Response Team

Our Response Team supports caretakers and manages drainage issues during both regular hours and emergency situations. They offer essential backup when caretakers are absent or when additional help is needed.

Main tasks

• Covering for caretakers when they are away
• Responding to emergency cleaning needs
• Handling areas with high levels of anti-social behaviour
• Removing graffiti and bulky items
• Jet-washing paving and external walls

The team also deals with internal and external blockages, which include:

• Blockages in kitchens, sinks, baths washbasins and toilets
• Clearing blockages in communal areas, like landing gullies and stack pipes
• Clearing blockages in main drainage and rainwater systems
• Repairing backsurge to properties and utilities
• Using CCTV to inspect stacks pipes and drainage systems
• Drying up flooded areas from backsurge to utilities
• Repairing or replacing manhole and gully covers
• Regular cleaning of drainage system

To report blocked sink, bath or toilet please contact us on 020 7364 5015.

Common causes for external drain blockage

• Pouring cooking fats, oils and grease. These can solidify in the pipes and block the flow.
• Flushing the wrong items like nappies, sanitary products, cotton buds and newspapers. These do not break down and clog the pipes.
• Pouring cement and plaster down drains. These harden and block the pipes.
• Pouring car oil into drains: This is illegal and can severely damage drains.
• Damaged or broken  pipes can also cause blockages.

Kitchen Sink Tips: How to Prevent and Clear Blockages

Maintaining your kitchen sink’s drainage system is an important part of keeping your home running smoothly. Often, a blocked sink can be resolved with a few simple steps before contacting us for help. Here’s how you can prevent and deal with minor blockages yourself.

How to prevent blockages

1.      Avoid pouring grease or fat down the sink: Let it cool, then put it in the bin.

2.      Use a sink strainer: Catch food scraps before they go down the drain. This simple step can help prevent blockages.

3.      Clean the sink regularly: Wash away food scraps and run hot water to clear any remaining debris that could build up.

4.      Be mindful what you put down the drain. Avoid washing down coffee grounds, cooking oil or large food scraps as they can block pipes over time.

How to unblock a kitchen sink

If your kitchen sink is draining slowly or has become completely blocked, try these simple steps to clear it yourself before contacting us for help:

1. Boiling water: Pour the boiling water slowly down the drain to clear the grease or soap build up.
2. Plunger: Use a plunger to create suction and shift the blockage. Cover overflow holes to ensure effective plunging.
3. Baking soda and vinegar: Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes, then rinse it with hot water.
4. Check the U-Bend: Sometimes blockages occur in the U-shaped pipe beneath the sink (the U-bend). Place a bucket under the U-shaped pipe and the sink, unscrew it, and remove any debris or buildup. Reattach when clean. Be sure to turn off the water supply before doing this.
5. Plumbing snake: Use a plumbing snake (also known as a drain auger) to clear blockages deeper in the pipes. Gently push the snake into the drain and rotate it to break up the clog.

When to call us

If your kitchen sink is still blocked after trying these steps, please get in touch with us. Our team will assess the situation and arrange for a repair if necessary.

You should contact us if:

• water is backing up into your kitchen or other parts of your home
• there is an unpleasant smell or ongoing drainage problems
• you notice any leaks.

Please do not use chemical drain cleaners as they can damage pipes and are unsafe.

We aim to resolve blockages within 10 working days, although some issues may take longer if there is a bigger underlying problem.

To report a blocked drain, sink, bath or toilet please call us on 020 7364 5015.