How to Spot Hidden Drainage Issues in Your Home
Drain problems aren’t always obvious. In fact, the worst ones are usually the quietest—lurking under floors, behind walls, or buried deep underground. One day, it’s a musty smell or a slow-draining sink. Next thing you know? You’ve got damp creeping up the walls or a flooded garden.
The good news? Most of these issues give you a few early clues—if you know what to look for. This guide is here to help you spot those signs before things spiral into full-blown chaos. And don’t worry: some fixes are simple enough to tackle yourself.
Why Drainage Problems Often Stay Hidden
A lot of your drainage system lives out of sight—running beneath concrete, tucked away behind cupboards, or buried in the garden. So, it makes sense that problems don’t always show up straight away.
Early signs can be vague. A bit of mould near the skirting board might seem like condensation. A weird gurgle from the toilet? Could be air in the system—or a sign of something more serious.
Older homes are even trickier. Victorian and Edwardian properties often have original pipework—usually clay—which means more chance of cracks, tree roots getting in, or joints failing over time.
Signs to Watch Out For
If you’re wondering whether something’s off, here are some of the classic warning signs of hidden drainage trouble:
Damp or Mould
- Found around skirting boards, ceilings, or near kitchens and bathrooms
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- Mould that keeps coming back, even after cleaning
Gurgling Noises
- Happens when you flush the loo or empty a sink
- Sounds like trapped air trying to escape
- Often a sign of partial blockages or ventilation problems
Water Draining Slowly
- A single slow drain could be a local clog
- But if it’s happening in more than one place? That suggests a bigger issue
Bad Smells
- Especially around internal drains or outside gullies
- Often smells like sewage or damp
- It might be worse after rain or in warm weather
Overflowing Manholes or Drains Outside
- If surface drains overflow in light rain, you’ve likely got a blockage
- Puddles that stick around for days are another red flag
Cracks in Brickwork or Floors
- Particularly around doors, windows, or near drains
- Could be linked to leaking pipes affecting ground stability
Strange Spots in the Garden
- Extra-green patches of grass? Might be sewage acting as fertiliser
- Soft ground or unexpected dips could mean collapsed drains
DIY Fixes vs When to Call in a Pro
Not everything needs a specialist straight away. Here’s a rough guide:
You can probably sort it yourself if:
- A single toilet or sink is blocked
- You’ve spotted leaves or debris covering outdoor drains
- A drain smells off, but improves after cleaning
- Water drains slowly, but speeds up after using a plunger or drain snake
Call in the professionals if:
- Multiple drains are slow at the same time
- There’s a smell of sewage that won’t shift
- You see cracks, garden sinkholes, or signs of subsidence
- Drains keep blocking even after clearing them
- You’ve had sewage back up into the house
For situations like these, professional drainage repairs can make all the difference.
What’s a CCTV Drainage Survey—and Why It Helps
When it’s not clear what’s going on underground, a CCTV drainage survey can take the guesswork out.
Here’s how it works: a small waterproof camera is fed into your drainage system, capturing footage from the inside. It picks up cracks, collapses, root damage—you name it. Everything gets recorded and reviewed, so you know exactly what’s wrong and where.
Best part? No digging. It’s quick, clean, and helps you avoid expensive mistakes by diagnosing the issue right the first time.
When to Consider a Drain Mapping Survey
If your home’s been extended, converted, or you’re just not sure where your drains run, a drain mapping survey could save you a lot of future hassle.
It provides a detailed layout of your drain system, including pipe routes, depths, and connections. Useful if you’re planning building work—or if you suspect shared or illegal drains.
It’s especially helpful in older houses, where records might be missing or outdated.
Don’t Leave It Too Long
Drainage problems rarely fix themselves. The sooner you act, the easier—and cheaper—it is to deal with. A blocked gully or minor leak might take 30 minutes to sort out now, but leave it a few months, and you could be facing foundation damage or a costly garden excavation.
If something doesn’t seem right, or you’ve had more than one issue pop up, it’s worth calling in a drainage expert for a proper look.
Express Drainage Solutions offers everything from quick repairs to full system surveys. Get in touch with us today if you have a question about your drainage.