Ever walked into work to find your shop floor underwater? As drainage specialists working across Essex, Kent, and London, we've seen it all.
Today, we're pulling back the curtain on some lesser-known drainage issues that could be lurking beneath your feet.
Those lovely mature trees lining your property? Their roots might be causing more trouble than you'd think.
Last month, we helped a shop owner in Basildon who couldn't understand why his drains kept backing up.
The culprit? A massive root system that had quietly cracked through the pipes over years.
The fix wasn't cheap, but catching it early saved his stock room from flooding.
Here's something that might surprise you - grease doesn't just disappear when it goes down the drain.
We recently tackled a massive blockage at a small restaurant in Kent.
Years of cooking oil had created what we call a 'fatberg' - imagine a solid mass the size of your fist just sitting in the pipes.
Our high-pressure water jetting made quick work of it, but prevention would have been much easier.
Building work nearby? Watch out. We've lost count of the times we've found construction debris in commercial drains.
Another call-out we dealt with was our CCTV survey revealed chunks of concrete in a London office block's drainage system.
The builders had gone, but their 'legacy' remained.
Quick tip:
if there's construction around your property, get your drains checked afterwards.
That small damp patch you've been ignoring? It might be telling you something important.
One of our customers in Essex ignored a tiny wet spot on their warehouse floor for months.
When they finally called us, we discovered a cracked main drain that had been slowly undermining the building's foundations.
The lesson? Small signs can point to big problems.
Winter isn't actually the worst time for drainage problems - it's spring.
When heavy rains hit soil that's still hard from winter frost, the water needs somewhere to go.
Unfortunately, that 'somewhere' is often through any weak point in your drainage system. We see a spike in emergency calls every March and April.
Our team of engineers has seen how small problems can escalate quickly.
That's why we offer 24/7 service across Essex, Kent, and London - because drainage problems don't stick to office hours.
And yes, that's without any call-out charges.
Prevention beats emergency repairs every time. Our CCTV surveys can spot issues before they become disasters, and regular maintenance costs far less than emergency repairs.
Plus, with our NADC accreditation, you know you're in safe hands.
If any of these issues sound familiar, or you'd just like peace of mind, give us a ring on 01268 527335.
We're based in Langdon Hills, but cover the whole region.
And yes, we take all major cards and digital payments - even Apple Pay for those who've left their wallet at the office.
Remember, when it comes to drainage, what you can't see can definitely hurt your wallet. Better to deal with a small issue today than a big one tomorrow.
Geoff Ward
All Rights Reserved | Commercial Drainage Services Essex