Quick answer
A single slow sink can usually wait for a normal appointment. Sewage backing up cannot wait. Treat it as an emergency if several fixtures block at once. The same applies to a flooded floor or water rising through a toilet. In those cases report an urgent drain problem straight away.
Signs the blockage can probably wait
A single sink, basin or shower may drain slowly. You may also hear an occasional gurgle that does not get worse over a few days. In that case the problem usually sits in one waste pipe, since nothing else is affected.
If every other sink and toilet still drains normally, the risk of flooding is low. A routine appointment is fine, though you should watch for changes. Our guide to seven warning signs of a blocked drain lists the early clues in more detail.
Signs of a genuine emergency
Several fixtures may stop draining together. The kitchen sink, bathroom basin and shower might all run slowly at once. That points to the shared drain run, since one pipe cannot cause it. Look out for the signs below as well, since any one of them can mean a serious blockage.
- Dark, foul water rising from a floor drain, toilet or shower tray
- Water flooding a floor, especially in a low room such as a utility room
- Water coming back up the toilet when you flush
- Water appearing at a sink when someone runs a tap elsewhere
Any of these carries a risk of damage to your home. Where sewage is involved, it is also a health hazard. Treat it as urgent, because waiting makes both worse.
What can happen if you ignore an emergency
Escaping water can soak into walls, floors and ceilings. Damp then builds and mould can follow. Sewage carries bacteria, so it can put people and pets at risk.
Prolonged damp can also reach electrical fittings and insulation. As a result, a drain problem can grow into a safety problem. Acting early keeps clean-up smaller and cheaper. Our sewage emergency page explains the options for the worst cases.
What you can safely do while you wait
Stop using any fixture that shows signs of a blockage. Do not run water, flush a toilet or start a machine that drains into the affected pipe. Extra water only adds to the pile behind the blockage, so every stop helps.
Keep away from water that has risen from a drain. Skip chemical cleaners on a serious blockage, since they can harm pipes. They can also give off fumes in standing water. For the full checklist, read what to do before the engineer arrives.
Who to contact: the water company or a drainage engineer
Ownership splits between your private drains and the public sewer. In 2011 the water companies took over many private sewers and lateral drains. Drains inside a single property boundary stayed with the owner, and Defra explains the transfer in its private sewers guidance.
Chelmsford City Council says Anglian Water handles sewers in the Chelmsford area. It also says you are responsible for the drain for your own property. Check the water company for your postcode, since some Essex addresses sit with another supplier.
Report it to the water company if neighbours see the same problem. Do the same if water rises from a street drain. If the blockage is inside your own pipes, ask a drainage engineer to attend. When in doubt, check whether the problem stops at your boundary.
The emergency drain services page explains how to request urgent help. The blocked drains page covers the usual causes and fixes. Mark your request urgent. The form takes requests 24/7.
Emergency drain pages by town
If the problem is in Ingatestone or Springfield, see emergency drain services in Ingatestone and emergency drain services in Springfield. A burst pipe is a different kind of emergency, so read about emergency plumber help in Brentwood or emergency plumber help in Braintree when water comes from a supply pipe.
- Emergency drain services in Chelmsford
- Emergency drain services in Braintree
- Emergency drain services in Maldon
- Emergency drain services in Witham
- Blocked drains in Ingatestone
Frequently asked questions
When is a blocked drain an emergency?
It is an emergency when more than one fixture is affected or sewage backs up. The same applies when water floods a floor or returns through a toilet. A single slow fixture with no other symptoms usually is not an emergency, since it stays local.
Can I ask for urgent help at night?
You can send a request 24/7. Mark it urgent and describe what you see. The form cannot promise when an engineer will arrive, so keep stopping water use while you wait.
What should I do while I wait for a drainage engineer?
Stop using the affected fixtures so you add no more water. Avoid contact with backed-up water, especially if it smells or looks dark. Skip chemical cleaners on a serious blockage, since they can damage pipes.
Is a blocked toilet always an emergency?
Not always. If it is the only blocked fixture and nothing is rising, it can usually wait for a normal appointment. However, if it is your only toilet, or sewage is involved, treat it as urgent.
Do I contact the water company or a drainage engineer?
Contact a drainage engineer for a blockage inside your own pipes. Contact the water company if the problem looks like a public sewer. For example, neighbours may see it too, or a street drain may overflow.