How quickly can an engineer arrive at my property?
We operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For emergency blockages, backups, or flooding, we dispatch a local engineer immediately to contain the issue and prevent property damage.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
No. We believe in 100% transparent pricing. We provide clear, upfront quotes before any work begins—meaning zero hidden call-out charges or night-rate surprises.
What areas do you cover?
We provide comprehensive drainage services throughout London, Essex, Kent and the South East and all surrounding local towns for domestic, commercial, and industrial properties.
Are your engineers accredited and insured?
Yes. All BLOKD Drainage engineers are fully qualified, insured, and trained to operate strictly within UK water industry safety standards.
What are the main signs that my drain is blocked?
Common warning signs include slow-draining sinks or showers, water rising high in the toilet bowl, gurgling noises from plug holes, and persistent foul odours indoors or around outdoor gullies.
Can I clear a blocked drain myself with chemical unblockers or DIY rods?
We strongly advise against it. Chemical unblockers rarely clear dense obstructions like roots or grease and can erode pipe joints. Cheap DIY rods often unscrew or snap inside tight pipe bends, creating a far more complex retrieval job.
What causes most drain blockages?
The most common culprits are flushed wet wipes, sanitary items, cooking fats and oils (FOG), hair clusters, heavy scale buildup, and tree roots penetrating pipe joints.
Will you need to dig up my garden or driveway to repair a broken pipe?
In the vast majority of cases, no. We specialise in modern no-dig cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) patch lining, which repairs damaged underground pipes directly through existing access points without excavation.
What causes underground pipes to fracture or collapse?
Underground pipes fail due to tree root ingress, ground movement, soil shifting, heavy vehicle traffic over shallow lines, or the natural age degradation of older clay, pitch fibre, or cast iron pipes.
How do I know if my drain is structurally damaged rather than just clogged?
If your drains block repeatedly shortly after being cleared, or if you notice localised damp patches, sinking paving slabs, or persistent smells, an underlying structural fault is likely present.
What is included in a CCTV Drain Survey?
Using remote HD inspection cameras, our engineers navigate your underground pipework to locate hidden defects. You receive an HD video recording, a technical structural report, a drainage layout map, and an itemised fixed-quote for any required repairs.
Why do I need a CCTV survey before buying a property?
Standard homebuyer building surveys do not look inside underground drainage systems. A CCTV survey ensures you are not inheriting thousands of pounds in hidden structural cracks, collapsed pipes, or severe root damage prior to exchange.
Can a CCTV survey help with vermin or pest issues?
Yes. Rats frequently enter properties through broken, uncapped, or dislodged underground drainage pipes. Our cameras locate the exact entry points so they can be sealed permanently.
When is a vacuum tanker required instead of standard drain jetting?
Tankers are required for high-volume liquid waste extraction, heavy sludge removal, and deep chamber access—such as septic tank emptying, commercial grease trap de-sludging, petrol interceptor cleaning, and emergency floodwater removal.
How is liquid waste disposed of after tanker extraction?
Every load collected by our vacuum tankers is processed in strict compliance with UK Environment Agency standards. We transport liquid waste directly to authorised UK treatment facilities and provide full Duty of Care transfer documentation for your records.
How often should a septic tank or cesspit be emptied?
Most domestic septic tanks require emptying annually to prevent solid sludge from overflowing into soakaway fields. Higher-occupancy or commercial properties may require more frequent maintenance.
What are the main benefits of a Pre-Planned Maintenance (PPM) agreement?
PPM contracts stop drainage emergencies before they start. Scheduled jetting, stack descaling, and grease clearance prevent sudden business downtime, environmental health fines, and expensive emergency callouts.
Which businesses need a PPM contract?
Pre-Planned Maintenance is ideal for commercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels, retail parks, schools, and multi-occupancy residential blocks that process high volumes of waste and cannot afford operational downtime.
How often should commercial drainage be serviced?
Maintenance schedules are tailored to your site’s specific usage. High-risk areas like commercial grease lines typically require quarterly or bi-annual servicing, while standard commercial buildings may only require an annual system cleanse.