We attend a great many basement flats throughout the capital, and the causes rarely surprise us.
How basement flats are drained
Lower ground and basement properties usually sit below the level of the main drain, so waste has to be lifted by a pump before gravity can take over.
What goes wrong
A pump alarm normally means the discharge run is restricted rather than that the pump has failed. Lightwell gullies silt up out of sight and then surcharge.
Our approach
Twin pumps and a working alarm are worth the extra cost in a basement. A single pump failing overnight is an expensive way to find that out.
Signs worth reporting
- Standing water in a yard gully long after use
- Two or more fittings affected together, rather than a single sink
- Gurgling from a toilet or sink when something else empties
- A drain smell outside that is stronger in warm weather
Before we arrive
- Hold off on taps, showers and appliances, especially washing machines
- Keep people and pets away from any standing waste water
- Make sure the chambers can be reached
- Note which fittings are affected for the call
Who pays for the repair
Whose pipe it is matters as much as what is in it. Since 2011, most shared drains and lateral drains in England belong to the water company, which means a fault beyond your boundary is theirs to fix. We establish which side of the line the fault sits and tell you plainly, even where it means there is no job in it for us.
What we charge
Every price is fixed before work starts and there is never a call-out charge, at any hour:
- Blocked Drains – Outside drain clearance is a fixed £144 plus VAT.
- Blocked Toilets – A blocked toilet is normally cleared at the fixed £120 plus VAT rate.
- Blocked Sinks – Clearing a blocked sink is a fixed £120 plus VAT.
- Drain Unblocking – Drain unblocking starts at a fixed £120 plus VAT, with no call-out charge at any hour.
- CCTV Drain Surveys – A CCTV drain survey is a fixed £300 plus VAT, footage and written summary included.
- Trenchless Drain Repairs – Trenchless repairs are quoted after a survey, because the length and condition set the price.
- Drainage Installation – Installation work typically runs from £600 to £2,500, fixed after a site visit.
- French Drains – French drain installations are quoted after a site visit.