Blocked drains cleared across the Isle of Man
Blocked toilet, sink or outside drain? We clear blockages with rods and high-pressure water jetting, then tell you what caused it so it's less likely to happen again.
Or feel free to send a WhatsApp, photos welcome.
- Homes, landlords and businesses
- Covering the whole Island
- We explain what caused it
Sewage or water coming up right now?
Call us on 07624 202220. While you wait, stop running taps, flushing toilets and using the washing machine, and keep children and pets away from any sewage. If your neighbours have the same problem, it may be the public sewer: call Manx Utilities on 01624 687687 (Freephone 0808 1624 115).
In short
- What we do
- Clear blocked drains, toilets, sinks, outside gullies (the small drains with a grid, often under a downpipe) and shared private drains, using drain rods or a high-pressure water jet.
- Signs of a blockage
- Water that drains slowly or not at all, gurgling, bad smells, or water rising in a manhole or outside gully.
- What happens
- We find where the blockage is, clear it, check everything is flowing, and explain what caused it.
- If it keeps coming back
- There's usually a reason, such as roots or a damaged pipe. A CCTV survey shows what's going on.
- What it costs
- Your first consultation is free, and we give you a free estimate before any work starts.
A few things worth checking first
Some blockages are simple enough to sort yourself, and we'd rather you knew that. If one of these fixes it, great.
- One slow sink or bath: try a plunger, then clean the trap (the U-bend under the sink) with a bucket underneath. Hair and soap build up there.
- Outside gully: lift the grid and scoop out leaves and silt, wearing gloves.
- Only one appliance affected: the problem is probably in that pipe, not the main drain.
- Neighbours affected too: the blockage may be in a public sewer, which is Manx Utilities' responsibility. Call them on 01624 687687 or Freephone 0808 1624 115. Our Isle of Man drainage rules page explains who looks after what.
We'd steer clear of chemical drain cleaners. They rarely shift a proper blockage, can damage older pipes, and make the water dangerous for anyone who then has to work on the drain.
Signs it's more than a quick fix
- Sewage or dirty water coming up through a manhole, gully or shower
- Toilets that won't flush away, or rise when you run a tap
- Several sinks, baths or toilets draining slowly at once
- Gurgling from plugholes or toilets
- A smell of drains that doesn't go away
- The same drain blocking again after it's been cleared
- Water pooling around a manhole cover in dry weather
- Signs of rats near drains or manholes
Not sure what a symptom means? Our common drain problems guide explains the usual causes.
How we clear a blocked drain
Find the blockage
We lift the manhole covers and work out which pipe is blocked and roughly where. That tells us whether it's in your drain or further along, in a shared drain or the public sewer.
Clear it
Simple blockages often clear with drain rods. For fat, silt, scale and roots we use a high-pressure water jet, which cleans the inside of the pipe rather than just punching a hole through the blockage.
Check it's flowing
We run water through and watch it pass each manhole, so we know the whole run is clear.
Tell you what we found
We'll explain what caused it. If we think there's damage, such as roots or a broken joint, we'll say so and suggest a camera survey rather than guessing. We won't recommend work you don't need.
What is drain jetting?
A jetting machine pushes water at high pressure through a hose with a special nozzle on the end. Jets pointing backwards pull the hose along the pipe, and jets pointing forwards break up whatever is in the way.
Different nozzles suit different jobs: some cut through roots, others scour away fat and scale. Because the jet cleans the full width of the pipe, the drain is left properly clear rather than just unblocked for now.
Jetting is safe for pipes in reasonable condition. If we suspect a pipe is badly broken, we'll look with a camera first so we don't make it worse.
What blocks drains
- Wet wipes: they don't break down like toilet paper, even many sold as flushable.
- Fat, oil and grease: poured down the sink warm, it sets hard in the pipe and catches everything else.
- Sanitary products and nappies
- Food waste from kitchen sinks
- Leaves, silt and gravel washed into outside gullies
- Tree roots growing in through joints and cracks
- A damaged or sagging pipe that holds water and debris
Stopping it happening again
- Only flush toilet paper. Wet wipes, sanitary products and cotton buds belong in the bin, even if the packet says "flushable".
- Let cooking fat cool, then scrape it into the bin.
- Fit a strainer in the kitchen sink.
- Keep outside gullies and grids clear of leaves.
- Think about where trees are planted in relation to drains.
- If a drain blocks often, find out why with a CCTV survey, or ask us about planned maintenance.
Blocked drain FAQs
Who is responsible for a blocked drain?
On the Isle of Man, the drains that carry waste water from your home are normally your responsibility up to where they join the public sewer. Manx Utilities looks after public sewers, and a sewer generally becomes public where it carries flows from more than one property. If more than one property is affected, contact Manx Utilities on 01624 687687. If it's just yours, it's probably your private drain, and we can help. Our Isle of Man drainage rules page has the details.
Why does my drain keep blocking?
A drain that blocks again and again usually has an underlying cause: roots getting in, a cracked joint or one that has slipped out of line, a sag in the pipe, or a build-up of fat. Clearing it treats the symptom. A CCTV survey finds the cause, so it can be fixed properly.
Will jetting damage my pipes?
Not if the pipe is in reasonable condition and the pressure and nozzle are chosen for the job. With old or badly damaged pipes we check with a camera first.
Are chemical drain cleaners worth trying?
We don't recommend them. They seldom clear a proper blockage, they can damage older pipes and seals, and they make the standing water hazardous. If you've already used one, please tell us before we start.
Can I flush wipes that say "flushable"?
We'd bin them. Many wipes sold as flushable don't break down quickly enough, and they're one of the most common causes of the blockages we clear.
Can you come out in an emergency?
Yes. If water or sewage is coming back up, call us on 07624 202220 and we'll get to you as quickly as we can.
Related pages
Drain blocked right now?
If water or sewage is coming back up, give us a call and we'll get to you as quickly as we can.