We have been clearing drains across London since 2013, and EC1 is inside our core coverage. That covers Clerkenwell, Farringdon and Barbican.
What we cover in EC1
EC1 covers Clerkenwell, Farringdon and Barbican, within Islington and City of London. Homes, flats and commercial premises are all covered, from a slow sink to a complete system.
Clerkenwell and Farringdon mix converted warehouses and workshops with newer flats and a heavy concentration of bars and restaurants. Drainage here is mostly old brick and clay beneath buildings that have been reconfigured several times, so waste runs rarely follow the route anyone expects.
Common causes in EC1
Throughout EC1, the common causes are:
- A drain that keeps blocking, which points to a fault in the pipe
- A property being bought, with mature trees close to the run
- An insurer asking for evidence needing documented evidence
- An extension being planned, so the pipe has to be found before digging
Signs worth reporting
Before you call, it helps to know what you are looking at:
- Water standing in an outside gully when nothing is running
- More than one appliance backing up, rather than a single sink
- Bubbling in the pan as another appliance drains
- Foul odour around a chamber that is stronger in warm weather
How the visit works
We work to the same order on every visit, which is how we can quote a fixed price:
- Clear enough of the line for a usable view
- Run the camera through the full length
- Mark the position and depth of each defect
- Give you footage plus a report an insurer will accept
Before we arrive
In the meantime, there are two or three useful steps:
- Stop using water in the property, especially washing machines
- Cordon off contaminated ground
- Make sure the chambers can be reached
- Have your postcode and a description ready so we arrive prepared
Who pays for the repair
Not every blockage is yours to pay for. Since 2011, most shared drains and lateral drains in England belong to the water company, so a fault out in the road is not yours to fund. We work out where the fault is and say so, even where it means there is no job in it for us.
What it costs in EC1
A CCTV drain survey is a fixed £300 plus VAT, footage and written summary included. We never charge for coming out, whatever the time. The price is confirmed before we start.