What happens when the engineer arrives
The first job is finding where the blockage is. The engineer lifts chamber covers along the run: the chamber that is full sits just upstream of the blockage, and the first empty one sits downstream. That narrows the problem to one length of pipe.
The blockage is then cleared, usually with high pressure water jetting from the downstream side so that waste flows away as it breaks up. Once water is running, the line is flushed through and the chambers are checked to make sure everything drains normally.
Blockages that clear quickly
- Wipes, sanitary products or too much toilet paper in one go.
- Food waste in a kitchen sink or outside gully.
- Leaves and silt in a gully after a storm.
- A soft blockage close to an accessible chamber.
Blockages that take longer
- Hardened fat and grease that has built up along a kitchen run.
- Tree roots that have grown into the pipe through a joint.
- Blockages deep in a long run or under a building.
- Buried or sealed chambers that have to be found and opened.
- Pipes that have cracked, settled or partly collapsed.
- Commercial drains with heavy use and several connections.
When a camera check is worth adding
If the blockage was caused by something obvious and the drain runs well afterwards, you may not need anything more. If it is the second or third time the same drain has blocked, or the engineer finds roots, broken pipe or a dip holding water, a CCTV survey shows exactly what caused it. That footage turns a repeat call-out into a single targeted repair.
What you can do while you wait
Stop using water that feeds the blocked drain. That means toilets, showers, washing machines and dishwashers as well as sinks. If foul water is backing up inside, keep people and pets away from it, and do not pour chemical drain cleaners into standing water: they rarely shift a serious blockage and can make the job hazardous for whoever clears it.
If you can safely see which chambers are full and which are empty, mention it when you call. It helps the engineer go straight to the right place.
Help day or night
Curran Drainage clears blocked drains 24 hours a day, 365 days a year across West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife and Lanarkshire. There is no call-out charge, including at night and at weekends. Call 07427 195142 and tell us what is happening.
Want a professional to handle it?
Ask us about your drain
Questions we get asked
Can a blocked drain be cleared at night?
Yes. We work 24/7, and night and weekend call-outs carry no call-out charge.
Why does my drain block again after being cleared?
Usually because something in the pipe, such as grease, roots or a settled section, keeps catching waste. A camera survey finds the cause.
Do I need to be home for a drain to be unblocked?
It helps, especially if the blockage affects internal fixtures, but outside drains can sometimes be cleared with access arranged in advance.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner first?
It is best not to on a serious blockage. It seldom clears it and leaves hazardous water for the engineer.