cotswold Drainage to deal with the root cause of the problem.

The homeowner is responsible for unblocking any drains within your property boundary such as, beneath your house, garden, and driveway. These are classed as private drains. Any drains which do not share pipes with your neighbours are your responsibility to unblock.

The telltale signs of a blocked drain are :

• Gurgling sink
• Backing up in the toilet
• Overflowing manhole

If you notice any of these things then give us a call and we'll be able to assist.

If you’re not sure if the blockage is on your property then there are a couple of things you can do. The first is to check a neighbouring manhole to see if this is full. If it is, then there’s a very high chance that the blockage is the responsibility of the local water authority.

If this is the case then give them a call and they will come deal with the blockage free of charge. If you’re still unsure then simply give us a call on 01386 882324 and we can assist.