External drain unblocking covers all the drains outside your property. These include gullies, manholes, inspection chambers and underground pipe runs. They carry waste water and surface water to the public sewer. Leaves, soil, moss, grit, tree roots and other debris build up in them over time.
These pipes are underground and out of sight, so problems often go unnoticed. Because of this, you may see water pool in the garden, spill from manholes or back up into the property before you spot a fault.
Our engineers arrive with high-pressure jetting tools that clear even the most compacted blocks. We also bring drain rods for easy-to-reach blocks and CCTV cameras for hidden issues. We clear the block, flush the full pipe run and inspect the drains for structural issues that might cause trouble later. External drain work typically takes one to two hours, depending on pipe length, access and the type of blockage.
We find all external access points, including manholes, inspection chambers and gullies. We open them to check water levels and flow direction. This shows us where the block is.
Our jetting unit feeds a high-pressure hose into the blocked pipe section. It blasts through the block and scours the pipe walls clean as it goes.
Where it helps, we run a camera through the cleared pipe. While it runs, we check the block is fully gone and look for root ingress, cracks or displaced joints.
We refit all access covers securely and clear any surface debris. Then we explain the state of your external drains and any maintenance or repairs that could help.
The cost of external drain unblocking depends on the length of pipe affected and the type of blockage. Tree root clearance or heavily compacted debris can mean longer jetting time, since these blocks are harder to break up. Request a fast, fixed-price quote online. We confirm all pricing before starting, and there is no call-out fee.
You are generally responsible for private drains inside your property boundary. United Utilities looks after shared sewers and public drains beyond it, across the Stockport and Cheshire area. However, if the block is in a shared or public sewer, we can tell you how to report it to the water company.
Yes, tree roots are one of the most common causes of external drain blocks in Stockport. Because roots seek out moisture, they can push into pipe joints and cracks. They then grow inside the pipe until they stop the flow. Regular CCTV inspections help find root ingress early, before it causes a complete block.
For most homes, an annual external drain inspection and clean is enough. However, properties with large trees near drain runs may need more care. The same goes for homes that have had blocks before. For these, we suggest maintenance every six to twelve months.