Blocked Drain Emergency Checklist: What to Do Right Now

When a drain emergency hits, it’s easy to panic. Having a clear checklist to follow means you act effectively instead of making things worse. Work through these steps in order.

Immediate: First 5 Minutes

Stop all water use in the property.

Every drop you put into a blocked or overwhelmed system makes the situation worse. Right now:

• Stop flushing toilets
• Turn off all taps
• Switch off the dishwasher and washing machine
• Tell everyone in the property — including any tenants or family

Assess the scope.

• Is just one fixture affected, or multiple? (Multiple = main drain or sewer)
• Is water or sewage entering the property? (Yes = emergency — request an urgent visit online now)
• Is there a smell of sewage inside? (Yes = request an urgent visit now)
• Are neighbouring properties also affected? (Yes = public sewer, call United Utilities: 0345 672 3723, and send us an enquiry too)

If Water or Sewage Is Entering the Property

Protect your belongings and health.

• Move furniture, rugs, and valuables away from affected areas
• If safe to do so, lift and roll wet carpets
• Place towels or old bedding to slow water spread
• Open windows — sewage gases are harmful
• Keep children and pets out of the affected area
• If you must enter, wear rubber gloves and boots
• Wash hands and any exposed skin thoroughly afterwards

Turn off the water supply if flooding is continuing.

• Locate your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink or just inside the front door)
• Turn it clockwise to close
• If water is still entering, it may be coming from the sewer — a drainage engineer is needed

Contact us online.

• Request a quote online from Manchester Blocked Drain Co at our contact page
• We respond promptly across central Manchester and M-postcodes, with urgent jobs prioritised
• Tell us: your address, what’s happening, whether sewage is visible

While Waiting for the Engineer

• Clear access to any outdoor manholes — remove garden furniture, pots, or decking covering them
• Note where water entered or backed up (tell the engineer when they arrive)
• Take photos and video of the affected areas — you’ll need these for any insurance claim
• Write down when the problem started
• Check if the problem is in your private drain or the public sewer (see our guide)

After the Engineer Has Been

• Get a written report describing what was found and what was done
• If a CCTV survey was recommended, book it — recurring problems almost always have a structural cause
• Notify your insurer if damage to the property occurred (you’ll need the engineer’s report)
• If sewage entered the property, clean and disinfect all affected surfaces before using them

Cleaning Up After a Sewage Incident

Sewage contains bacteria and pathogens. Proper clean-up matters:

• Wear disposable gloves, eye protection, and old clothes you can bin or wash at 60°C+
• Remove and bag any soft furnishings that cannot be disinfected
• Clean hard surfaces with a bleach-based disinfectant
• Ventilate the property for at least 24 hours
• Consider professional specialist cleaning for serious incidents

Preventing a Repeat

Once the immediate problem is resolved, address the root cause:

• Book a CCTV drain survey if the engineer found or suspected structural damage
• Check whether tree roots near the property could be causing recurring ingress
• Review what household waste is going down the drains (wipes, cooking fat, and coffee grounds are the most common culprits)
• Consider drain jetting as an annual maintenance measure for older properties

Quick Reference: Who to Call

Situation	Who to call
Blockage in your private drain	Manchester Blocked Drain Co: request a quote online
Blockage in a shared/public sewer	United Utilities: 0345 672 3723
Sewage entering your home	Manchester Blocked Drain Co immediately: request a quote online
Water damage to property	Your buildings insurer (after booking our emergency visit online)

We cover Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Wigan, Oldham, and Trafford.