1. You’ve had more than one callout in a six-month period
Repeat call-outs point to an underlying problem, because each visit only clears the blockage. Each visit clears the blockage but not the cause. A plan with regular cleaning can break the cycle.
Keep a note of every visit and cost. Because the totals add up, a contract may be cheaper. Our drain jetting page explains one cleaning method.
2. Drains slow during peak service
If sinks drain slowly at busy times, the pipe is already narrow, since grease builds up. Grease and food build up over weeks. A busy service can then tip it into a blockage.
Plan cleaning before this happens. Regular visits keep the pipe open when you need it most.
3. You have a grease trap that has not been serviced in over 3 months
A grease trap only works when it is emptied. A full trap lets fat pass into the drain. Check how often yours needs attention, since it depends on how much you cook.
Ask your supplier for advice. Our commercial drain maintenance guide explains more.
4. You can smell drains in the kitchen or dining area
Smells point to a problem, because grease rots in the pipe. Grease may be rotting in the pipe, or a trap may be dry. Customers notice smells quickly.
Do not ignore them. A clean and a check usually find the cause. Meanwhile, check that floor drains have water in their traps.
5. You have trees or planting near the kitchen drain run
Roots seek water and can enter drains, so planting near a run adds risk. Planting near a drain run raises the risk. Read our guide to tree roots in drains.
A camera check shows whether roots have entered. Regular cleaning keeps them under control.
6. Your drains are more than 20 years old without a survey
Old drains may have cracks and weak joints. If nobody has looked inside, you do not know their condition. A CCTV drain survey gives you the facts.
Use the report to plan work. Because surprises cost money, a survey is a sensible step.
7. Your insurance requires evidence of drainage maintenance
Some insurers ask for proof that you look after your drains, so records matter. A contract gives you records. Ask your insurer what they need.
Keep reports and invoices in one place. They help if you ever need to claim.
What a commercial maintenance contract includes
A contract often covers regular drain cleaning, grease trap emptying and camera checks. It lists visit dates and records the work. Ask for the details in writing.
If you want a quote, you can request a free quote. We will pass your details to a local engineer. Our drain jetting page covers one method.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Septic Tank Maintenance: A Complete Guide for UK Homeowners. You can also read 5 Warning Signs of Pitch Fibre Pipe Failure to Watch For and Soakaway Problems: Why They Fail and What to Do About It, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Manhole Cover Replacement: Types, Load Ratings and Costs, 10 Hidden Plumbing Problems in Victorian Homes to Look For, Landlord Drainage Responsibilities: What UK Landlords Do, Foul Drain vs Surface Water Drain: What Goes Where? and Home Insurance and Drainage: What Is Covered and What Is Not. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our drain jetting page first, or see Drain Jetting in Blackburn and Drain Jetting in Blackpool. You can also see Blocked Drains in Crewe, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
