Blocked Drains in Catford

Drainage in Catford

Catford is close to the River Ravensbourne. The river runs through Ladywell Fields, and the Waterlink Way follows the Ravensbourne and Pool rivers to the Thames at Deptford Creek. Heavy rain therefore has a lot of water to move. When the public system is under strain, a drain that is already partly blocked is the first to back up.

Flooding here is not new. Much of Lewisham flooded on 15 September 1968, and the Environment Agency has since worked on plans to manage flood risk from the Ravensbourne. Lewisham's 2017 flood risk assessment names the Ravensbourne corridor as a critical surface water drainage catchment. It also says the lower-lying areas near the Ravensbourne, Pool and Quaggy face the greatest rise in people at risk as the climate changes.

None of this means your drain will back up. However, it is a good reason to clear a slow drain before a storm, not during one. You can check any postcode on GOV.UK's long term flood risk service. Our post on why surface water from the Ravensbourne and Pool can cause drain backup in SE6 explains the warning signs.

Responsibility for the pipes is the next question. Thames Water became responsible for private sewers and lateral drains from 1 October 2011. Homeowners remain responsible for the pipes between their property and that section. If you are unsure where your part ends, a CCTV drain survey shows the layout and condition of the run.

Most blocked drains have ordinary causes. Fat and grease go down the sink, wipes go down the toilet, and roots find a way in through joints. Cracked or displaced joints also catch debris. Slow draining, gurgling and smells are the early signs, while heavy rain adds pressure to a drain that is already struggling.

The first step for a slow drain is usually rodding or jetting. Our engineers handle drain unblocking in Catford from the nearest access point. High-pressure cleaning then removes fat and debris from the pipe walls, which helps stop the blockage coming back. If it still returns, a camera survey finds the cause. To get a drain looked at, request a quote online.

Blocked drains in Catford: what we usually find

We clear blocked drains in Catford (SE6), including Rushey Green, Catford South and Catford Bridge, and nearby Bellingham and Hither Green. Our engineers deal with blocked sinks, toilets and outside drains at terraces, semis and flats. We also tackle drains that back up when heavy rain puts the system under pressure.

• Drains that back up in heavy rain, particularly near the Ravensbourne and Pool
• Fat and grease in kitchen sink pipes, which narrow the drain until it blocks
• Wipes and other items flushed down toilets, which catch in the pipe
• Roots entering through joints in older clay drains, especially near parks and street trees
• Displaced or cracked joints that catch debris and cause repeat blockages

We start at the nearest inspection chamber to find the blockage. Rodding clears most obstructions, while high-pressure jetting then cleans the pipe walls. We match the pressure to the age and condition of the pipe. If we cannot find the blockage, or it keeps returning, a CCTV survey shows the cause before we suggest a repair.

If a Catford drain blocks more often in wet weather, tell us when you request a quote online. Thames Water has been responsible for private sewers and lateral drains since 1 October 2011, yet you remain responsible for the pipes between your property and that section. It helps to know where the problem sits before you arrange repairs.