A blocked downpipe is one of the most common reasons gutters overflow. Leaves, moss, roof grit and the odd tennis ball get washed down from the gutter and wedge at the bends, the joints or the shoe at the bottom. Once that happens, rainwater backs up into the gutter and spills over the edge, often straight down your wall.
Hope Cleaning has been clearing gutters and downpipes across Nottingham since 2000. We’re fully insured, give free quotes and there’s no callout charge.
Signs your downpipe is blocked
- Water pouring over the gutter in one spot, usually near the downpipe outlet
- Little or no water coming out of the bottom of the pipe when it rains
- Gurgling or dripping from the joints
- Damp patches or green staining on the wall beside the pipe
- Water pooling or splashing around the drain at the base
How we clear a blocked downpipe
- Find the blockage. We check the gutter outlet, the swan-neck bends and the pipe run to find where it’s stuck.
- Clear the gutter first. There’s no point unblocking the pipe if the gutter above is full, so we clear the run that feeds it.
- Clear the pipe. We remove the debris from the outlet and bends and rod or flush the pipe through.
- Test the flow. We run water through to check it drains freely to the ground.
- Tidy up. Debris is bagged and taken away.
If a section of pipe, a bracket or a joint is cracked or loose, we’ll tell you and can usually fix it on the same visit, as we carry common replacement parts on the van. See our gutter repairs page.
Areas we cover
We unblock downpipes across Nottingham, including West Bridgford, Beeston, Hucknall, Arnold, Bulwell, Carlton and Mapperley, plus Long Eaton, Derby, Mansfield and Loughborough.
Downpipe unblocking FAQs
How much does it cost to unblock a downpipe?
Downpipe clearing is included in every gutter clean, which starts from £90 for a terrace or bungalow. See our gutter cleaning prices. If you only need a downpipe cleared, we’ll give you a fixed price before we start.
Can you unblock a downpipe that goes into the ground?
We clear the downpipe down to the gully or drain at ground level. If the blockage is in the underground drain itself, we’ll let you know so you can get a drainage specialist.
How often do downpipes block?
Homes near trees can block every year, usually after the autumn leaf drop. An annual gutter clean in late autumn stops most blockages before they start.
Get your downpipe cleared
Call or text 0115 772 0188 or email info@guttercleanuk.org for a free, no-obligation quote. Request a quote online.