Right now: stop using water
Stop using every toilet, sink, bath, shower and appliance that drains. Extra water only adds to the flood. Tell everyone in the house to do the same.
Next, switch off any appliance that has water around it, but only if it is safe to reach. Never touch electrics while standing in water. If you are unsure, leave the power alone and ask an electrician for help.
Identify the extent
Check where the water is coming from. Is it one toilet, or several fittings at once? Look outside too, because a flooded gully or inspection chamber points to a blockage in the main drain.
Write down what you see and take photos. These help an engineer judge the problem faster. They also help if you make an insurance claim later.
What sewage backup looks like and the health risks
Sewage is dirty and can carry germs, so avoid contact with it. It looks grey or brown and smells strongly. It may also contain toilet paper and solid waste.
Keep children and pets away from the area. If you touch it, wash your skin with soap and water straight away. Seek medical advice if anyone feels unwell afterwards, since germs in sewage can cause stomach illness.
Before the engineer arrives: containment
Open windows for fresh air if you can do so safely. Move rugs, boxes and valuables out of the wet area. Lay towels or sandbags at doorways, because this slows the spread.
Wear rubber gloves and boots if you must go near the water. Do not use a wet vacuum on sewage, since it can spread germs through the air. Wait for the clean-up until the blockage is gone.
Calling an emergency drainage engineer
Describe what you see, where it is and how long it has been happening. Say whether one fitting or many are affected. Also mention if water is outside the house, since that helps the engineer plan.
Ask what the price covers before work starts. If you want a local engineer to look at the job, you can request a free quote and we will pass your details on. Response times depend on the engineer and your area.
What the engineer will do
The engineer will find the blockage, then clear it with the right equipment. Often this means rods or a high-pressure water jet. They may use a camera afterwards to check the pipe is sound.
If the same drain blocks again, the pipe may be damaged. In that case, ask about a camera survey. It shows the cause, so you can fix it properly.
After the drain is cleared: clean-up
Once the drain flows, wash and disinfect all the surfaces the sewage touched. Hot soapy water and a household disinfectant work well. Throw away soft items that cannot be cleaned, such as soaked carpet.
Open windows and let the room dry fully. Meanwhile, contact your insurer to ask whether your policy covers the damage.
Is it the water company’s problem?
Water companies look after public sewers. If the blockage is in the public sewer, the water company should clear it. If it is in a pipe that serves only your home, inside your boundary, you are usually responsible.
Since 1 October 2011, many shared pipes and pipes outside the boundary in England and Wales belong to the water company. However, the rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. If you are unsure, ring your water company and ask them to check.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Blocked Sink: Every Common Cause and How to Fix Each One. You can also read Blocked Bath Drain: Causes, Quick Fixes and Prevention Tips and 8 Common Causes of Blocked Outside Drains and What to Do, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Bathroom Drain Problems: Hair, Soap Scum and Real Fixes, Drain Jetting vs Rodding: Which Method Is Right for You?, Water Softener Guide: How They Work, Costs and Installation, Drain Maintenance: How to Keep Your Drains Clear All Year and Water Efficiency in UK Homes: Practical Measures That Work. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our blocked drain guide first, or see Blocked Drains in Manchester and Blocked Drains in Bradford. You can also see Blocked Toilets in Bestwood, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
