Maintain Drains FAQ’s

There are generally two options considered to be the best way to unblock a drain. The natural way is to use baking soda and boiling water. Many people believe using a chemical based product such as caustic soda is the best way to unblock a sink or drain.

If you want to unblock your drain naturally, you can use baking soda, vinegar and boiling water. Start by pouring boiling water down your blocked drain and then add half a cup of baking soda. Leave this to sit for a minute or two. Finally, add a mixture of vinegar and hot water to cut through the blockage naturally.

The cost of unblocking a drain varies depending on your method. Using baking soda as a natural way to unblock a sink is extremely cost-effective. However, where chemical solutions such as caustic soda are needed you can expect to pay up to £80.

Chemical drain cleaners are toxic and can cause damage to your drainage system. These cleaners harm the environment and inhaling the fumes can be dangerous. A much safer solution is to invest in a plumbers snake to rod out your drain pipes.

When dealing with u-bend blockage, you might have to remove the pipe. Once you have removed the u-bend, you can use caustic soda or baking soda as a u-bend unblocker. Ensure you turn off the water from the main supply before removing the u bend.Tree roots in drains is a common cause for blockages. We recommend drain jetting as an effective, long-term solution.

Bleach can kill tree roots in a sewer line but is not the most effective technique. Remember, bleach is corrosive and will damage your pipes. To clear roots from drain pipes, you can use a drain auger to cut them down. This is a short term solution which should help you unblock your clogged drains. Hydro drain jetting is a long term solution that will remove tree roots and other blockages from your drain pipes.

Every drain service provider is different. At Maintain Drains, drain unblocking starts from £75. This covers a basic blockage for both residential and commercial properties.

You may choose to use a CCTV Drain Survey or drain jetting to clear your blocked drains. The cost of doing so depends on the size of your property. Get in touch with us for a quote and to find out how much it will cost to clear your blocked drains.

To stop an overflowing toilet you must identify what is causing the issue. In most cases, the toilet is overflowing from the tank or cistern. This is often caused by a poorly adjusted float or a clogged pipe.

To unclog an overflowing toilet, you can use a plunger, toilet snake or a toilet auger. Toilet snakes are used for more stubborn blockages, when a plunger has failed to unclog an overflowing toilet cistern. Toilet auger is used for breaking down debris. It can also be used as a natural drain cleaner.

We would always recommend hiring a professional plumber to take a look at an overflowing toilet. Overflowing may be a sign of underlying issues elsewhere in your drainage system. Professional plumbers have extensive knowledge and all of the equipment needed to solve your problem.

The most likely cause of an overflowing sink is a blockage in the system. You can use a plunger to clear the blockage, like when tackling a toilet, or natural solutions such as baking soda and vinegar to break down the obstruction. If your bathroom or kitchen sink is overflowing, you may need to turn your water off at the mains before tackling any blockages.

A CCTV drain survey is an in-depth inspection of your drains using a specially designed camera. This allows us to identify any problems with your drains, such as blockages, leaks or structural damage. It can also tell us if your drain requires maintenance.

A CCTV drain survey is a great way to check the condition of your drains and identify any potential problems. This can save you money in the long run by avoiding expensive repairs.

The cost of a CCTV drain survey will vary depending on the size of the property and the type of report required. Customers can expect to pay around £90 for a basic report or up to £200 for a more extensive drain survey.

A CCTV survey will provide a more in depth picture of an entire drainage system. It can eliminate issues such as rat infestations, blockages and root growth. By identifying these issues early, you can eliminate the problem with minimal cost and interruption to your daily life.

A home buyers drain survey is crucial as it covers areas that a property survey wont. CCTV Drain Surveys help you identify problems early, allowing you to get them fixed before you run into any expensive nasty surprises. A home buyers drain survey cost depends on the size of the property, you can expect to pay between £90-£200 for your CCTV Drain Survey.

The length of time required for a CCTV drain survey will vary depending on the size and complexity of your drains. One of our drainage professionals should be able to give you an idea once you make an inquiry.

You can book a CCTV drain survey by giving us a call or using the enquiry forms on our website. We offer 24/7 availability and can respond quickly and efficiently.

It is not recommended that you attempt to carry out a CCTV drain survey yourself. This is a complex procedure using sophisticated equipment, which should only be carried out by a trained professional.

Drain jetting is a high pressure cleaning method to clear blocked drains and pipes. Drain jetting, also known as hydro jet drain cleaning, uses high pressure blasts of water to cut through the toughest of blockages including tree roots. It is a natural and effective method for unblocking drains.

High pressure drain jetting is ideal for stubborn blockages. The cost can vary depending on the size of the issue. The typical price for drain cleaning is between £150 – £200 but this is just a rough estimate. Get in touch with us directly for a quote.

Drain relining is the process of installing a new drain lining within the existing pipe. This prevents the need for pipe excavation and reduces the cost of issues such as a cracked drain pipe.

Pipe excavation is the process of digging to gain access to a drainage issue. Excavation may be necessary if there are several damages to the drain system, or when the area is too large to repair with new lining.

If you have been offered drain relining as a service, and are wondering if its necessary, keep reading to find out why!

Drain relining is an effective way of reinforcing a repaired drainpipe in order to prevent any future issues.

The new lining in this service offers a new sturdy internal layer adding effective protection without the need for excavation.

If you need our services, give us a call on 01202 300040

Drain relining is cheaper than pipe excavation. In the UK, lining cost is roughly £70 per metre. This is a good way to work out the cost of any drain patch repair work you may need doing.

Tree roots in drains is a common cause for blockages. We recommend drain jetting as an effective, long-term solution.

Bleach can kill tree roots in a sewer line but is not the most effective technique. Remember, bleach is corrosive and will damage your pipes. To clear roots from drain pipes, you can use a drain auger to cut them down. This is a short term solution which should help you unblock your clogged drains. Hydro drain jetting is a long term solution that will remove tree roots and other blockages from your drain pipes.

Items including wet wipes and sanitary towels are often found in sewers, but should never be flushed down the toilet. Excess toilet paper and loosely fitted toilet fresheners are also a primary cause of drain blockages – all problems that can be easily prevented.

Try this easy home remedy for moderately blocked drains. Mix half a cup of baking sofa with half a cup of vinegar. The chemical reaction caused by the combination of these two items will erode that unwanted blockage.
Tried this remedy and still struggling? Give us a call!

The most common reason for blocked drains is what is being put down them. This is particularly common with kitchen drains, where build ups of food, as well as fat, oil and grease (FOG) congeals in the drain and blocks it.
An easy preventative measure is simply to be more aware of what you are allowing to go down the plughole.

Ensure scrap food goes into the bin, particularly items such as coffee grounds and rice – and wipe oily pans and trays with kitchen roll before washing them in the sink.

Generally, payment will be taken upon completion of work – preferably cash/cheque or card onsite however we can invoice where required. All surveys require full payment before release of the report.

There isn’t much that we cannot clear. If we are unable to clear something it would suggest an issue with the pipe work or similar that will require further investigation.

For responsive works (i.e – emergencies) we cover the Dorset and South Hampshire / Wiltshire area.

Generally, we will cover areas downwards of the M4 corridor.