Blocked drains in Kettering, Wellingborough, Rushden & Daventry

The short answer

Most blocked drains have a short list of causes. Fat, wipes and other waste block pipes of any age. Older pipes can also fail from roots or moving joints. Start with a few simple checks, and ask for help if the problem still stays.

One guide for four towns

We cover Kettering, Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Daventry from the same service. Each town has its own page for blocked drains, while this guide sets out what applies in all of them.

The town pages are listed here, because each one has its own detail:

• Blocked drains in Kettering
• Blocked drains in Wellingborough
• Blocked drains in Rushden
• Blocked drains in Daventry

Rushden and Higham Ferrers sit close together, so one page serves both. You can also read about plumbers in Higham Ferrers, since the same checks apply.

Old pipes and new pipes

The age of your home shapes the likely fault. Older homes often have clay drains with many joints. Roots and ground movement can open those joints over time.

Newer homes tend to have plastic drains, which resist roots. They still block, because fat, wipes and building debris can collect inside. So the age of the pipe tells you where to look first, although it does not tell the whole story.

What really blocks drains

Water companies say the same few things cause most blockages. Thames Water’s Bin it page lists wipes, fats, oils and grease. It says only pee, poo and toilet paper should go down the toilet. While this is one firm’s advice, it applies everywhere, and our guide to why drains block goes through each cause.

Hot water does not stop fat from building up, so bin cooking fat once it sets. Wipes marked flushable can still cause a blockage, since they do not break down like paper.

Checks to make before you call

A few quick checks help any engineer.

• Is it only your home, or do the neighbours have the same trouble?
• Is water backing up inside, or at an outside gully or manhole?
• Did the trouble start suddenly, or slowly over weeks?
• Is more than one fixture affected?

If the neighbours share the problem, a shared drain or public sewer may be the cause. Our guide to who is responsible for a blocked drain explains the boundary rules. Meanwhile, we explain how to report a blocked drain or sewer in a separate guide.

Strong drain cleaners can harm old pipes, so use them with care. Check the label, and ask a plumber if you are unsure, because a wrong choice can add damage.

Outside drains and cold weather

Water backing up outside is a separate case. Our guide to a blocked drain outside the house covers it. Frozen waste pipes can look like a blockage in winter, so see frozen pipes in Northamptonshire.

A macerator toilet can stop for its own reasons, which our Saniflo troubleshooting guide explains. Leaks from burst pipes can mimic a drain fault, so check the signs of a burst pipe as well.

When a camera helps

If a drain keeps blocking in the same place, look inside the pipe. A CCTV drain survey shows roots, cracks and displaced joints. Our guide to CCTV drain surveys explains what the report shows. Prices vary, so the CCTV drain survey cost guide is a useful start.

Buyers can check the drains before they commit. The pre-purchase survey guide explains how, while the cost is small next to a repair.

Frequently asked questions

Do you cover Higham Ferrers as well as Rushden?

Yes. The two towns are close, so the Rushden page covers both. Use the form to confirm your address.

Why does my drain keep blocking?

A repeat blockage in the same spot often has a cause beyond waste, such as roots. A camera survey can confirm which, since it shows the pipe.

Is it my drain or the water company’s?

If only your home has trouble, the fault is probably yours. If neighbours also suffer, a shared drain or public sewer may be the cause.

Ask for help in your town

Use the online form and name your town. Mark it urgent if sewage is backing up, because that cannot wait. See all our services and the areas we cover for more.

In Kettering, see plumbers in Kettering. For Wellingborough, see plumbers in Wellingborough. In Rushden, see plumbers in Rushden. For Daventry, see emergency plumbers in Daventry. Near Oundle, see plumbers in Oundle. Coverage differs by area, so check the page for yours.