Emergency Drain Services explained
A drain emergency means sewage in the house, water rising from a drain or a toilet that backs up. These problems need quick, calm action. The steps below help you stay safe while you arrange help.
The request form passes your details on so an engineer can respond. The engineer runs a separate business, so the engineer sets the arrival time, the price and any guarantee. Agree all three before work starts, because they differ between engineers.
What counts as an emergency
Mark a request urgent when the problem is serious or getting worse. These are the usual signs, although you know your own home best. Mark it urgent if you are unsure.
- Sewage coming up through a toilet, bath or floor drain
- Water rising from a gully or manhole near the building
- Every toilet in the house backing up at once
- Flooding that reaches a living area or electrical items
A single slow sink or one blocked toilet is usually not an emergency, yet it still needs a fix. In that case, read about blocked drains and send a normal request. Say what you see.
Stay safe while you wait
Keep people and pets away from standing sewage while you wait. Open windows if you can do so safely. Wash your hands well after any contact.
Never touch electrical items while standing in water. Turn off the power at the fuse board only if you can reach it without stepping in water. Stop using toilets, sinks and washing machines, since more water makes the spill worse.
Is it your drain or a public sewer?
The owner of the pipe is responsible for the fix. Scottish Water must provide the public sewers, and Citizens Advice Scotland says Scottish Water repairs them, while your own drain is your responsibility, up to the point where it joins the sewer.
If the water comes from a public sewer, report it to Scottish Water. However, if you rent from Dundee City Council, the council says to report a blocked or defective drain to its Customer Service Team or any Housing Office. Keep a note of who you contacted.
Insurance and sewer flooding
Citizens Advice Scotland says building insurance typically covers damage from sewer flooding. It also says you may claim compensation from Scottish Water if it was negligent. Check your policy, since terms differ, tell your insurer early and keep photos of the damage.
Typical UK out-of-hours costs
These figures come from published UK cost guides. They are not Dundee quotes, yet they show how out-of-hours work can add to a bill. The two guides define the charge differently.
| Charge | Range the guide gives | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard call-out | £50 to £100 | MyJobQuote |
| Emergency call-out | £100 to £200 | MyJobQuote |
| Evening extra | £50 to £120 on top of the job | Book A Builder |
| Weekend or bank holiday extra | £100 to £250 on top of the job | Book A Builder |
Ask what the call-out charge covers, and ask for a written quote before work starts, since charges differ. For the two main kinds of emergency, read flooding emergency help or sewage emergency help. Both pages cover safety steps.
Local pages for this service
Each local page covers this service for one town. Start with emergency drain help in Dundee, which is the main page. If you are further out, read urgent drain problems in Arbroath or Forfar emergency drain guide. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formEmergency Drain Services questions answered
What should I do if my drains are blocked and sewage is coming up?
Keep people and pets away, open windows if it is safe and stop using water while you wait. Then mark a request urgent through the form. If the water comes from a public sewer, report it to Scottish Water.
How do I report a blocked drain or sewer to Scottish Water?
Contact Scottish Water through its website and describe where the problem is. Give the road name and the nearest house number. Scottish Water maintains and repairs the public sewers, while your own drain is your responsibility.
Is a blocked toilet an emergency?
Not usually. If the toilet is the only fault and the water is not rising, stop flushing and try a plunger. However, treat it as urgent if sewage spreads, if the whole house backs up or if it is your only toilet. Use your judgement about what feels safe.
Are blocked drains covered by home insurance?
Citizens Advice Scotland says building insurance typically covers damage from sewer flooding. Cover for clearing a block in your own drain still varies between policies. Read your policy and check the excess before you pay for work.
Can you promise how fast someone will arrive?
No. Although you can send a request 24/7, the engineer who takes your job sets the arrival time. Ask for an estimate when the engineer replies, and ask whether an out-of-hours charge applies. Agree it in writing.