DRAINAGE SERVICES · TONBRIDGE · KENT
Drainage Services in Tonbridge & Across Kent
Smarter Drainage provides the full range of domestic and commercial drainage services across Tonbridge and a 20-mile radius of West Kent and the surrounding areas. CHAS & SafeContractor accredited. 5-star rated across 55 Google reviews. Tom personally answers the phone.
Detailed guides to our main drainage services
Each of these pages explains what the service involves, how the work is carried out, when it is the right choice and when it is not.
BLOCKED DRAINS
Blocked Drain Unblocking in Tonbridge
A blocked drain is one of the most disruptive problems a homeowner faces. One minute your kitchen sink is draining fine; the next it is backing up, smelling, and refusing to clear. We get the call at all hours across Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, and the wider West Kent area - and the story is almost always the same. The cause has been building up slowly, and clearing it properly requires the right equipment and a methodical approach.
What causes blocked drains? The four most common causes we see in Kent homes are fat and grease solidifying in the pipe (the UK’s most persistent drain problem), wet wipes and sanitary products - none of which break down as claimed on the packaging - tree root ingress, especially in the older clay-pipe drainage common to Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, and collapsed or misaligned pipe joints that have shifted over time.
How we clear it. We inspect first. That means putting a camera in the pipe before we decide on a method - not just pushing rods in and hoping. Once we know what we are dealing with, we either clear by high-pressure water jetting or mechanical rodding, depending on the nature of the blockage. Most domestic blockages are cleared on the same visit.
When you need a follow-up. If the blockage is caused by a structural issue - a cracked pipe, root damage, or a collapsed section - clearing it is only half the job. We will recommend a CCTV survey to confirm what is happening below ground, and advise on the right repair option. Catching this early prevents the problem returning within weeks.
Typical cost: Standard domestic blockage cleared by rodding or jetting, £80 to £150. Emergency domestic out-of-hours call-outs from £100 to £180. Free no-obligation quote before any work begins.
Signs Your Drain Is Blocked
- Water draining slowly or not at all from sinks, baths, or toilets
- Gurgling sounds from drains or pipes when water drains
- Unpleasant sewage or sulphur smell from drains or manholes
- Water backing up into a bath or sink when another fixture is used
- Visible pooling or flooding around external drain covers
- Raised water level in the inspection chamber (manhole)
If you see any of these, call Tom on 07572 433507. Same-day appointments are usually available across Tonbridge and the surrounding area.
CCTV DRAIN SURVEYS
CCTV Drain Surveys in Tonbridge & Kent
We push a camera down the pipe to see exactly what is wrong before we touch anything. That is not marketing language - it is simply the right way to diagnose a drain. High-pressure jetting a collapsed pipe does not fix it; CCTV inspection first means we recommend the correct repair from the start, not the most obvious one.
We use push-rod and crawler cameras that record footage as they travel through the pipe. Every survey produces a full written report with timestamped footage identifying every defect, its location, and its severity. This report is suitable for homebuyer conveyancing packs, insurance claims, and drainage authority submissions.
When you need a CCTV drain survey:
- Buying a property in Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, or nearby - especially an older home with clay pipework
- Recurring blockages that keep coming back within weeks of clearing
- Suspected pipe collapse, subsidence, or ground movement near drainage runs
- Insurance claim requiring documented evidence of drain condition
- Commercial or rental property due diligence
- Before any drainage repair to confirm what is actually needed
Homebuyer pre-purchase surveys. Victorian and Edwardian clay drainage across Tonbridge and Sevenoaks can be 100 years old. Pre-purchase CCTV surveys reveal root ingress, fractured joints, and misaligned sections that a standard home survey will not pick up. We work with conveyancers and estate agents across West Kent and can usually turn around a report within 2-3 working days.
Typical cost: Basic CCTV survey from £100. Full homebuyer report with written drainage assessment and footage £200 to £350 depending on scope and pipe length.
NO-DIG TECHNOLOGY
No-Dig Drain Relining - CIPP Technology
Cracked, fractured, or root-damaged drain? You do not have to dig up your garden, your driveway, or your patio to fix it. CIPP - Cured-In-Place Pipe relining - is the modern, no-excavation solution for damaged drainage, and it is what we recommend in the majority of repair cases where the pipe structure is still broadly intact.
What is CIPP no-dig relining? A resin-impregnated flexible liner is inserted into the existing damaged pipe and inflated to press against the pipe wall. The resin is then cured in place - either by ambient temperature or with accelerated heat - creating a new, jointless pipe inside the old one. Once set, the result is a structurally independent liner that does not rely on the original pipe for its shape.
Why no-dig saves you money. Traditional excavation means digging up the drain run - which in a residential setting often means lifting a patio, breaking concrete, or cutting through a driveway that then needs reinstating. CIPP relining avoids all of that. The claimed cost saving versus dig-and-replace is up to 75%. Even accounting for the CCTV survey that should precede any relining job, the total cost is materially lower in most cases.
When is relining the right option? Relining works when the pipe retains its basic shape - cracked, fractured joints, root ingress, or minor deformation are all suitable candidates. Where a pipe has fully collapsed with more than around 40% deformation, traditional excavation may still be necessary. A CCTV survey beforehand confirms which approach is right for your drain.
Lifespan and pricing. The liner carries a claimed 50-plus-year lifespan. Relining pricing starts from approximately £65 per metre. The total cost depends on the diameter of the pipe, the length of the run to be lined, and access conditions. We always quote in full before any work starts.
75%
Cheaper than excavation
50+
Year claimed liner lifespan
Subject to Survey
Every reline quoted after a CCTV survey
HIGH-PRESSURE JETTING
High-Pressure Water Jetting
High-pressure water jetting is the most effective method for clearing stubborn blockages, grease accumulation, limescale build-up, and minor root intrusion. The jetting lance delivers water at controlled high pressure directly at the blockage - flushing it clear and cleaning the pipe walls at the same time.
No chemicals are used. The method is safe for standard domestic plastic and clay drainage, and for commercial pipework. It is particularly effective on grease-lined pipes in commercial kitchens and restaurant drainage systems, where chemical cleaners provide only temporary relief.
We often use jetting alongside a CCTV survey - camera first to diagnose, jet to clear, camera again to confirm the pipe is clean and structurally sound. This two-step approach is the professional standard and is what distinguishes a proper drainage company from a quick-clearance service.
When we use jetting: stubborn grease or fat build-up, scale deposits, recurring blockages that rodding has not resolved, pre-relining pipe preparation, and commercial drain maintenance contracts.
DRAIN REPAIRS
Drain Repairs - From Patch Repair to Full Replacement
Collapsed drain? Fractured pipe? Root damage that has opened a section of the pipe wall? We diagnose with CCTV before recommending any repair method. That is the first principle: knowing exactly what is wrong before committing to a solution.
Repair options range from a no-dig resin patch repair - one of our specialities, where we bond a resin patch over a short damaged section from inside the pipe - through to full excavation and pipe replacement where structural failure is too severe for a no-dig approach. We recommend no-dig relining wherever viable because it is faster, cheaper, and less disruptive. When excavation is the right call, we say so clearly, with the footage to show you why.
Every repair comes with a 12-month workmanship guarantee. If it is not right, we come back and fix it.
EMERGENCY DRAINAGE
Emergency Drain Unblocking
Tom answers the phone himself, so when you call 07572 433507 you are speaking directly to the person who will come out and do the work. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Outside those hours, leave a message and urgent calls are returned as soon as possible.
If you have a blocked drain that is causing flooding, sewage backing up into the property, or an overflowing manhole, that is an emergency. Do not wait until morning. Do not use drain unblocker products - they rarely work on serious blockages and can damage older clay pipework. Call Tom and he will assess the situation and get to you.
We cover Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Paddock Wood and the wider West Kent area.
New Drain Installation
New drainage pipe systems for extensions, new builds, soakaways, and French drains. We design the drainage run, carry out the excavation, and install to the correct fall and specification. Works alongside our groundworks team - one contractor, no coordination delays, no duplicate call-out costs. All new installations include a CCTV inspection on completion.
Gutter Repairs & Installation
Leaking joints, sagging lengths, blocked downpipes, and full roofline replacement. Blocked and damaged gutters cause damp penetration in the walls of Kent period homes - this is a structural issue, not just cosmetic. We repair individual sections or replace the full run including fascias and soffits. Real job photography of our operative using a high-reach lance at a period Kent terrace available on request.
Tree Root Removal from Drains
Tree root ingress is one of the most common causes of persistent drainage problems in Kent, particularly in Victorian clay and earthenware pipework. Roots find hairline cracks and grow inside the pipe over time, eventually blocking the flow entirely. We cut the roots using high-pressure jetting and mechanical cutting equipment, then carry out a CCTV inspection. In most cases we recommend CIPP relining immediately after - sealing the crack that let the roots in and preventing recurrence.
Toilet, Bath & Shower Unblocking
Blocked toilet, blocked bath, blocked shower? We unblock individual fixtures and investigate whether the cause is internal - hair, soap scum, or an object in the trap - or further down the drain connection. We also offer drain fly treatment for internal drains, where a biofilm build-up in the drain pipe is harbouring the flies rather than an external problem (as one of our Google reviewers, Sandra Cooper, experienced).
Planned Drain Maintenance
For landlords, letting agents, and commercial properties. A maintenance agreement replaces reactive emergency call-outs with scheduled, documented maintenance. Regular CCTV inspections, jetting, and written reports on a timetable you agree with us. Landlords in Kent with rental portfolios generally find it easier to keep drainage on a schedule than to deal with it reactively, and it leaves a dated record of what was inspected and what was found. Call Tom to discuss a programme for your property.
Sewage Treatment Plant Installation
Off mains drainage? We install and commission domestic and commercial sewage treatment plants, and upgrade old or failing septic tanks to fully compliant treatment plants that meet the current Environment Agency General Binding Rules. We handle siting, excavation, installation, electrical connection, commissioning and the drainage field as one job. Priced subject to a site survey.
No-Dig Resin Patch Repairs
This is one of the things we are known for. When a drain has a single cracked joint, a short fracture, or a displaced section in an otherwise sound pipe, you do not need to reline the whole run or dig anything up. We bond a resin-impregnated patch over the exact damaged section from inside the pipe and cure it in place. Fast, localised and no excavation. Priced subject to a site survey.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
Drainage Cost Guide - What to Expect
We provide a free no-obligation quote before starting any work. These are market-typical ranges to help you budget - your job may be lower depending on access and severity.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Standard blockage unblocking | £80 to £150 |
| With high-pressure jetting | £150 to £200 |
| Emergency domestic out-of-hours call-out | £100 to £180 |
| Basic CCTV drain survey | From £100 |
| Full CCTV survey with written report | £200 to £350 |
| No-dig CIPP drain relining | Subject to survey |
| No-dig resin patch repair | Subject to survey |
| Sewage treatment plant installation | Subject to survey |
Frequently Asked Questions - Drainage Services
OUR WORK
Real CCTV Drain Surveys
Real photos from our own jobs across Tonbridge and West Kent. We use professional CCTV cameras to inspect drains and sewers, pinpoint blockages, cracks and root ingress, and give you a clear picture of what is going on underground - on domestic, commercial and new-build sites.
Ready to Fix Your Drainage Problem?
Call Tom directly on 07572 433507 for a free no-obligation quote, 12-month guarantee on all work. CHAS & SafeContractor approved.