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FEDURCO DRAINAGE

Problem guide

Overflowing Drain

Water or wastewater rising from an outside drain, gully or inspection chamber usually means the system cannot carry what is being put into it — and it should be dealt with promptly.

Call 0800 677 1321Get Help
Outdoor drain grate overflowing with wastewater on a wet driveway

Drain overflowing now?

Stop using water in the property and call us. We are available 24/7, with a 60-minute response in Kent.

Call 0800 677 1321Get Help

Recognise the problem

What an overflowing drain can indicate

An overflow is the visible end of a problem that has usually been building for a while.

  1. 01

    A significant blockage

    The most common cause — the drain cannot carry flow, so it comes back up.

  2. 02

    A restriction downstream

    The chamber fills because the pipe leaving it is restricted.

  3. 03

    Root ingress or a defect

    Roots or a damaged section can catch debris until the pipe closes off.

  4. 04

    A shared or public sewer issue

    If neighbours are affected too, the problem may be in the public sewer — usually the water company’s responsibility.

Practical steps

Avoid making the problem worse

Sensible, safe steps while you wait for help — no risky DIY.

  • Stop adding water

    Avoid flushing, running taps, or using the washing machine and dishwasher until the drain is cleared.

  • Keep people and pets clear

    Overflowing wastewater is unhygienic — keep the area clear and wash hands after any contact.

  • Do not lift heavy covers alone

    Inspection covers are heavy and chambers can give off harmful gases — leave investigation to someone equipped for it.

  • Skip chemical cleaners

    They will not reach a serious blockage and add hazardous chemicals to standing wastewater.

Engineer at an open drain at dusk

How Fedurco approaches it

Restore flow, then find the cause

The first job is to relieve the overflow and restore flow safely. Once the immediate problem is under control, the question is why it happened — because an overflow usually has a cause that will still be there tomorrow.

Where the cause is not obvious, a CCTV survey can show whether roots, build-up or a defect is responsible, so any further work is based on evidence.

We clean and sanitise the affected area as part of the job, and you receive a quote before work begins.

Drain Unblocking service

Related services

Services that may be relevant

Common questions

Overflowing drain questions

Treat it as urgent, especially if wastewater is entering the property or garden. Stop using water and call — we are available 24/7 and can usually respond within 60 minutes in Kent.

Drains serving only your property are usually your responsibility; shared and public sewers are usually the water company’s. If neighbours are affected too, that points to the public sewer. We can help you work out which is likely.

The level may fall, but the cause remains — and the next heavy use or rainfall can bring it straight back. It is better to have the restriction cleared and the cause identified.

Treat any wastewater overflow as unhygienic. Keep people and pets away from it, and wash thoroughly after any contact. We clean and sanitise the affected area as part of the job.

Heavy rain increases the volume the system must carry, so a partial restriction that coped in dry weather can overflow when it rains. The restriction was likely there already.

If the underlying cause is not addressed, repeat overflows are likely. That is why we look for the cause once flow is restored, rather than just clearing the immediate blockage.

Next step

Need the drain cleared?

If a blockage is behind the overflow, our Drain Unblocking service can clear it and check the drain is flowing again.

Drain Unblocking

Get a quote

Tell us about the overflow.

Your problem is already selected — just add your postcode and details.

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0800 677 1321

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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  3. 3

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