A blocked drain is unpleasant, and it raises an awkward question. Is it your job to fix it, or the water company’s? The answer depends on where the blockage sits.
This guide explains who owns which part of the pipework in Warrington. It also shows how to avoid blockages in the first place.
Who looks after drains in Warrington
United Utilities provides water and wastewater services in Warrington. Its wastewater pages explain which pipes are its job and which are yours. We have used those pages here, so you can check them yourself.
Because every property is different, the exact layout can vary. Nevertheless, the basic rule is simple. Your side runs from the house to the boundary, and the company’s side begins there. Knowing this first saves time, because you call the right people from the start.
Your drains: house to boundary
United Utilities says you are responsible for the drains from your property up to your boundary, unless they are shared. That covers the pipes and gullies around your home. If a blockage is in this part, the company will not clear it.
According to United Utilities, it will offer advice on how to sort the problem. In other words, you need to arrange the clearance yourself. A local drainage firm can inspect the pipe, find the blockage and clear it. Our blocked drains team does this work across Warrington and nearby towns.
The public sewer: United Utilities
The big public sewers are the company’s responsibility. These carry sewage and rainwater run-off to its wastewater treatment works. In addition, the company says it looks after the pipes from your boundary up to the point where they join the public sewer.
Shared drains are different again. Where the drains from several properties meet before they join the public sewer, United Utilities says this can also be its responsibility. As a result, a shared pipe is not always your job to fix.
What happens if the blockage is theirs
If the blocked pipe belongs to United Utilities, it says it will clear it for free. It confirms ownership first, usually once someone has looked on site. Always keep a note of the date you reported it.
Therefore, you should report the problem rather than hire someone straight away. First, note where the water is backing up and which fixtures are slow. That detail helps the company judge where the fault is. If you are unsure, United Utilities suggests using its online reporting tool, which it describes as the fastest route. A quick report can save you paying for work that was never yours to pay for.
What if you cannot tell where the blockage is
This is the hard part. You cannot see underground, so you may not know which section is blocked. For example, a slow drain at the bath might be a pipe on your side or a shared one beyond it.
First, check the United Utilities page called Sewers and drains explained. Next, report the problem if you still cannot tell. Meanwhile, a plumber can inspect the drain to show where the fault lies, which helps everyone agree who should act.
Stop blockages before they start
United Utilities says blockages come from things that should never go down a drain. It names wet wipes, even those labelled flushable, as well as period products, cotton wool, cotton buds, cotton pads, nappies and dental floss. Cooking oil, fat, grease and leftover food can also cause blockages and form fatbergs.
The advice is easy to follow. Flush only pee, poo and toilet paper. Put everything else in the bin. United Utilities says to bin wet wipes even if the packet says they can be flushed.
In the kitchen
Fats and oils solidify and block drains. Do not pour them down the sink. Instead, let them cool, then scrape them into the bin.
A sink strainer is another simple fix. It catches leftover food before it reaches the plughole. Use one and empty it often.
Renting or sharing a drain
If you rent, tell your landlord about the blockage before you arrange anything. The landlord may need to decide who acts. Keep a note of when the problem began, what you saw and which fixtures were affected.
Neighbours matter too, so keep them informed. If you share a drain, talk to them early, because the pipe serves all of you. As a result, you can agree one plan instead of several.
When to call a plumber
Call a plumber when a blockage keeps coming back, or when more than one fixture is slow. Also call if you hear gurgling or see waste backing up. These signs suggest the problem is deeper than a plunger can reach. In addition, a blockage you have cleared yourself that returns within days points to a cause further along the pipe.
Meanwhile, avoid pouring chemicals down the drain. We cover Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, Lymm, Frodsham and nearby towns, and you can use our online quote form to describe the problem. For an urgent overflow, our 24/7 emergency plumber team can help.
A short summary
Remember three points before you pick up the phone. Your drains run from the house to the boundary. The company looks after the pipes beyond that, plus shared drains that join before the public sewer. And whatever you do, keep wipes, fat and cotton products out of the system.