A drain emergency can strike at any hour. It might be sewage backing up, a flooded floor or a collapsed pipe. What you do in the first few minutes can limit the damage, since water spreads fast.
Recognising a drain emergency
Not every drain problem is urgent, yet some signs need quick action. Check the list below, since each item can mean a serious blockage.
- Sewage backing up into your home
- Water flooding up from drains
- Several drains blocked at once
- A strong sewage smell indoors
- Sewage showing in your garden or drive
First steps to take
1. Stop using water
Stop all water use as soon as you spot a serious problem. Extra water only adds to the flood, because the pipe cannot take it. That means:
- Do not flush toilets
- Do not run taps or showers
- Do not use the washing machine or dishwasher
2. Protect your property
If water or sewage is entering your home, move furniture and valuables away. Roll up rugs where you can. Open windows to let fresh air in, since sewage gases can be harmful.
3. Turn off the water supply
If clean water keeps flowing and you cannot stop it, find your stopcock. It is usually under the kitchen sink or near the front door. Turn it off to cut the supply, since that stops the flow at once.
4. Avoid contaminated areas
Sewage carries harmful bacteria, so keep children and pets away from affected areas. If you must go in, wear rubber boots and gloves, avoid touching your face and wash well afterwards.
5. Record the damage
When it is safe, take photos and videos of the damage. Note the time the problem started. Keep these details, since your insurer may ask for them.
What not to do
Do not use chemical drain cleaners
Chemicals will not help in an emergency, and they can make things worse. They suit minor blockages only. They can also harm anyone who then has to work on the drain.
Do not open sewer chambers
Do not lift covers or climb into chambers to clear a sewer yourself. It is dangerous, since the gases and the depth can harm you. Leave that work to a trained drainage engineer.
Do not ignore the problem
A drain problem will not fix itself. Waiting lets more damage build, while repair costs rise.
Who to contact
The pipe may be private or public. Drains inside your boundary belong to you, while public sewers belong to the water company. Chelmsford City Council says Anglian Water handles sewers in the Chelmsford area. If neighbours see the same problem, report it to the water company too.
For a blockage in your own pipes, ask a drainage engineer to attend. Our emergency drain services page explains the options. Mark your request urgent. The request form takes requests 24/7, though it cannot promise an arrival time. Keep stopping water use while you wait.
Details to have ready
- Your address and postcode
- What you can see and smell
- When the problem started
- Whether neighbours have the same problem
- Your contact details
Also clear access to manholes and inspection chambers if it is safe to do so. Keep your phone charged, so the engineer can call you.
More help
For flooding, see the flooding emergency page. For sewage, see the sewage emergency page, since the steps differ. Unsure how urgent your case is? Read our guide on whether a blocked drain is an emergency.
The same safe steps apply to a drain that floods in Billericay or Great Baddow, so see emergency drain services in Billericay and emergency drain services in Great Baddow. A burst pipe or a leak is a plumbing fault, not a drain fault, so read about emergency plumber help in Chelmsford instead.
- Emergency drain services in Chelmsford
- Emergency drain services in Brentwood
- Emergency drain services in Braintree
- CCTV drain surveys and drain jetting can follow once the flooding stops