Guides in this category2 guides

Drainage and Sewerage

Blocked drains, smells, traps and vents — why water is not draining and what to do about it.

Drain and Sewer Smells in a Flat: How to Find the Source and Stop Them

A rotten-egg or sewage smell from a floor trap, basin or toilet usually means something has broken the barrier between your room and the building's drains. This guide explains how that barrier works, how to trace the smell to its source and which fixes you can safely do yourself.

15 min read · DIY-friendly

Blocked Drains in Flats: How to Find the Blockage and Clear It Safely

A sink that empties slowly, a flooded shower floor or water rising out of a floor trap when someone upstairs flushes all mean a drain is blocked. This guide shows how to find the blockage, clear what you safely can, and spot when the building's shared pipes are at fault.

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This guide is general information. Have gas, structural and live electrical work done by a qualified, licensed professional. Your building’s rules and committee decisions take precedence over anything written here.