By Clearstreamdrainagesolutions October 22, 2026Blocked Drains

Who to Call for Drainage Issues Near You

If you have a blocked drain, overflowing toilet, bad smell coming from your pipes or wastewater backing up into your property, knowing who to call can save you time and prevent the problem from getting worse.

The right contact depends on the type of drainage problem, where it is happening and whether the affected pipe is your responsibility or the water company’s.

For homeowners and businesses in Cornwall, this guide explains who to contact for common drainage issues and when to call a professional drainage company.

Who should you call for drainage problems?

Here is a quick guide to help you decide who to contact.

If you are unsure who is responsible, your water company can help establish whether the affected pipe forms part of the public sewer network.

1. Call a professional drainage company for blocked drains

If a toilet will not flush properly, water is draining slowly or wastewater is backing up into your home, a professional drainage company is often the best first call when the problem affects your private drains.

A drainage specialist can investigate the blockage, identify its likely cause and recommend the right solution.

Depending on the problem, this could involve:

• Drain unblocking: Removing obstructions caused by waste, grease, wipes or other materials.
• High-pressure drain jetting: Using specialist equipment to clear stubborn blockages and clean the inside of pipes.
• CCTV drain surveys: Inspecting the inside of a drain to identify damage, root ingress or recurring obstructions.
• Drain repairs: Repairing damaged, cracked or collapsed sections of pipework.
• Pipe relining: Repairing certain damaged pipes without the need for extensive excavation.

If you are dealing with a recurring blockage, it is worth investigating the underlying cause rather than repeatedly clearing the same drain.

Clear Stream Drainage Solutions provides drainage services across Cornwall for domestic and commercial customers.

2. Contact your water company for public sewer problems

Not every drainage problem is the homeowner’s responsibility.

In England, water and sewerage companies generally maintain public sewers and lateral drains that connect private drainage systems to the public network. A public sewer may run beneath a road, pavement or even private land.

You should contact your water company if you suspect a problem with a public sewer, particularly if:

• Sewage is escaping from a public manhole.
• A sewer is overflowing onto a road or public area.
• Several neighbouring properties are experiencing drainage problems.
• There is evidence of sewer flooding that appears to affect the public network.

If the problem is on a private drain serving only your property, you will generally need to arrange and pay for the necessary work yourself.

Not sure who is responsible? Contact your water company and ask them to check their sewer records. This can help establish whether the affected pipe is part of the public network.

3. Call your landlord or letting agent if you rent

If you rent your home and experience a blocked drain, overflowing toilet or other drainage issue, report it to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible.

Explain what is happening, when it started and whether other drains or neighbouring properties are affected. Photographs or videos can also help show the severity of the problem.

Your landlord may need to arrange a plumber or drainage specialist, depending on the issue and the terms of your tenancy.

If sewage is backing up into the property or there is a risk of damage, make it clear that the issue needs urgent attention.

If the problem appears to involve a public sewer, the landlord or tenant can also contact the relevant water company to report it.

4. Contact the council for blocked roadside drains

If water is collecting on a public road, a roadside gully is blocked or there is flooding linked to highway drainage, contact the local council or the relevant highways authority.

These authorities are generally responsible for maintaining the highway drainage systems on the roads they manage, although responsibility can vary depending on the road.

For example, if a roadside drain is overflowing near your property, a private drainage contractor may not be the correct first contact.

However, if the blockage is in a private drain on your property and is causing the problem, a drainage specialist may be needed instead.

When reporting the issue, provide the road name, location and details of the flooding or blockage.

5. Who should you call for an emergency drainage problem?

Some drainage problems need urgent attention because they can cause property damage, create hygiene risks or make parts of a building unusable.

Consider seeking urgent professional help if:

• Sewage is backing up through toilets, sinks or floor drains.
• Multiple drains have stopped working.
• Wastewater is overflowing inside your property.
• A drain is overflowing and threatening to damage your home or business.
• You suspect a damaged or collapsed drain is causing serious problems.

If you are experiencing sewage flooding, avoid contact with the wastewater and keep children and pets away from the affected area.

Do not continue flushing toilets or running water into a drainage system that is backing up. If it is safe to do so, stop using the affected fixtures until the cause has been investigated.

If the issue may involve a public sewer, report it to your water company as well as seeking appropriate help for any immediate problem on your property.

For emergency drainage problems in Cornwall, Clear Stream Drainage Solutions can help investigate private drainage issues and advise on the appropriate next steps.

6. What if your drains keep blocking?

A drain that blocks repeatedly may have an underlying problem that cannot be resolved by simply clearing the obstruction.

Common causes include:

• Grease, fat and food waste building up inside pipes.
• Wet wipes and unsuitable items being flushed down toilets.
• Tree roots entering damaged joints.
• Cracked, displaced or collapsed pipework.
• Poor drainage gradients or structural defects.
• Heavy deposits of silt or other debris.

If the same drain keeps blocking, consider arranging a CCTV drain survey.

A specialist camera is fed into the pipework to inspect its internal condition. This can help identify the cause of recurring problems and establish whether cleaning, relining or a more extensive repair is needed.

Finding the cause early can help you avoid repeated call-outs and unnecessary work.

7. Who should you call for drainage problems in Cornwall?

If you live in Cornwall and have a blocked drain, recurring drainage problem or suspected damaged pipework, contact a local drainage specialist if the issue affects your private drainage system.

Clear Stream Drainage Solutions provides drainage services across Cornwall, including areas such as Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, St Austell, Bodmin, Camborne, Redruth, Penzance and surrounding areas.

Depending on the problem, the team can help with:

• Blocked drains and toilets.
• Drain cleaning and high-pressure jetting.
• CCTV drain surveys.
• Drain repairs and pipe relining.
• Commercial drainage problems.
• Septic tank and private drainage services.

If you are unsure what is causing the problem, explain the symptoms when you make contact. Details such as whether one drain or several are affected can help determine the next step.

For issues involving public sewers, Clear Stream can help you understand whether a private drainage investigation is appropriate, but the water company should be contacted where the public sewer network may be responsible.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call for a blocked drain near me?

If the blockage affects a private drain serving your property, contact a professional drainage company. If you suspect a public sewer is blocked, particularly if several properties are affected, contact your local water and sewerage company.

Do I call a plumber or a drainage company?

A plumber is often suitable for internal plumbing problems, such as a faulty tap, leaking pipe or a localised sink blockage. A drainage company is generally better equipped for external drains, stubborn blockages, high-pressure jetting, CCTV drain surveys and damaged underground pipes.

Some companies offer both plumbing and drainage services, so explain the symptoms before arranging a visit.

Is the water company responsible for my blocked drain?

Not always. You are generally responsible for private drains serving your property within its boundaries. Water companies usually maintain public sewers and the relevant lateral drains. The precise position can depend on the pipe, its connections and the circumstances.

If you are unsure, ask your water company to check its sewer records.

Who do I call if sewage is coming up through my toilet?

Stop using the affected toilet and other connected fixtures if possible. Keep people and pets away from contaminated water and contact an emergency drainage specialist. If you suspect a public sewer blockage, report it to your water company too.

Who fixes a blocked drain outside my house?

It depends on which drain is blocked. A private drain within your property boundary will generally be your responsibility, while a public sewer or lateral drain may be the water company’s responsibility. A roadside gully may fall under the highways authority.

Can I unblock a drain myself?

You may be able to clear a minor blockage using a suitable plunger or by cleaning an accessible plughole trap. Avoid mixing chemical drain cleaners or using them in a way that contradicts the product instructions. If wastewater is backing up, several drains are affected or the blockage keeps returning, professional investigation is the safer option.

How do I know if I need a CCTV drain survey?

A CCTV drain survey may be useful if blockages keep returning, you suspect root ingress or pipe damage, or you need to understand the condition of underground drains. The inspection can help identify the cause and guide the choice of repair.

Need help with a drainage problem in Cornwall?

Knowing who to call for drainage issues can be confusing, especially when you are unsure whether the problem affects a private drain or the public sewer network.

If you have a blocked drain, recurring blockage or suspected damaged pipework on your property, Clear Stream Drainage Solutions can help investigate the problem and advise on the next steps.

Contact Clear Stream Drainage Solutions to discuss your drainage issue and find out which service may be suitable for your property.