Emergency Blocked Drains: What to Do Before the Engineer Arrives
A blocked drain can escalate quickly – especially if water or sewage is backing up into your property. While waiting for an engineer to arrive, there are several steps you can take to minimise damage.
Stop Using Water
The first thing to do is stop running water through the affected drain. This means avoiding flushing toilets, running taps or using appliances connected to the drain. Continuing to add water will only make the backup worse.
Protect Your Property
If water is pooling, use towels or mops to contain it. Move valuable items away from the affected area. If sewage is involved, keep children and pets away and ventilate the area.
Check Outside
If safe to do so, check your external manhole covers. If the chamber is full, the blockage is likely in the main drain. If it is empty, the problem is between the property and the manhole.
Call a Professional
Emergency drainage engineers are available 24/7 and can typically arrive within 60-90 minutes. The sooner you call, the faster the problem can be resolved.
