Guide
Emergency Blocked Drain — What To Do
If water or waste is actively backing up, a few simple steps can limit the mess and the risk while help is on the way.
Do this first
- Stop using water anywhere connected to the affected drain — taps, toilets, washing machine, dishwasher
- Keep children and pets away from any standing water, which may contain sewage
- Move anything valuable away from the area if water is spreading across a floor or driveway
- Call for an emergency call-out and describe what's happening clearly
Avoid doing this
- Don't lift a manhole or drain cover yourself — covers can be heavy and the area around them unstable
- Don't pour anything down the drain to try to clear it, including chemical unblockers, while it's already overflowing
- Don't keep flushing the toilet or running taps hoping it will clear on its own
What counts as a genuine emergency
A scheduled, non-urgent visit is usually fine for a slow-draining sink. An emergency is when the situation is actively getting worse — sewage coming back into the house, a toilet that won't stop overflowing, or a gully flooding a driveway or garden and showing no sign of easing.
What happens when help arrives
The immediate cause is identified and cleared to stop the overflow, and the area is left safe. If the underlying issue needs further work — a survey or a repair — that's explained clearly and quoted separately, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
If you're unsure whether your situation counts as an emergency, call anyway and describe what you're seeing — it's a quick way to find out rather than guessing.