Drainage services

Blocked Drain Services

Blocked sink, toilet, gully or external drain? Pulse Drainage helps identify and clear drainage blockages across London & Hertfordshire.

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Local coverageLondon & Hertfordshire

What to expect

Clear the blockage — then understand why it happened.

A blocked drain can start with slow flow, smells or gurgling and develop into backing-up water or an overflow. The right approach depends on where the blockage is and what is causing it.

Service scope

What we can help with.

Not sure which service you need? Tell us what is happening and we’ll help establish the right next step.

Drain unblocking and clearance

Blocked toilets, sinks and gullies

High-pressure drain jetting where appropriate

CCTV investigation for recurring problems

Advice on the next step if damage is found

Blocked drain guidance

Clear the immediate blockage — then work out why it happened.

A blocked drain is often first noticed through slow water flow, gurgling pipework, unpleasant smells or water beginning to back up. The visible symptom does not always tell you where the restriction is, so the useful first step is to understand which part of the drainage system is affected and how severe the problem has become.

Depending on the cause and condition of the pipework, the right route may involve straightforward drain clearance, high-pressure jetting or further investigation with CCTV. If the same blockage repeatedly returns, simply restoring flow may not be enough; recurring problems can justify a closer look at the drainage system before more work is planned.

Explore CCTV drain surveys →

Useful context

Common problems behind blocked drains

Fat, grease, wipes and other material building up inside pipework

Silt, debris or scale reducing the usable diameter of a drain

A blockage affecting an outside drain, gully, toilet, sink or waste pipe

A recurring restriction that may need CCTV investigation to understand properly

Service questions

Useful things to know.

These answers are general guidance. The right approach depends on the drainage system and what is happening at the property.

What are common signs of a blocked drain?

Slow drainage, bad smells, gurgling sounds and water backing up are common warning signs. An outside drain or gully may also begin holding standing water.

Can a blocked drain be cleared without digging?

Many blockages can be investigated and cleared without excavation. The appropriate method depends on the location, cause and condition of the drainage system.

What if the blockage keeps returning?

A recurring blockage can be a sign that more investigation is needed. CCTV inspection can help establish whether there is persistent build-up, an obstruction or a visible defect inside the pipework.

Do you help with domestic and commercial blockages?

Pulse supports drainage problems for homes, landlords, businesses and managed properties across the service area.

Blocked drain context

A clearer look at common blocked-drain problems.

External drain blockages

Standing water, restricted flow and external drainage points can all be signs that a blockage needs investigating.

Build-up inside pipework

Silt, debris and accumulated material can reduce usable pipe capacity and contribute to recurring drainage problems.

When the cause is not obvious

If the same issue keeps returning, camera-led investigation can help establish what is happening below ground.

Understanding blocked drains

Why drains block, what the symptoms can mean and what usually comes next.

A blocked drain is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. The useful question is not only how to restore flow, but what has caused the restriction, how much of the drainage system is affected and whether the same problem is likely to return.

Common causes

Common reasons drainage becomes blocked

Grease, wipes and everyday waste

Fats, oils, grease, wipes and other material can collect inside pipework and gradually reduce the space available for water to pass. The first warning may be slower drainage, gurgling or smells before the drain becomes fully restricted.

Silt, scale and built-up debris

External drains, gullies and older pipework can collect silt, mineral scale and general debris. A drain may still move some water while the usable diameter is reduced, which is why a problem can appear intermittent before it becomes more obvious.

A restriction further along the route

The drainage point showing the symptom is not always where the blockage sits. A toilet, sink, gully or manhole may back up because the restriction is further downstream, especially when more than one drainage point is affected.

A recurring fault that needs investigation

If a blockage returns soon after clearance, repeated unblocking alone may not explain the cause. CCTV inspection can be useful where there may be persistent build-up, a displaced joint, damage, an obstruction or another issue inside accessible pipework.

Choosing the right method

How the right clearance or investigation route is chosen

The next step should match the symptoms and the drainage system rather than automatically using the strongest method available.

Straightforward clearance

Where the restriction appears localised and accessible, basic drain unblocking or clearance may be enough to restore flow. The important part is checking whether the result makes sense for the pattern of the problem.

High-pressure drain jetting

Jetting can be useful where stubborn grease, silt, scale or debris needs a deeper clean. It is not necessary for every blockage, and suitability depends on access, pipe condition and what is thought to be causing the restriction.

CCTV drain inspection

A camera survey becomes more useful when the cause is unclear, the same blockage keeps returning or there is concern about the condition or route of the pipework. The aim is to support a better decision before more work is planned.

Property context

Different properties can show the same drainage problem in different ways

Homes

A single slow sink may be a local issue, while several affected fixtures can point to a wider restriction.

Landlords

Recurring reports from the same property may justify investigation rather than repeated short-term clearance.

Businesses

Higher usage, grease, waste and limited downtime can make diagnosis and the timing of drainage work more important.

Managed properties

When several occupiers or drainage points are involved, understanding the affected route can make the next step clearer.

Useful questions before choosing the next step.

Can a blocked drain clear itself?

A partial restriction can sometimes appear to improve temporarily, but that does not mean the underlying build-up or obstruction has gone. If drainage repeatedly slows, backs up or smells, it is usually more useful to establish the cause than rely on the symptom disappearing.

When is CCTV worth considering after a blockage?

CCTV is most useful when the same blockage returns, several drainage points are affected, the cause is uncertain or there is a reason to understand pipe condition before further work. It is an investigation tool rather than a default requirement for every simple blockage.

Simple process

From problem to next step.

Urgent drainage users should not need to fight through a long form before getting help.

Tell us what’s happening

Call Pulse or use the enquiry option below with the problem and property location.

We assess the issue

We establish the most appropriate drainage service and next action.

Move forward clearly

You get a clear route for the job, investigation or follow-up work.

Need drainage help?

Speak to Pulse Drainage.

For urgent issues, calling is the fastest route. For planned work, use the enquiry option below with the issue and location.