Emergency Drain Problems: What to Do Before Help Arrives

A drain emergency can strike at any time, often at the most inconvenient moment. It might be sewage backing up, a blocked drain causing flooding, or a collapsed pipe. However it starts, knowing what to do in the first few minutes can significantly reduce the damage.

Recognising a Drain Emergency

Not every drainage problem counts as an emergency. However, these situations require immediate action:

• Sewage backing up into your property
• Water flooding from drains
• Multiple drains blocked simultaneously
• Strong sewage smell inside your home
• Visible sewage in your garden or driveway

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Stop Using Water

As soon as you realise there's a serious problem, stop all water usage in your property:

• Don't flush toilets
• Don't run taps or showers
• Don't use the washing machine or dishwasher
• Turn off any appliances that drain water

Every extra bit of water you add makes the problem worse. Since backed-up systems can't drain, stopping water use matters most.

2. Protect Your Property

If water or sewage is entering your home:

• Move furniture and valuables away from affected areas
• Roll up rugs and carpets if possible
• Use towels or sandbags to create barriers
• Open windows to ventilate the area (sewage gases can be harmful)

3. Turn Off Water Supply

If water keeps flowing and you can't stop it, locate your stopcock first, since it's usually under the kitchen sink or near the front door. Once you find it, turn off the main water supply to your property.

4. Avoid Contaminated Areas

Sewage contains harmful bacteria and pathogens. Since it can spread illness quickly, keep children and pets away from affected areas. If you must enter a flooded area, take these precautions:

• Wear rubber boots and gloves
• Avoid touching your face
• Wash thoroughly afterwards
• Don't eat or drink in the contaminated area

5. Document the Damage

Once you've done what you can to limit the damage:

• Take photos and videos of affected areas
• Note the time the problem started
• Record any damage to belongings
• Keep this information for insurance claims

What NOT to Do

Don't Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

In an emergency, pouring chemicals down the drain won't help and could make things worse. Since these products only handle minor blockages, not major problems, save them for another time.

Don't Try to Access the Sewer

The main sewer runs under your property and connects to the public sewer. Never try to access or clear it yourself. Since this is dangerous and often illegal without authorisation, always call a professional.

Don't Ignore the Problem

Some people hope a drainage problem will resolve itself. It won't. Delaying action only lets more damage occur, and repair costs rise as a result.

While Waiting for Help

Once you've called a professional drainage company, there are a few more things you can do:

• Clear access to manholes and inspection chambers
• Make note of where water is entering or backing up
• Check if neighbours are experiencing similar problems (this might indicate a shared sewer issue)
• Keep your phone charged in case the engineer needs to contact you

Requesting Emergency Help

When you contact Emergency Plumber In Portsmouth for emergency assistance through our online form, we'll ask:

• Your address and postcode
• What symptoms you're experiencing
• When the problem started
• Whether it's affecting multiple properties
• Your contact details

We respond promptly, with urgent jobs prioritised, for emergency callouts across Portsmouth and the surrounding area. This includes Gosport residents on the far side of the harbour, Waterlooville households further inland, and the Emsworth harbour area on the Hampshire/West Sussex border. Additionally, our emergency drain services team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether you're dealing with a flooding emergency or a sewage emergency, our engineers carry specialist equipment. This includes CCTV cameras and high-pressure jetting to diagnose and work through problems methodically. If you're actually facing a burst supply pipe rather than a blocked drain, our emergency plumber team can advise on that too. Meanwhile, if you haven't already, find your stopcock and turn off the water supply before help arrives.

Request urgent help online if you're experiencing a drain emergency. Since every situation is different, tell us what's happening and we'll advise on next steps.