Case Study - Severe Drain Blockage Resolved in Loughton

How BDS Drainage Resolved a Severe Blockage in Loughton

If you know Loughton, you’ll know it’s a lovely mix of leafy streets, older houses and those little surprises you only notice once you start digging around in the garden… or, in our case, lifting manhole covers.

So when we got a call about foul waste gushing out of an inspection chamber — and a smell that could knock you sideways — we knew this wasn’t going to be a quick “five-minute blockage” job.

At BDS Drainage, we’ve been unblocking drains across London and the South East since 2009. We’re highly rated on Google and Trustpilot because we don’t panic, even when a customer tells us they can smell the problem before they can see it. And honestly, in some situations, that’s for the best.

The Problem: Foul Waste Pouring Out of a Manhole

The customer explained that every time water was used in the house, waste started forcing its way up and out of the inspection chamber outside. Now, if you’ve ever dealt with a blocked drain where the system is under pressure, you’ll know the “gush” moment is never pleasant.

Their biggest worry wasn’t just the mess — it was the horrible smell filling the area. They wanted it sorted properly, and fast.

This wasn’t a simple blockage inside a sink trap or a bit of fluff caught in the shower waste. This was deeper in the drainage system, and somewhere between the inspection chambers leading to the main sewer line.

How we resolved the blockage

Step One: Investigating the Manholes With CCTV Drain Cameras

To find the blockage, we lifted the surrounding manholes and examined each one. With drainage, guessing gets you nowhere. That’s why we rely heavily on CCTV cameras — they show us exactly what’s happening underground without ripping up half the garden.

The camera feed confirmed what we suspected: the blockage was lodged further down the system, causing foul water to build up and eventually force its way upwards. That’s where the gushing and the smell were coming from.

The customer kept popping out every so often to see what was happening, and honestly, we prefer it that way. It’s reassuring for people to see the process rather than imagining the worst.

Step Two: Using a Petrol-Engine Powered Water Jetter to Clear the Blockage

Once we located the obstruction, we brought out the heavy gear — our petrol-engine powered water jetter. This thing isn’t your average pressure washer; it’s built to slice through fat deposits, compacted waste, wipes, silt, and pretty much anything else London and Essex drains have to offer.

We fed the jetter through the pipe and worked it towards the blockage. You could feel it resisting at first, and then suddenly — that satisfying moment when the jetter breaks through. Within seconds, the waste that had been sitting stagnant started rushing toward the mains where it belonged.

The manhole level dropped quickly. That’s always the moment when the customer lets out a relieved sigh.

Step Three: Cleaning the Surrounding Area & Eliminating the Smell

With the blockage cleared, there was still the aftermath to deal with. Wastewater doesn’t exactly leave a pleasant scent behind. So we used the jetter and a full wash-down to clean the chamber, the surrounding ground, and anywhere else that needed attention.

It didn’t just look better — it smelled better too. And in a job like this, that makes a huge difference.

The customer later said they really appreciated the clean-up, especially after seeing the state everything was in before.

Why This Job Was Important

This wasn’t just a blocked drain. It was a situation that, left unresolved, could have caused:

serious odours
flooding around the property
further damage to the drainage system
contaminated water exposure

The tricky part was locating the exact point of the blockage. Without CCTV cameras and the correct jetting equipment, this job would have taken far longer — and been far messier.

Another Successful Drainage Job in Loughton

Since 2009, we’ve handled every kind of drainage emergency you can imagine — from minor sink blockages to deep sewer disruptions like this one. Jobs like this highlight why homeowners trust us: we turn up, we diagnose properly, we fix the issue, and we leave everything better than we found it.
That’s the BDS Drainage approach.

Need Help With a Blocked Drain? Get a Free Quote Today

If you’re dealing with foul smells, overflowing manholes or any kind of blocked drainage system, we’re here to help. BDS Drainage serves Loughton, Epping, Chigwell, Woodford, London, and the entire South East.

Case Study - Horrible Smell of Water Gushing Out

How BDS Drainage Resolved a Severe Blockage in Loughton

The Problem: Foul Waste Pouring Out of a Manhole

How We Ensured the Problem Was Fully Resolved