What Causes a Sewer Blockage?
Sewer blockages can happen for several reasons. Some build up gradually over time, while others appear suddenly and cause immediate disruption. Finding the cause helps us recommend a longer-term solution, rather than only clearing the immediate blockage.
Common causes of blocked sewers include:
- Fat, oil and grease building up inside the pipework
- Wet wipes, sanitary products and other non-flushable items
- Tree root ingress
- Collapsed or damaged sewer pipes
- Ground movement affecting underground pipework
- Scale, silt and debris collecting inside the sewer
- Poor installation or damaged pipe joints
- Heavy use in commercial or multi-occupancy buildings
A quick surface-level fix may clear the blocked sewer temporarily, but it may not solve the underlying drainage problem. If the same problem returns, there may be damage, root ingress or a structural fault inside the pipe. Our engineers can investigate the cause and recommend the right sewer unblocking, blocked drains support or repair service for your property.

