Downpipe unblocking —
cleared and confirmed.

Why blocked downpipes cause more damage than blocked gutters.

A blocked downpipe is more damaging than a blocked gutter section, but harder to notice. When a gutter channel blocks, it overflows visibly over the front edge. When a downpipe blocks, the gutter above it backs up and overflows at the lowest point of the run — often behind the gutter, against the fascia — where it is not immediately visible. Water running behind the gutter against the fascia board and into the soffit void can cause significant damage before it becomes apparent.

How we clear a blocked downpipe

1. Locate the blockage — using the SkyVac camera we identify whether the blockage is at the inlet (top of the downpipe), within the pipe itself, or at the underground collar where the downpipe meets the drain.
2. Clear the blockage — inlet blockages are cleared by vacuum extraction. Compacted blockages within the pipe are cleared by high-volume flush or, where necessary, rodding from the top. Underground collar separations are assessed and reported separately.
3. Flush and confirm flow — we flush the downpipe with volume and confirm flow at the outlet before finishing. This is the step many standard cleans skip — we do not consider a job complete until flow is confirmed.
4. Document condition — the inlet, pipe and outlet condition are included in the job completion documentation.

Downpipe types we service

We clear all standard residential downpipe types across the Farnborough area:

• Circular UPVC (68mm and 110mm) — the most common on post-war properties across Farnborough, Fleet and Aldershot
• Square UPVC (65mm) — common on 1980s and 1990s developments across Camberley and Yateley
• Cast iron circular — retained on Victorian and Edwardian properties in Aldershot GU11 and Farnham GU9
• Cast iron rectangular — occasional on larger period properties

Underground drainage issues

If the blockage is at or below the underground collar — where the downpipe enters the soakaway or drainage run — we can identify this during the inspection and advise clearly. Resolution of underground drainage issues is beyond gutter work and typically requires a drainage contractor. We do not attempt to clear underground blockages, but we will tell you clearly what we found and what the next step is.

When to treat a blocked downpipe as urgent

A blocked downpipe during or before forecast heavy rain should be treated as urgent. Overflow against the fascia during sustained rain accelerates damage significantly compared to a short dry-weather event. If you suspect a blocked downpipe with rain forecast, call directly rather than using the form.