Drain Maintenance London

When you've had a blockage and called a company like us in to sort it out, you may think the solution is solved — and on the face of it, it is. We've sorted the blockage you called us out for, so you may be thinking that you don't really need maintenance.

But the conditions that caused the blockage are still there. Grease deposits, root intrusion, scale and silt build slowly — what looked like a one-off emergency is usually the visible tip of a much longer process. Regular maintenance catches build-up early, when a jet wash takes thirty minutes instead of a half-day excavation.

Drain guards placed over plug holes prevent hair and food waste from washing down sinks — by far the most common household cause of blockages.

Drain cleaners can help, but use ones that are kind to the environment and won't corrode your pipework. Caustic supermarket products can damage older pipes.

Boiling water down kitchen drains weekly helps prevent the build-up of oils and fats. Combined with a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, it's free and surprisingly effective.

Waste disposal units need regular cleaning — not just running them on empty, but a proper rinse-out monthly.

Pet washes: if you wash pets in the bath or shower, place a facecloth or drain guard over the plug hole to prevent fur washing down.

Watch the warning signs: build-up of leaves around outside gullies, strong smells from sink drains — these mean the drain isn't flowing freely.

For most households, professional drain cleaning every 6 to 12 months is plenty. Commercial kitchens and properties with mature trees nearby usually want quarterly. Plug holes should be cleared daily — a quick fish-out of hair and waste prevents nine out of ten bathroom drain calls.

If the drains are within your property's boundaries, you are usually responsible for their maintenance. Sewerage companies are responsible for lateral drains — those generally located outside your property and connecting to the public network. Not sure where the boundary sits? Call us and we'll help you work it out.