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Drain Smell Diagnostics

Smelly drains can be signs that you have a damaged or clogged drain. If you drains are emitting nasty odours, acting now could help prevent further damage and get your home or business feeling fresh in no time.

Find the source of your drain smell with our professional smoke tests. These include a full smoke test of your affected drains, an hour on site to diagnose the issues, and no hidden surprises.

A Cotswold Drainage van ready to fix some blocked drains

Why choose us to diagnose and fix your smelly drains?

With over 25 years in the industry, our professional team have all the skills and tools needed to route out and fix any drain smells

Our team use a combination of smoke machines and specialist CCTV systems to identify the cause of your smelly drain. These are usually caused by blocked or damaged drains and we can provide you with options to get these fixed and sorted, often there and then.


Get in touch

Contact our friendly and professional team via form, phone or email for any drainage issues you may have.

From blocked drains to septic tank repairs and replacements, we're here to help. We have over 25 years of experience and offer 24/7 emergency callouts.


Fast ! Great knowledge and speedy result !
- Jane Woolliscroft
This company carried out some rather difficult works inside a treatment plant for me. There was a longer delay than I expected for the parts but they kept me informed at all times. They carried out the work exactly as planned and on time as they agreed, to the exact price quoted. It was terrible weather and the two men working on site still got the job done and were positive and hard working all the way through. I am impressed with Cotswold Drainage and will continue to use them in the future. They are friendly, realistic, not the cheapest quote I'd had, but certainly honest and knowledgeable people. I don't mind paying slightly more for that level of service. It was stress free and good value in the long run. So when you look at multiple quotes, I'd say consider them above others due to their knowledge, honesty and workmanship.
- John M
- Rob Pateman
Cotswold Drainage Ltd came out on a Saturday and spent a long time trying to clear a stubborn drain blockage. They then returned early the following week and managed to fix what could have turned into a huge, stressful job — especially impressive as two other companies had been unable to resolve it. The 6-month guarantee is a great reassurance, and the team were friendly, accommodating and genuinely made me feel like nothing was too much trouble. They will absolutely be my go-to company from now on. Highly recommended.
- lin bill
They provided me with a prompt and efficient service when a drain at the back of my house was blocked. The two people I spoke with on the phone and in person were reassuring and helpful. Would recommend.
- Chris Sharp
Reliable, professional and trustworthy. Adrian resolved the issue of a blocked drainage system, identifying the problem and taking the appropriate action to resolve it, leaving the drain free running and all blockages removed.
- Andy Bassett
We recently had some work done to our pump chamber which was in need of some significant upgrade. Cotswold Drainage did a great job. Their engineers were professional, knowledgeable and kept us updated on progress. The office staff were great too. Very responsive to sending out the quote and planning the work. Overall workmanship and price was spot on. Will be using them again for the annual service. Well done and thank you.
- Lak Jaspal
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    Our drain smell services

    Once the source of the smell is identified, we have a range of professional services to fix the root cause of the issue.

    Have an emergency? Or looking for a maintenance or quote?

    What causes drain smells?

    The decay of organic material within your drainage system is a frequent cause of bad odours. Whether it's food scraps in the kitchen, hair and soap in the bathroom, or leaves and debris in outdoor drains, organic material breaking down will always produce a foul smell.

    Faulty traps and pipes can also cause drain smells to permeate through your home or commercial building. These are supposed to hold water to block sewer gases. When they fail or dry out, these gases escape and spread a bad smell throughout your home or workplace.

    Drain unblocking process

    When drain odours become too challenging to handle on your own, it's time to call in expert drain specialists like us. We come armed with advanced tools designed for accurate smell diagnostics, ensuring they pinpoint the root cause quickly and effectively.

    Our primary diagnostic tool is the smoke test. We use specialist equipment to introduce non-toxic smoke into the drainage system to identify leaks. If there's a faulty pipe or a broken trap allowing bad smells to escape, the smoke will reveal its exact location.

    If we suspect further or hidden damage to your drain, we can also run a CCTV drain survey. By inserting a small camera into your pipes, we can get a clear view of the internal workings. This method allows us to identify blockages, waste build-up, and structural issues without any guesswork.

    Drain unblocking process

    We have an amazing team to help get your drains up and running smoothly.

    Our friendly, reliable, and expert team will always be on hand to provide you with the necessary drainage solutions. Working hard to get the job done as quickly as possible with the utmost efficiency and care, so that your life can get back to normal. There is nothing more important to us than keeping you in the loop, our engineers will keep you updated sending you reminders, and checking our visit will still be convenient to your needs.

    Cotswold Drainage Engineer

    Preventing future drain smells

    Preventing drain smells from returning is an ongoing process that requires regular maintenance. Keeping your drains clear and clean will help maintain an odour-free home and prevent any unpleasant surprises.

    One of the simplest steps is to avoid dumping grease and food particles down the sink. These materials tend to stick to the pipes and create blockages, leading to bad odours. Dispose of kitchen waste properly and use a drain strainer to catch food particles.

    Regular professional services help maintain a fresh-smelling home by preventing persistent or recurring issues. Scheduled drain cleaning can remove any potential problems before they worsen, keeping your drains clean and odour-free.

    Unblocking a drain

    Why choose Cotswold Drainage?

    As a leading drain cleaning company, Cotswold Drainage has more than 25 years of experience, is CHAS-approved for health and safety, and is a member of Constructionline. You can rely on us to maintain and clean your drainage system in emergency situations and across commercial and domestic properties with the least amount of disruption possible. We make use of the most cutting-edge technology and can schedule follow-up visits both during and after your 6-month warranty.

    Why choose Cotswold Drainage for blocked drains?

    What we offer

    Here at Cotswold Drainage, our team have over 25 years’ experience and the expertise guaranteed to sort your problem quickly with minimum of fuss, leaving you more than satisfied.

    We offer a 6-month warranty, along with a free drain camera health check and a guarantee that you will receive follow-ups during and after your 6-month warranty.

    We operate a large fleet of vehicles, equipped with specialist equipment for any situation, including our high-power jetting system for removing blockages & cleaning, and also CCTV for on-site surveying of the problem or damaged drainage systems.

    Don’t just take our word for it, read our incredible reviews left by our valued customers

    Fast ! Great knowledge and speedy result !
    - Jane Woolliscroft
    This company carried out some rather difficult works inside a treatment plant for me. There was a longer delay than I expected for the parts but they kept me informed at all times. They carried out the work exactly as planned and on time as they agreed, to the exact price quoted. It was terrible weather and the two men working on site still got the job done and were positive and hard working all the way through. I am impressed with Cotswold Drainage and will continue to use them in the future. They are friendly, realistic, not the cheapest quote I'd had, but certainly honest and knowledgeable people. I don't mind paying slightly more for that level of service. It was stress free and good value in the long run. So when you look at multiple quotes, I'd say consider them above others due to their knowledge, honesty and workmanship.
    - John M
    - Rob Pateman
    Cotswold Drainage Ltd came out on a Saturday and spent a long time trying to clear a stubborn drain blockage. They then returned early the following week and managed to fix what could have turned into a huge, stressful job — especially impressive as two other companies had been unable to resolve it. The 6-month guarantee is a great reassurance, and the team were friendly, accommodating and genuinely made me feel like nothing was too much trouble. They will absolutely be my go-to company from now on. Highly recommended.
    - lin bill
    They provided me with a prompt and efficient service when a drain at the back of my house was blocked. The two people I spoke with on the phone and in person were reassuring and helpful. Would recommend.
    - Chris Sharp
    Reliable, professional and trustworthy. Adrian resolved the issue of a blocked drainage system, identifying the problem and taking the appropriate action to resolve it, leaving the drain free running and all blockages removed.
    - Andy Bassett
    We recently had some work done to our pump chamber which was in need of some significant upgrade. Cotswold Drainage did a great job. Their engineers were professional, knowledgeable and kept us updated on progress. The office staff were great too. Very responsive to sending out the quote and planning the work. Overall workmanship and price was spot on. Will be using them again for the annual service. Well done and thank you.
    - Lak Jaspal
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