Sewage coming back up through a drain, toilet or floor gully is unpleasant and, more importantly, a health risk. The cause is almost always a blockage or fault further along the drain, and the sooner it is dealt with, the less damage it does.
What to do straight away
- Stop using water in the property, including toilets, sinks, showers and washing machines
- Keep children and pets away from the affected area
- Avoid direct contact with the water, and wear gloves if you have to move belongings
- Wash your hands thoroughly after any contact
- Do not pour chemical cleaners into the drain, as they will not shift a blockage this serious and can make work on the pipe more hazardous
Why it happens
Sewage backs up when waste cannot flow away. The usual causes are a blockage in the drain or shared sewer, a collapsed or displaced section of pipe, tree roots in the line, or a build-up of fat and wipes. If more than one fixture is affected, the blockage is typically further down the system.
Who is responsible?
If the fault is within your own pipework, it is generally your responsibility. If neighbours are affected too, or the blockage is in a shared drain or public sewer, the water company may be responsible for the section beyond your boundary. Our guide to who handles a blocked drain issue explains where the line usually falls.
Getting it cleared
Our emergency drain unblocking engineers can attend to clear the blockage and then use a CCTV drain survey to check why it happened, so you are not left waiting for a repeat. It is also worth checking your policy, as our guide on drain issues and home insurance explains what may or may not be covered.
If sewage is coming up through a drain, do not wait to see if it clears on its own. Call us on 0333 200 1623 or use our contact page and we will help.