Drains in UK homes should be cleaned every one to two months to prevent the build-up of fat, hair, soap scum, limescale, and food particles. For optimal drainage health, professional cleaning is recommended at least once a year. Kitchens and bathrooms typically require more frequent attention due to the nature of the waste that flows through them. Regular drain cleaning helps avoid foul odours, costly plumbing repairs, water backups, and even long-term structural damage caused by hidden leaks or cracks.
It might seem like something you can put off, but not cleaning your drains can cause more trouble than it’s worth. Over time, the everyday grime that goes down the plughole doesn’t just disappear. It clings to your pipes, hardens, and restricts water flow. Grease builds up in the kitchen. Hair and soap combine into thick sludge in the bathroom. Toilets start to flush slowly or not at all.
When the build-up becomes too much, you might start to hear gurgling noises or smell something unpleasant. In more serious cases, you could end up with standing water, leaks, or a complete blockage. All of these problems can lead to expensive repairs, especially if water damage starts to affect walls, floors or even the structure of your home.
Some leaks start small but get worse over time, weakening the soil under your home and leading to costly foundation repairs. Cleaning your drains regularly helps stop these problems before they start. Protecting your home from hidden water damage starts with consistent drain care.
Pro Tip: Add a monthly reminder on your phone to flush your kitchen drain with boiling water. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Need Help With a Blocked Drain?
Our local engineers are available 24/7 to clear blockages quickly and safely.
If your drains are flowing well and don’t smell, you’re probably doing something right. A bit of routine maintenance can go a long way, and there are simple ways to help prevent build-up between professional cleans.
Use boiling water regularly
Pouring hot water down your kitchen and bathroom drains once a week helps melt away grease and soap before they have a chance to solidify. It is one of the easiest habits to get into and requires no equipment.
Baking soda and vinegar flush
Once a month, pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of white vinegar down the drain. Let it fizz for about 10 minutes, then rinse with boiling water. This can help clear light build-up and keep things smelling fresh.
Use enzyme cleaners
Available from most hardware shops, enzyme-based drain cleaners use natural bacteria to break down organic waste without corroding your pipes. These cleaners are safer for both your plumbing system and the environment and are most effective when used every one to two months.
Fit strainers to your plugholes
Strainers are a straightforward way to catch food scraps in the kitchen or hair in the bathroom before they enter the drainage system. They are affordable, easy to clean, and prevent unnecessary clogs.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners
It might be tempting to grab a chemical solution when a drain slows, but these products can damage pipework over time. Many commercial cleaners contain corrosive ingredients that weaken seals and joints, often pushing blockages further into the system. A better long-term solution is professional intervention.
Even with good habits and regular at-home maintenance, a professional drain clean once a year remains one of the best ways to keep your plumbing in excellent condition. Over time, hardened deposits known as biofilm and calcified limescale cannot be completely cleared with household methods. High pressure water jetting, electro-mechanical cleaning, and CCTV inspections allow drainage engineers to identify and clear issues that are invisible from the surface.
Drainage professionals use diagnostic tools like push-rod cameras and remote access video systems to inspect pipework for cracks, obstructions, and root intrusion. These are the types of problems that cause recurring blockages and slow drains even after repeated DIY attempts. Booking a professional clean not only restores your pipes to full diameter but also gives you the chance to catch issues before they become expensive repairs.
Local engineers like those at 24hrs Drainage Reading offer flexible appointments, emergency services, and advice on routine maintenance that suits your property type. Whether it’s a tenanted flat, detached home, or commercial unit, regular servicing makes a real difference in performance and reliability.
Drain-by-Drain Maintenance Guide
Cleaning frequency often depends on the type of fixture and how frequently it is used. Here is a breakdown of typical problem areas in homes across the UK:
Kitchen sink
Kitchen drains are vulnerable to grease, fat, and food particles. Even with a food catcher in place, residue sticks to internal pipe surfaces. Monthly flushing with boiling water and the occasional enzyme cleaner is a good rule of thumb. Avoid pouring fats and cooking oils down the sink, as they solidify and cause fatbergs within the drainage system.
Bathroom sink and bath
Soap scum, toothpaste, and hair combine to form thick, sticky deposits. Fitting a hair trap in the plughole and flushing the drain every few weeks with hot water or a vinegar mix helps reduce build-up. Showers and baths often benefit from fortnightly attention due to more water flow and product use.
Toilets
Toilet pipes are designed to carry waste and water efficiently, but scale build-up and foreign items can cause blockages. Cleaning toilet drains every three to four months with a low impact cleaner helps reduce the risk of blockages. Wet wipes, sanitary items, and excess paper should never be flushed, as these are common culprits in domestic blockages.
Utility and washing machine drains
Washing powder, fabric softeners, and lint create sludge in utility drains. These often go unnoticed until they cause standing water or a musty smell in the laundry area. Check filters and run a cleaner through the system every couple of months.
Pro Tip: Don’t ignore gurgling sounds in your pipes. They’re often the first sign of a partial blockage that can soon become a major problem.
If you are regularly using DIY methods and still dealing with slow drainage or recurring smells, it is a sign that something more serious is going on. Gurgling sounds in sinks and baths, unpleasant smells that return shortly after cleaning, or water that drains slower than usual all point to issues deeper in the system.
Another clear sign is water backing up into sinks or showers. This indicates a blockage further along the drainage route that needs to be cleared by a professional. A thorough inspection using a CCTV camera will quickly identify the cause and exact location of the obstruction.
If you notice any signs of dampness near your plumbing or experience sudden increases in water bills, it could be due to a hidden leak. Catching these issues early prevents more serious damage and protects your property.
Book a CCTV Drain Survey Today
dentify hidden problems before they cause damage. Fast service across Berkshire.
When your drains are clear and working properly, everything in your home runs more smoothly. Water drains away faster, unpleasant smells are kept at bay, and the risk of sudden plumbing issues is much lower. Consistent drain maintenance also increases the lifespan of your pipework and reduces the likelihood of corrosion or collapse.
Regular cleaning also saves money in the long term. Fixing a blocked or damaged pipe is far more expensive than preventing the issue in the first place. For landlords, regular drain servicing can help avoid tenant complaints and emergency call-outs, which are often more costly than planned maintenance.
You will also notice an improvement in your home’s hygiene and air quality. Blocked or slow drains often harbour bacteria and mould, which can affect indoor health. Keeping the system clean supports a healthier living environment.
A standard clean will clear away surface-level build-up, but if you are dealing with repeat blockages or suspect something more serious, a CCTV drain survey is worth considering. These surveys use a waterproof camera that feeds live images back to a monitor, helping engineers identify the exact location and cause of the problem. From collapsed sections to root ingress and pipe displacement, this technology takes out the guesswork.
For homeowners in Reading, CCTV surveys are especially useful in older properties where pipe layouts may be unclear. They are also recommended before buying a new home or after renovation work to ensure there is no accidental damage to the drainage system.
Professionally conducted surveys from trusted services like 24hrs Drainage Reading come with a full video report and repair recommendations. This can save time and money while giving you full confidence in the state of your drains.
There is growing awareness around the impact of household chemicals on the environment, and your drainage habits play a part. Traditional chemical drain cleaners release harsh substances that not only corrode pipes over time but can also harm aquatic ecosystems when flushed into water systems.
Eco-friendly alternatives use enzyme or bacterial formulas to naturally break down organic waste. These are safe for septic systems, biodegradable, and widely available in supermarkets or online. Regular use of enzyme-based cleaners helps maintain clear drains without risking long-term damage.
Simple steps such as using boiling water instead of harsh chemicals, placing strainers in plugholes, and properly disposing of oils and wipes can also contribute to a more sustainable approach. Keeping your drains clear does not have to cost the planet. Sustainable methods offer an effective, long-term solution that supports both plumbing health and environmental responsibility.
Having a drainage company that understands your local area makes a big difference. 24hrs Drainage in Reading offers more than just tools and technicians. The team has real knowledge of the pipework layouts, soil types, and common issues specific to the Reading area. That insight allows for faster diagnosis and more accurate repairs.
Their engineers are qualified, insured, and trained in the latest drain cleaning and inspection techniques. Whether you need high pressure jetting, root cutting, or a drain survey, they arrive with everything required to get the job done right first time. The company operates with full transparency, offering upfront pricing and clear explanations of any work that is needed.
As a local business, 24hrs Drainage also values long-term relationships with its customers. They provide support for homeowners, landlords, commercial kitchens, and property managers. Repeat customers often benefit from routine service plans that reduce costs and avoid future emergencies.
Worried About Drain Leaks or Odours?
We provide leak detection, pipe repair and drainage diagnostics you can trust.
Blocked drains rarely wait for a convenient time. Whether it is a Sunday evening, bank holiday or early morning, 24hrs Drainage in Reading is available every day of the year. Fast response is crucial when water is backing up into your home or foul smells are coming from the sink.
Their emergency team responds quickly to drain-related problems including collapsed pipes, severe blockages, and flooding. Vehicles are equipped with jetting units, inspection equipment, and pipe repair tools so they can begin resolving the issue as soon as they arrive.
If you are dealing with standing water, slow flushing toilets, or strange noises from your plumbing, call the team immediately. They will assess the problem, explain your options, and work efficiently to restore your drains to proper working order. You can find contact details and request a call-out directly at 24hrs Drainage Reading.
Rather than waiting for a blockage to disrupt your day, regular maintenance is the most reliable way to keep drains working smoothly. With a preventative care plan, you schedule inspections and cleaning at intervals that match your property’s usage. This helps reduce emergency call-outs and protects against avoidable damage.
24hrs Drainage in Reading offers scheduled maintenance packages that suit everything from private homes to large commercial sites. These plans include routine cleaning, CCTV inspections, and early detection of developing issues. Having a plan in place means you do not have to remember when your last service was carried out. The team contacts you when your next visit is due.
For landlords, regular inspections reduce the chance of tenant complaints or property damage. For commercial kitchens, scheduled servicing ensures compliance with hygiene regulations and keeps your business running without interruption.
Many homeowners and businesses across Reading have relied on 24hrs Drainage for years. One customer on London Road praised the team for arriving within the hour after a kitchen sink backup and clearing the system without disruption. Another in Caversham said they were impressed by how quickly the engineers identified a cracked pipe with a CCTV survey and repaired it the same day.
A local café owner said regular maintenance from 24hrs Drainage helped them avoid repeated closures due to drain smells. Landlords have also shared that preventative plans have saved them money by catching tree root ingress early. Read our google reviews to see for yourself what our customers say.Â
Myths about drain cleaning
There are a few common misconceptions that often lead people to ignore signs of developing problems. One of the biggest myths is that you only need to clean a drain if it blocks. In reality, waiting for a full blockage can cause pressure to build inside pipes, leading to leaks and potential flooding.
Another widespread belief is that bleach will clear a clogged drain. While bleach may reduce smells temporarily, it does not break down grease or solid matter and is not designed for drain clearance. Over time, bleach can actually weaken seals and damage older pipes.
Some people think that slow drainage is normal in older homes. Slow drains are always a sign that waste or scale is building up. It is important not to accept sluggish flow as standard.
Finally, flushing wipes labelled as flushable remains a major cause of blockages. Despite marketing claims, most do not break down in water and can accumulate quickly in pipe bends and junctions.
Taking regular care of your drains can prevent avoidable damage, save money, and keep your home running smoothly. Monthly cleaning with natural methods, combined with an annual professional service, is enough for most homes. Properties with higher usage or older pipework may benefit from more frequent checks.
If you notice any signs like slow flow, bad smells, or unusual sounds from your plumbing, it is time to act. Professional inspections and cleaning services from a local team like 24hrs Drainage in Reading give you the reassurance that your drains are in good shape.
Preventative maintenance is always better than dealing with a crisis. With the right support and a regular schedule, you can avoid emergency repairs and extend the life of your plumbing system.
24hrs Drainage Limited
33 Falmouth Rd, Reading RG2 8QR
0800 020 9198
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday : Open and available 24 hours per day
Drain Services
Contact Us
If You’re Dealing With Blocked Drains Or Require Drain Repairs, You’ve Come To The Right Destination. Contact Our Team Today At 0800 0209198 For Professional Guidance And A Complimentary, No-Obligation Quote!
We are the premier providers of comprehensive drainage solutions in Reading and throughout Berkshire. With years of experience and a dedicated team of experts, we are your trusted partners for all your domestic and commercial drainage needs.
By subscribing, I agree for my data to be stored and used to receive newsand offers from 24hrs Drainage.
