Blocked drains don’t always start with water flooding across your floor — they creep in quietly. A smell here. A gurgle there. At EPM, we’ve seen it all across Exeter, and catching the early signs can save you a lot of stress (and a costly emergency callout).

Here’s how to spot the warning signs — and what to do before it becomes a bigger issue.

1. Gurgling Sounds After You Flush or Drain Water

That bubbling or gurgling noise? It’s your drains trying to breathe through a blockage.
Trapped air in your pipework is usually a sign that water isn’t flowing freely.

This often shows up after flushing the toilet or emptying a bath or sink. Left unchecked, it can lead to standing water, bad smells, or worse.

2. Bad Smells Near Sinks, Toilets or Drains

A persistent smell — especially near kitchen sinks or downstairs toilets — is often the first sign of a problem.
That “eggy” or stale odour means trapped food waste, grease, or even solid build-up in the pipes.

🛠 We get a lot of calls in summer when warmer temperatures bring those smells to the surface faster.

3. Slow Drainage in Showers, Baths or Basins

If the water’s taking its time to drain — even after you’ve cleaned the plughole — it’s a likely sign of a developing blockage deeper down the system.

This is especially common in bathrooms where soap scum, hair and limescale combine into a sludgy mess.

4. Toilets That Don’t Flush Properly (Or Water Levels Rising)

If your toilet water rises unusually high before draining slowly — or struggles to flush completely — this could be a partial blockage in the waste pipe or soil stack.

A total blockage could follow, so don’t ignore the warning signs.

5. Standing Water Outside or Overflowing Drains

If it’s been dry — but you’ve got standing water around an outdoor drain or gully — that’s a major red flag.

Leaf build-up, fat deposits or root ingress (which we see a lot around older Exeter homes) can all lead to backups.

Prevention Tips: How to Avoid a Blocked Drain

Here’s what we always recommend:

• Avoid pouring fat, oil or grease down the sink

• Fit simple hair catchers in shower drains

• Don’t flush wipes, cotton buds or sanitary items

• Give your outdoor drains a quick clean each season

• Watch for tree roots near older pipe runs — especially in terraced or period properties

When to Call in the Pros

If DIY remedies (like boiling water or gentle drain cleaners) don’t help — or you’re noticing signs in more than one room — it’s time to call us in.

We offer:

• Drain camera inspections

• High-pressure jetting

• Repairs and root removal

• Local, fast call-outs in Exeter & surrounding areas

No guesswork. No unnecessary digging.

Final Thought from EPM

Most blocked drains can be caught early with a bit of awareness. If something doesn’t smell right — literally or figuratively — don’t ignore it. A small blockage today could become a major issue tomorrow.

Want us to take a look? Just give us a shout — we’ll sort it quickly and cleanly.