Emergency Drain Services explained
Most blocked drains can wait for a normal visit, while a few cannot. Sewage inside the house, flooding that is spreading, or no working toilet all call for quick action.
The request form stays open 24/7, and you can mark your request urgent. The form does not promise a time of arrival, which depends on the engineer who takes the job. Meanwhile, the steps below keep you and your home safer.
What counts as a drain emergency
Judge by the risk, not by the clock. Sewage is a health risk, and flooding damages property as water spreads. A slow sink is annoying, yet it is rarely an emergency.
| Situation | Treat as urgent? | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Sewage backing up inside the house | Yes | Stop using water and keep people and pets away |
| Water flooding in from a drain | Yes | Move valuables up, and switch off power only if it is safe |
| Manhole overflowing outside | Yes | Keep clear, and do not lift the cover |
| No working toilet in the house | Often | Send an urgent request and say so on the form |
| One slow sink | Usually not | Try the simple fixes on the blocked drains page |
If sewage reaches the house, avoid touching it, because it carries germs. Wash your hands well afterwards. If you feel unwell, ask a doctor for advice.
Is the pipe yours or the water company's?
Chelmsford City Council says Anglian Water handles sewers and blocked sewers in the Chelmsford area. You are responsible for the drain that serves your own property. If sewage comes up at a manhole in the street, report it to the water company, since the sewer is its pipe.
Brentwood Borough Council names both Anglian Water and Thames Water for its area. Which one serves you depends on your postcode, since both cover parts of the borough. Check the council page before you decide who to call.
Typical UK costs for urgent drain work
Out-of-hours work can cost more. PlumberMarket says emergency call-out fees are typically 1.5 to 3 times the standard rate. MyJobQuote lists emergency call-out charges of £100 to £200 on its drain guide.
These are typical UK ranges from national guides, not Essex quotes. Ask the engineer for the price before work starts. A quote in writing, even by email, avoids surprises, because you can check it later.
Two common emergencies
The flooding emergency guide covers drain flooding. It explains what to do while you wait and how engineers trace the cause.
The sewage emergency guide covers sewage backups. It explains the safe first steps and who owns the pipe. For a block that is not urgent, read about blocked drains instead, since a normal visit may do.
Water that comes from a burst or leaking water pipe is a different job. Read the emergency plumber guide for burst pipes, leaks and the stopcock.
Emergency Drain Services guides
Flooding Emergency
Drain flooding can spread, since water follows the lowest route. This page explains what to do while you wait and how engineers trace the cause.
Sewage Emergency
Sewage backing up is a health risk, since it carries germs. This page explains the safe first steps and who owns the pipe.
Local pages for this service
Local pages cover urgent drain problems for each town. Start with emergency drain help in Chelmsford, which is the main page. If you are further out, read urgent drain problems in Billericay or Ingatestone emergency drain guide. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formEmergency Drain Services questions answered
Is a blocked drain an emergency?
It can be, when a block puts health or property at risk. Sewage inside the house, flooding or no working toilet are urgent. A single slow sink usually is not.
Why does my drain smell like sewage?
A dry trap, a block or a damaged pipe can all cause the smell. Run water into rarely used fixtures to refill the traps. If the smell stays, or sewage appears, send an urgent request.
How do I report a blocked sewer to Anglian Water?
Chelmsford City Council says Anglian Water handles blocked sewers in the Chelmsford area. Look on the Anglian Water website for its reporting page, since routes can change. In Brentwood, check whether Anglian Water or Thames Water serves your postcode.