1. Failing to report a known problem promptly
Tell your insurer as soon as you spot damage. Waiting can let the damage grow, and insurers may refuse a claim they see as avoidable. Read your policy for time limits.
Take photos and keep notes. Meanwhile, stop the damage getting worse if you safely can, for example by turning off the water.
2. DIY repairs that failed
A repair you do yourself may not meet the policy’s terms, because insurers often expect a professional. If it fails and causes damage, the insurer may question the claim. Ask before you start work.
For drain problems, our page on drain cleaning and unblocking explains when to use a professional. Keep receipts for anything you do.
3. No evidence of maintenance history
Insurers may ask how you looked after the drains, since upkeep affects a claim. Records of cleaning and repairs help. Without them, you may struggle to show the damage was sudden.
A maintenance plan helps here. See our guide to drain maintenance contracts. Keep every report and invoice together.
4. The damage arose from roots (where foreseeable)
Some policies exclude damage from tree roots or gradual wear, so check the wording. Check the wording. A known root problem that you ignored may weaken a claim.
A camera survey can find roots early. Our CCTV drain survey page explains how. Act on the findings quickly.
5. The problem is in the shared sewer (water company responsibility)
Insurance rarely covers pipes you do not own, because someone else is responsible. In England and Wales, water companies look after many shared pipes. Ask your water company who is responsible, since the rules differ across the UK.
Do not pay for a repair until you know whose pipe it is. A survey can help show where the fault lies.
6. Pre-existing conditions not disclosed
Be honest when you buy cover, because a missed fact can weaken a claim. If you knew about a drain fault and did not say so, a claim may fail. A pre-purchase survey can show the drain’s state. See our guide to a drain survey when buying a house. Answer every question fully, because gaps can cause trouble later. Keep a copy of your answers.
How to protect your claim entitlement
Read your policy and know what it covers, since terms differ. Keep records, report problems fast and keep your drains in good order. Our CCTV drain survey page shows how to document the drain.
If you need a local engineer, you can request a free quote. We will pass your details on.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Home Insurance and Drainage: What Is Covered and What Is Not. You can also read HMO Plumbing and Drainage: Requirements and Best Practice and Landlord Drainage Responsibilities: What UK Landlords Do, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: 10 Drainage and Plumbing Checks Before an HMO Inspection, Manhole Cover Replacement: Types, Load Ratings and Costs, Gutters and Downpipes: A Simple Care Guide for UK Homes, 5 Warning Signs of Pitch Fibre Pipe Failure to Watch For and Garden Drainage Solutions: How to Fix a Waterlogged Garden. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our drain jetting page first, or see Drain Jetting in Bexleyheath and Drain Jetting in Bideford. You can also see Blocked Drains in Congleton, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
