DrainUK topic library

Drainage inside the home

Toilets, showers, sinks and waste pipes.

Choose your drainage question

Read the relevant guide to understand the clues, alternatives and what a contractor should investigate.

A shared branch restriction can divert wastewater towards the lowest connected appliance.

Air displacement and pressure changes in the shared waste system can disturb WC trap water.

Rats can travel through sewer systems and may exploit damaged pipework or unsealed openings.

A washing machine standpipe or floor gully may lose its water seal or have a faulty connection.

Low-level toilets may be the first to show a downstream restriction on a shared drain.

Start with the symptom you can see, rather than assuming an underground pipe is broken.