What to Do in a Drainage Emergency Over the Holidays

Drains don't take Christmas off. Plenty of people find a blocked toilet, a smelly drain or sewage in the garden on Christmas Day. Offices and shops that shut for the holidays can return to a flooded floor.

This guide sets out what to do in a drainage emergency over the holidays, for both homes and businesses.

What counts as a drainage emergency?

Call straight away if:

• Sewage is coming up through toilets, sinks or floor drains
• A manhole is overflowing
• A toilet or drain is blocked and you can't use the property safely
• Water is flooding inside from a drain
• A pump station alarm is sounding
• A business kitchen can't operate because of a blocked drain
• There is a strong sewage smell you can't trace

A slow drain with no other signs can usually wait for the next working day. Use your judgement. If in doubt, call.

Step by step: what to do first

1. Stop using water. Don't flush toilets, run taps, or use the dishwasher or washing machine.
2. Keep everyone safe. Keep children, pets and guests away from any sewage. It is a health risk.
3. Protect your belongings. Move rugs, electrics and valuables off the floor.
4. Don't use drain chemicals. They rarely work on a serious blockage and can make the job unsafe for engineers.
5. Look for the cause. Is it one drain or all of them? Is the problem outside as well as in? Tell us. It helps us arrive with the right kit.
6. Take photos. They help with insurance claims.
7. Call an emergency drainage company. Don't wait for it to clear.

Who pays?

This is a common worry over the holidays. Responsibility depends on where the blockage is. Drains inside your property boundary are usually yours. Shared or public sewers may be the water company's. Our guide on who pays for a blocked drain explains how to tell. Check your home insurance too. Some policies cover emergency call-outs.

For prices, see our UK drain unblocking cost guide.

How we help

Our emergency team works 24/7, 365 days a year, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year. Depending on the problem, we can provide:

• Emergency drain unblocking
• Help with blocked toilets, sinks and urinals
• Overflowing manhole response
• Emergency sewage removal
• Emergency tanker services
• Emergency flood response
• Emergency fat, oil and grease blockage removal

Every call starts with finding the cause. We tell you what we found and what to do next.

For businesses closing over Christmas

If you shut for several days:

• Get your drains and grease traps cleaned just before you close
• Leave a drainage contact with the building manager
• Tell your drainage team your closing dates
• Check for alarms on pump stations and interceptors
• Ask us about out-of-hours drainage works

Our reactive drainage call-outs are there for commercial sites, and our kitchen checklist helps restaurants get ready.

For homes

• Don't put cooking fat, turkey juices or wipes down the drain
• Don't overload the washing machine and dishwasher when guests stay
• If you have a septic tank, don't leave it too late to empty. See how often a septic tank needs emptying
• Know where your stopcock and drain covers are

Need help now?

Call 0203 870 1067 any time, day or night, and one of our engineers will get to you. You can also email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk or get a quote today.

Related reading: emergency drainage services.