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Blocked drains

Blocked pipes can stop used water draining away, which can be messy and smelly, so you'll need to get it sorted fast.

Unless you’re a plumber, it’s often hard to know where the blockage is and who owns which bit of the pipework.

It's worth having a quick look at who looks after what inside and outside the boundary of your home on our sewers and drains explained page.

If you’re still unsure, don’t worry. We’re happy to help get the problem sorted, and the quickest way is to visit our online tool here.

If it’s our responsibility, we’ll send one of our engineers out to have a look. We'll always try to let you know when we'll be able to get to you and, if it changes, we’ll try to keep you informed.

When we come out to look at the blockage, we'll confirm if the blocked pipework belongs to us. If it does, we'll clear it for free and try to investigate the cause of the blockage.

If the blockage is within your own private drains, unfortunately we can't clear it for you, but we'll try to offer advice on how you can sort the problem. 

Know what to flush

You might think anything goes when it comes to what goes down the toilet - but it really doesn't. Avoid a blockage by only flushing the three ps - pee, poo and (toilet) paper!

Avoid a blockage

Important Notice

Cold Weather

After a few freezing cold days in the North West, it looks like the temperature is beginning to rise.

As the weather warms up over the next few days, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. It's worth taking some steps now to be prepared just in case this happens to you.

  1. Check your pipes in any cold places such as the loft or garage - can you spot any water dripping from the pipe?
  2. Find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it clockwise to turn off the water.
  3. Turn off your heating, open all your taps to drain the system quickly.
  4. Soak up any escaping water with towels.
  5. Check with your home insurance company to see if you’re covered for leaks and bursts or call a plumber.
  6. If you need to find a plumber in your area visit www.watersafe.org.uk
  7. If water has leaked near your electrics switch them off at the mains.

For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter.

Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

As the weather warms up, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter. Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

Cold Weather

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