How to recognise a blocked pipe
- Water drains slowly or not at all
- Gurgling and bubbling in the drain, also elsewhere
- Unpleasant smells from the trap or drain
- Water rises in the shower or toilet when something is flushed elsewhere
- Damp patches on walls or floors near pipes
At the latest when several drains are affected at the same time, the blockage is no longer in the trap but deeper in the downpipe or underground line. Then household remedies no longer help – and chemicals do more harm than good.
Typical causes
In the kitchen it is almost always grease and food residue that settle in the pipe and harden. In the bathroom hair, soap residue and limescale build up. In the toilet wet wipes, hygiene products or too much paper cause the jam. In underground pipes and yard drains the most common causes are deposits, foreign objects, pipe offsets or ingrown tree roots. If in doubt, we find the cause with a camera inspection.
How we clear the blocked pipe
Depending on location and cause we use the drain auger with a suitable head, high-pressure jetting or, for roots, the pipe cutter. We work our way to the cause instead of just pushing the plug a bit further. Afterwards the water flows freely again – and we tell you honestly if a pipe has damage you should take care of.
What you can do until we arrive
- Don’t put any more water into the affected drain – not into neighbouring drains on the same line either.
- Don’t pour in chemical drain cleaners. They rarely help and make our work more dangerous.
- If water is rising in the basement: lift objects off the floor, avoid electricity near the floor.
- Call: 0179 915 09 39 – we come, also at night and at weekends.
We clear blocked pipes all over Berlin – from Neukölln via Kreuzberg, Tempelhof and Treptow to Spandau and Pankow – and in the surrounding area (Schönefeld, Großziethen, Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Teltow, Kleinmachnow, Stahnsdorf, Großbeeren, Ludwigsfelde, Potsdam, Königs Wusterhausen and more).
Frequently asked questions
How fast can you come for a blocked pipe?
In Berlin usually within an hour. You get a firm arrival time on the phone.
Is a plunger or auger from the DIY store enough?
For a light blockage directly in the trap sometimes yes. If the jam is deeper, you need professional augers with suitable heads or high pressure – otherwise you just push the plug further in.
Can a blocked pipe clear itself?
Very rarely. Usually it gets worse because more and more builds up at the narrow point. The earlier it is cleaned, the easier and cheaper it is.
Does insurance cover the costs?
Plain drain cleaning usually not. If the blockage causes water damage, household or building insurance may be responsible – we are happy to document it for you.