Blocked Downpipe & Overflowing Gutter Clearance

A blocked downpipe is one of the most common — and most damaging — problems we're called out to fix across Brighton, Hove and East Sussex. When a downpipe can't carry water away fast enough, it backs up into the guttering above, overflows down the side of the building, and very often finds its way into brickwork, render or window reveals that were never designed to get wet.

What Causes A Blocked Downpipe?

• Leaves, moss and silt washed down from the gutter above and settling at a bend or hopper
• Bird nesting material, particularly in spring, blocking a downpipe outlet completely
• Tennis balls, roofing debris or building waste lodged inside the pipe
• A collapsed or crushed section of pipe restricting flow

The Problems A Blocked Downpipe Can Cause

We're regularly called out to properties across Sussex where a long-standing blockage has caused internal damp requiring redecoration, blown plaster, rotten fascias and soffits, and in more serious cases guttering that has partially collapsed under the sheer weight of trapped water and debris. The health implications of damp and mould shouldn't be underestimated either — problems that start as a purely structural issue can end up affecting air quality inside the property.

How We Clear Blocked Downpipes

We use a high-powered vacuum system to clear debris from the gutter run first, then work down through the downpipe itself to clear any blockage and confirm water is flowing freely all the way to ground level or the drain. Where a camera inspection is useful — for example on a long-standing or repeat blockage — we can inspect the inside of the pipe to identify exactly where the problem lies before recommending a fix.