Common blocked drains problems
- ✓ Fat, grease and food scraps
- ✓ Wet wipes and other flushed items
- ✓ Hair and soap in bath and basin pipes
- ✓ Debris in outside gullies and pipes
- ✓ Ageing pipes in older homes
Blocked Drains in Colchester
A blocked drain stops waste water leaving your home. Water then backs up in the sink, bath or toilet because it has nowhere to go. A plumber finds where the blockage sits before choosing a clearing method, since the right tool depends on the cause.
People often call Colchester Britain's oldest recorded town. Camulodunum was the first capital of Roman Britain. Work underground in the historic centre can therefore meet old remains. Anglian Water is the sewerage company here.
How blocked drains works in Colchester
- 1
Describe the problem
- 2
Locate the blockage
- 3
Clear the pipe
- 4
Check the flow
What to look for and what to do
Slow draining is the usual first warning. Gurgling pipes, bad smells and water that rises in a second fixture tend to follow. If only one sink is slow, the blockage is probably in that branch. However, if several fixtures struggle at once, the fault is likely in the main run.
Fat from busy kitchens is a common cause, and wet wipes cause trouble everywhere. If neighbours on your street have the same problem, the blockage may sit in the public sewer. Since 1 October 2011, drains that serve only your home inside its boundary remain yours, while most shared drains belong to Anglian Water.
Local drainage in Colchester
Homes in a town this old vary a great deal in age. Older homes may have clay or cast iron drains, while newer ones often have plastic. Each material needs its own care, so the best method can change from street to street. We cover areas such as the Dutch Quarter, Greenstead, Shrub End, the Garrison and Severalls.
For the method in full, read our guide to blocked drains. Wider background sits on the Colchester drainage page, while other pages cover the towns around it. You may also want drain unblocking in Colchester.
Blocked Drains in Colchester: FAQs
How can I tell where a drain blockage is?
Check whether neighbours on your street have the same problem, because that points to the public sewer. If only your home has trouble, the fault sits in your own pipes, such as an old clay run.
Can heavy rain overload drains in Colchester?
Heavy rain can overload drains in any town. Some older drains carry foul and surface water together, so they can struggle in a storm. If sinks or gullies back up only in wet weather, tell us, because that pattern helps the plumber find the cause.