External drains carry waste and rain water to the public sewer, and they sit underground where problems often go unseen. Leaves, soil, grit, and tree roots build up over time. This buildup can block the pipe run completely. Our engineers clear the blockage with jetting or drain rods, check for hidden damage with a camera, then flush the run and refit every cover securely.
Before you send a request, our guide 7 Warning Signs You Have a Blocked Drain explains what to look for and what your options are. It also covers the questions we usually ask when you get in touch.
We find all outside access points — manholes, inspection chambers, and gullies — and open them up. Since this lets us check water levels and flow direction, we can pinpoint the blockage.
Our jetting unit feeds a high-pressure hose into the blocked section. It blasts through the blockage and scours the pipe walls clean as it goes.
Where needed, we run a camera through the cleared pipe to check the blockage is fully gone. We also look for cracks, root growth, or moved joints while we are there.
We refit all access covers securely and clear any surface debris. We then tell you about the state of your drains, and any repairs that could help, since a small fix now can prevent a bigger one later.
External drain unblocking costs depend on the length of pipe affected and the type of blockage, since tree roots and packed debris take longer to clear than a simple blockage. We confirm all pricing before we start. Request a quote online.
You are generally responsible for private drains within your property boundary. Shared sewers and public drains beyond your boundary are the responsibility of Wessex Water in the Poole area. If the blockage sits in a shared or public sewer, we can tell you how to report it to the water company.
Tree roots are one of the most common causes of external drain blockages in Poole. Roots seek out moisture, and they can grow into pipe joints and cracks until they block the flow. Regular CCTV checks help spot root growth early, before it causes a full blockage.
For most homes, an annual check and clean of the external drains is enough. Properties with large trees near the drain run, or ones that have blocked before, may benefit from a check every six to twelve months instead.