What if I’m trying to unblock a drainpipe?

  1. Pour boiling water down the drain.
  2. Add a cup of bicarbonate of soda.
  3. Now add a cup of vinegar and watch it start to fizz and froth.
  4. Replace the drain cover loosely and let it work its magic for a few hours. Repeat until you make headway.

How do I know if my outside drain is blocked?

What are the Warning Signs of a Blocked Drain?

  1. Unpleasant smells. …
  2. Water drains away slowly. …
  3. A gurgling sound. …
  4. What should you do? …
  5. Get plunging. …
  6. Tackling the outside drains. …
  7. The first step is to remove the drain cover, which you can do with a screwdriver or a handle if there is one. …
  8. Now take a peek inside the drain.

Why does my outside drain keep blocking?





If your drain is outside it will most likely have been caused by a build-up of dead leaves, or even tree roots which can find their way into pipes and cause a barrier to the flow of water. If it’s an indoor blockage, it could have occurred because of heavy materials or objects being flushed down the drain.

How much does it cost to unblock a drain pipe?

Plumbers cost $75 to $550 to unclog a drain, depending on the hourly rates, accessibility, severity, and cause of blockage. Most plumbers offer flat rates on basic drain cleaning, while unclogging severe drains is billed at $45 to $150 per hour plus parts.

Who is responsible for blocked drains on my property?

Assuming a detached property in London has no shared drains, then the homeowner is responsible for the drains up to the property boundary, and Thames Water is responsible for all blockages or repairs off your property.

Will soda crystals unblock an outside drain?

If your drain isn’t completely blocked and is still slowly draining, you can consider using soda crystals or caustic soda to clear your blockages. This method is particularly effective against grease and fat blockages but less effective against other types.

What acid do plumbers use to unclog drains?





Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Although this component can be found even in your own stomach, as part of the digestive acids, its pure concentrated form can only be purchased from certain stores if you carry a plumber’s license.

Who owns the water pipes to my house?

Supply pipes run from the boundary of the property (where there may be a company stop-tap) up until the first water fitting or stop-tap inside the property. Stop-taps along the length of the supply pipe, and any water fittings, are the property owner’s responsibility to maintain.

Who is responsible for water pipes in your garden?

There a two main groups who are responsible for water pipes: The water company. The consumer.

Who is responsible for rainwater drainage?



Sewers and lateral drains connected to the public network used to be the responsibility of the property owner. However, most are now maintained by local water companies. If you have any problems with your sewer or lateral drain, for example if it’s blocked, contact your local water company.

Do water pipes run under the house?

This pipe, called the water or supply line, carries water from the mainline to your house. The supply line is buried deep enough underneath the property that it won’t freeze, and it runs from the ground directly into the home. Supply lines are usually made of plastic, galvanized iron, or (ideally) copper.

How do you know if a pipe burst under your house?

Be on the alert for these seven symptoms of a slowly leaking burst pipe.

  1. Water Pressure Goes Up and Down. …
  2. The Water Doesn’t Look Right. …
  3. It Smells Like Rotten Eggs. …
  4. Puddles Keep Forming Under Sinks. …
  5. You Can Hear the Water. …
  6. The Pipes Are Making Noises. …
  7. The Water Bill Is Too High. …
  8. Water Stains on the Ceiling.


What are the signs of a broken water pipe?

Learn the Signs of a Broken Pipe

  • Freezing Temperatures. The first and most obvious sign that you may run into problems with your plumbing is freezing temperatures. …
  • Stains on walls. …
  • No water coming out of the pipes/Low water pressure. …
  • Strange smells from the pipes. …
  • Discolored water. …
  • Increased Water Bills.

How do you know if you have a leak under your house?

Signs you have an underground water leak inside

  1. Noticeable drop in water pressure when using plumbing appliances.
  2. Hissing or splashing noises.
  3. Dirty or rusty water (although this could be due to another problem)
  4. An increase of mold or water-loving insects in your home.
  5. Sewage smell or moldy odors.

How do I find a leak in my water pipeline?



The methods which can be adopted to detect the leakage of water through pipe joints, junctions, and water mains are as follows:

  1. 1.1 Direct Observation. Ad. …
  2. 1.2 Using Sounding Rods. …
  3. 1.3 Plotting the Hydraulic Gradient Line. …
  4. 1.4 Using Waste Detection Meter.

Is there a tool to detect water leak?

A water leak detector can reduce the risk by alerting you to problems quickly, so you can act to prevent severe damage. We have tested several over the past few months, and these are the smart water leak detectors we recommend.