Blocked drains in Reading often begin with slow drainage, bad smells or water backing up into the property. These problems can affect homes and businesses across the town, especially where older pipework, heavy day to day usage and heavy rainfall place extra pressure on drainage systems.
We’re R.A.M Drainage Solutions. We work across Reading and the surrounding area, providing fast, professional drainage support when problems arise. Whether it is a blocked toilet, a blocked kitchen sink or an overflowing outside drain, our engineers will attend, identify the cause and restore flow as quickly as possible.
Drain blockages can happen for a number of reasons, from grease build up and debris accumulation to obstructions deeper within the pipework. Our engineers use professional drainage equipment to diagnose and clear blocked drains safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption.
We regularly deal with:
Our priority is to restore normal drainage quickly while identifying any underlying issue that may be causing the problem to return.
Drain emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. When a drainage issue starts causing flooding, sewage backing up or the risk of property damage, a quick response becomes essential. Thames Water says internal sewer flooding incidents require an urgent response, which reinforces the need to act fast when a blockage becomes severe.
R.A.M Drainage Solutions provide 24/7 emergency drainage services across Reading, helping to deal with urgent blockages and drainage failures before they cause more disruption.
Some drainage problems require deeper investigation. Our CCTV drain surveys in Reading allow us to inspect pipework internally, helping identify hidden faults, structural defects, and recurring blockage causes.
CCTV surveys are particularly useful for diagnosing:
Using specialist survey equipment, we can pinpoint the source of the problem and recommend the most suitable repair.
While many blocked drains can be cleared quickly, some problems need repair work to prevent repeat issues and longer term damage.
R.A.M Drainage Solutions provide:
Our aim is always to deliver a reliable repair that restores performance and reduces the chance of future disruption.
If sinks, baths or showers are taking longer than usual to empty, it could be a sign of a build-up in the pipe.
A strong, unpleasant smell near your drains often means waste is sitting where it shouldn’t.
Bubbling or gurgling noises from your plugholes or toilet can point to trapped air caused by a blockage.
If water comes back up after you flush or empty a sink, that’s a clear sign the drain is blocked somewhere down the line.
Water spilling from outdoor drain covers or gullies, especially after rain, usually means the system is struggling.
If the water level rises too high or doesn’t clear properly, the problem might not be the toilet itself — it could be a blockage further down.
If you are seeing any of these signs, it is worth getting the drains checked before the problem gets worse.
Reading has a recognised surface water flood risk, and council flood documents show that parts of the borough have experienced highway drainage and surface water sewer flooding. The council’s newer flood assessment also says increased rainfall affects surface water flood risk and drainage design.
Tree roots naturally grow towards moisture and can find their way into small cracks or joints in underground pipes. Once inside, they can restrict flow and cause recurring problems.
Older drainage systems can be more vulnerable to cracks, displaced joints and wear over time, all of which increase the likelihood of blockages and structural issues.
Natural settlement and ground movement can place stress on buried pipework, leading to fractures, misaligned joints and occasional collapse.
Periods of intense rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems, especially if pipes are partially restricted. This often results in slow drainage, backups, or surface flooding.
Fats, oils, food waste, soap residue and everyday debris gradually collect inside pipework, reducing capacity and increasing the risk of a blockage.
Wipes, sanitary products, paper towels and other unsuitable items are a common cause of sudden drain blockages and overflows.
We understand the kinds of drainage issues properties in Reading can face. That is why we:
Whether you are in Caversham, Tilehurst, Earley, Whitley, Southcote, Woodley or central Reading, the underlying drainage issues are often similar, even if the symptoms differ from property to property.
When drains block, time matters. Here’s why acting quickly makes all the difference.
Blocked drains can lead to water or sewage backing up into sinks, toilets or floors. The sooner you act, the more you can prevent serious damage to your home or property.
Standing water and waste build-up can carry bacteria and cause bad smells. Clearing blockages quickly helps keep your space safe and hygienic.
In places like pubs, hotels and shops across Salisbury, blocked drains can shut things down fast. Quick unblocking keeps your business running with little or no disruption.
R.A.M Drainage Solutions provide a full range of professional drainage services:
Blocked drains need fixing by a company that responds quickly, explains the issue clearly and carries out the work properly.
Here is what sets us apart:
We cover Reading and the surrounding area, so we can respond quickly when you need us.
When your drain is backing up, you need help quickly, not a long wait for a callback.
We provide straightforward pricing before work begins.
Our team uses professional drainage equipment, from CCTV systems to repair methods designed for longer term results.
We focus on honest advice, fast response times and reliable workmanship, whether the issue is a basic blockage or a more involved repair.
We’re proud to be rated 10/10 on Checkatrade by local homeowners, landlords and business owners. Real jobs, real reviews — read them for yourself and see why so many people come back to us.
EXCELLENT Based on 27 reviews Posted on Alice GrovesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very communicative, kept me updated throughout the process of arranging and carrying out a CCTV survey. Provided plenty of thorough explanation regarding the findings and a prompt report and quote sent over. Would definitely recommend RAM :)Posted on Connor FieldTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an issue with a drain blockage, the team managed to get out to me the same day within a few hours. 30 minutes later and there blockage was gone and all working perfectly again!Posted on Tom DaviesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Not often you get someone come and do some work without wondering A. Am I being ripped off? B. Is that extra work necessary? C. Am I getting quality? Have to say, RAM drains quoted half the price of someone else, did everything quoted for, plus a few extras which needed doing and got included in the price. (Such as a quick blast of the kitchen sink which was also having difficulty). Would call them again but am not expecting to need to.Posted on Alex HewittTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Friendly and affordable service, prompt to reply and no hidden charges.Posted on Alex PriceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliant. So helpful and informative. Would recommend.Posted on Spencer JohnsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Used RAM on two of our commercial properties and I’ve used them on a residential property also. Very efficient, communication was perfect. Fixed the issue each time and also provided some really good advice to avoid future issues. Really couldn’t recommend them enough.Posted on Sarah ChapmanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a drainage problem and reached out to R.A.M via check a trade, within five minutes I had a call back form Ant who is one of the owners. He was very helpful in explaining how they would be able to support the next day and gave a very transparent competitive quote. This included the camera inspection, which is often an add on. The drain unblocked in the end, but overall very impressed and I would not hesitate to use them for future issues.Posted on Ian PalingTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had heard, from a friend, that R. A. M. Drains were a reliable company who carried out good work. We contacted them to ask for a quote, they arrived on time and very quickly identified the problem. We were given an estimate which was very reasonable. The work was carried out with very little disruption to our lives and on completion they left things so clean and tidy it was amazing. I would highly recommend R. A. M. both on the quality of the work and the cost. Thanks Ross , Ant and team.Posted on Tilly MchughTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Blocked drain, come out and fixed it. Quick and competitivePosted on Nicola KayeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RAM Drains proved excellent, hardworking, honest and professional. I had a broken underground drain fixed by relining, gutter downpipe tucked into the ground and soakaways installed to manage ongoing excess rainwater issues. Price was competitive, complex works were detailed, the care and attention to my requirements and ensuring I could trust it would be done well was exceptional. I am delighted with Anthony's personal efforts and the skilled individuals he sent who completed everything exactly as promised.
Call us or send an enquiry and our team will book a convenient time.
A fully qualified drainage engineer will inspect your system, often using CCTV survey equipment to identify the exact problem.
We provide a straightforward, no-obligation quote for the repair work needed.
Once approved, our team completes the repair efficiently, ensuring long-lasting results.
We cover Reading and nearby areas, helping homeowners, landlords and businesses deal with blocked drains quickly and professionally.
We regularly work across Reading, including Caversham, Tilehurst, Earley, Woodley, Whitley, Southcote, Coley and the town centre, as well as nearby parts of Berkshire.
Have any other questions? Speak to one of our drainage specialists today.
We offer a fast response across Reading and aim to attend as quickly as possible, especially for urgent drainage problems and emergencies.
Typical signs include slow draining sinks or toilets, bad smells, gurgling sounds, overflowing outside drains and water backing up into your property.
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency drainage services in Reading for urgent blockages, backups, overflows and other serious drainage issues.
Yes, we use CCTV drain survey equipment to inspect your drains, find the cause of blockages and identify issues such as cracks, root ingress or collapsed pipework.
We do both. Alongside drain unblocking, we also provide drain repairs in Reading, including relining, patch repairs and collapsed drain solutions.