We have been clearing drains across London since 2013, with CR4 among the areas we attend most. The postcode takes in Mitcham.
What we cover in CR4
CR4 covers Mitcham, inside Merton. Homes, flats and commercial premises are all covered, from single blockages to full drainage installations.
Mitcham is largely interwar semi-detached housing near the Wandle, on ground that holds water. Soakaways filling during prolonged rain and gardens that will not dry out are the common complaints.
Common causes in CR4
Across CR4, these are the ones that come up again and again:
- Non-flushable items lodged in the trap
- A heavy load of paper, particularly with a low-flush cistern
- An obstruction in the run below, not a fault with the toilet itself
- Something that should never have been flushed caught in the outlet
Signs worth reporting
What to tell us on the call:
- Water sitting in a drain outside when nothing is running
- Several fittings draining slowly at once, which points at the shared run
- Bubbling in the pan when something else empties
- A drain smell outside that is stronger in warm weather
How the visit works
We diagnose before we clear:
- See whether anything else in the property is affected
- Protect the bathroom before any work starts
- Clear the trap with the right tool for the blockage
- Work down to the external run if the pan is already clear
Before we arrive
In the meantime, these few things genuinely help:
- Stop using water in the property, particularly appliances on a timer
- Move children and pets away from the affected area
- Clear access to the drain covers if you can
- Have your postcode and a description ready so we arrive prepared
Who pays for the repair
The first question on a shared drain is whose it is. A private drain serving one building is the owner’s; past the boundary it is normally Thames Water. We put that in writing after the visit.
What it costs in CR4
A blocked toilet is normally cleared at the fixed £120 plus VAT rate. We quote a fixed price, not a rate, so a difficult job in CR4 does not become an expensive surprise.