Sewage coming up through the shower tray. A manhole overflowing across the garden. The only toilet in the house refusing to flush. Some blocked drains can’t wait until next week. Prime Drainage Solutions provides emergency drain unblocking across Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding parts of Dorset.
Call 0330 043 2648 now and tell us what’s happening.
When we’re available
When you call, we’ll tell you when an engineer can be with you and talk you through the cost before we set off.
What counts as a drain emergency
Call us straight away if:
- Sewage or dirty water is coming back up into your home through a shower, bath, sink or toilet
- A manhole or gully is overflowing into your garden, driveway or the street
- Your only toilet is blocked
- Water is backing up against walls or air bricks, where it could get into the building
- A blocked drain is stopping a shop, restaurant or other business from trading
If your drain is just slow and nothing is overflowing, you probably don’t need an emergency call-out. Our blocked drains Bournemouth and blocked drains Poole pages cover routine unblocking.
What to do while you wait
- Stop using water. Turn off the washing machine and dishwasher, and don’t flush or run taps.
- Keep children and pets away from any sewage or dirty water.
- Protect yourself. If sewage has come inside, wear rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
- Keep clear of electrics. If water is near sockets or appliances, don’t touch them. Switch off at the fuse box only if you can reach it safely.
- Check with your neighbours. If they’re affected too, the blockage may be in the public sewer. Report it to Wessex Water, whose emergency number is on their website and your sewerage bill.
- Take photos of any damage in case you need to make an insurance claim.
How our emergency call-outs work
- You call 0330 043 2648. Tell us what’s blocked, what’s overflowing and where you are.
- We agree the plan. You’ll know when we can arrive and roughly what it will cost.
- We find the blockage. Our engineer opens the manholes and traces the drain to locate the problem.
- We clear it. We use drain rods or high-pressure water jetting, depending on what’s causing the blockage.
- We check it’s flowing. We run water through every affected outlet to make sure the drain is clear.
- We tell you what caused it. If the pipe is damaged, we’ll explain what needs fixing so it doesn’t happen again.
Emergency drain services we cover
Emergency toilet unblocking
A blocked toilet becomes urgent fast, especially if it’s the only one in the house or several toilets are backing up at once. We clear the toilet, the soil pipe and the drain beyond it.
Overflowing manholes and outside drains
When a manhole lifts or a gully overflows, the main drain is usually blocked further down. We locate the blockage and clear it so the water drains away.
Sewage backing up indoors
Waste coming up through a shower, bath or ground-floor toilet is a sign the drain below is completely blocked. We clear the drain first to stop more coming in.
Commercial drain emergencies
A blocked drain can close a kitchen, shop or office for the day.
Emergency drain unblocking across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
Wherever you are, the first step is the same. Call 0330 043 2648 and we’ll tell you how soon we can get there.
Stopping it happening again
Many emergencies follow weeks of warning signs, such as slow drains, gurgling and smells. Others happen because a pipe is cracked, sagging or full of roots. Once the drain is flowing, a CCTV drain survey shows what’s going on inside the pipe. If it’s damaged, we can talk you through drain repairs.
Call for emergency drain unblocking
If a drain is overflowing or sewage is backing up, call Prime Drainage Solutions on 0330 043 2648. We’ll talk you through what to do now and get an engineer to you.
Emergency drain unblocking FAQs
How quickly can you get to an emergency blocked drain?
It depends on where you are and what our engineers are working on at the time. When you call, we’ll tell you when we can be with you, so you can decide what to do next.
Is an emergency call-out more expensive?
Emergency work outside normal working hours can cost more than a booked visit. We’ll talk you through the cost on the phone before we come out, so there are no surprises.
What should I do if sewage is coming into my house?
Stop using water, keep children and pets away and wear rubber gloves if you need to touch anything. Call us on 0330 043 2648. If your neighbours have the same problem, also report it to Wessex Water, as the blockage may be in the public sewer.
Who pays if the blockage is in the public sewer?
Wessex Water looks after the public sewers in Bournemouth and Poole and clears blockages in them without charge. You’re responsible for the drain that serves only your property within your boundary. If you rent, contact your landlord, who is usually responsible for drain repairs.
Can a blocked drain cause flooding?
Yes. When a drain is fully blocked, waste water has nowhere to go. It can back up through the lowest outlets in your home, such as a ground-floor toilet or shower, or overflow from manholes outside. Water sitting against walls can also lead to damp.
What’s the difference between an emergency and a standard call-out?
An emergency is when sewage is coming inside, a drain is overflowing or you have no working toilet. A slow sink or a drain that’s sluggish but still flowing can usually wait for a booked visit, which is often cheaper.