- Open 24 hours, 7 days
- On site in under 90 minutes
- Free call-out and quote
- Fixed price in writing first
- Unmarked vehicles
- Itemised receipt with photos
Sewage cleaning across Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea has some of London’s most densely built streets, with period houses, mansion blocks, mews and a very large number of basements and lower-ground flats, including modern basement extensions. Rooms below street level can sit lower than the sewer they drain into, so they rely on pumps or non-return valves. When a pump fails or heavy rain overloads the sewer, the basement is where sewage appears first.
We remove the sewage, clean and disinfect every affected surface, remove soaked materials that can’t be saved, and treat the smell at its source. Call at any hour and a real person answers, tells you how to stay safe and who to call about the cause, and gives you a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
Sewage problems we clean up in Kensington and Chelsea
Toilet, shower or sink backflow
Sewage coming up through the lowest toilet, shower tray, bath or floor drain in the home, usually because of a blockage further down the pipe.
Overflowing manholes and gullies
Sewage spilling from a manhole or outside drain into a garden, patio, driveway or side passage.
Sewage in basements and lower-ground flats
Sewage backing up into the lowest floor of a building, especially during heavy rain or when a pump fails.
Leaking soil pipes and stacks
Waste leaking from a cracked or blocked soil pipe inside walls, ceilings or boxing, often in blocks of flats.
For a full guide to sewage risks, what can be saved and your rights, see our main sewage cleaning page.
Where we help in Kensington and Chelsea
Basements and basement extensions
Lower floors where sewage backs up first, including utility rooms, cinema rooms and bathrooms.
Lower-ground and garden flats
Flats in converted houses where shared drains back up into the lowest home.
Mansion blocks and mews houses
Working with porters, managing agents and neighbours on access and shared drains.
Restaurants, hotels and shops
Premises in South Kensington, Chelsea and Notting Hill cleaned out of hours.
Basements, pumps and non-return valves
Basements below the level of the sewer usually rely on a pump or a non-return valve to stop sewage flowing back in. If a pump alarm sounds or sewage appears during heavy rain, stop using the basement’s toilets, sinks and showers and call a drainage specialist to check the pump or valve. Once the cause is fixed, we clean and disinfect the basement and tell you which finishes and fittings need replacing.
What to do while you wait for us
✓ Do
- Keep everyone, especially children and pets, away from the sewage
- Stop using toilets, sinks, showers and appliances that drain into the blocked pipe
- Switch off electricity at the fuse box if sewage is near sockets, only if you can reach it without standing in it
- Report it to Thames Water if neighbours are affected too
- Take photos and videos before anything is cleaned
✗ Don’t
- Don’t walk through sewage or touch it without protection
- Don’t try to mop, hose or bleach it away yourself
- Don’t use fans, as they can spread contaminated droplets
- Don’t eat, drink or smoke in the affected area
- Don’t throw away damaged items before photographing them
Who fixes the cause?
We clean up. The cause is fixed by whoever is responsible for the pipe. As a general guide:
| Where the problem is | Who is usually responsible | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|
| Pipes inside your home, and the drain serving only your property within your boundary | You, or your landlord if you rent | A drainage contractor or plumber |
| A pipe shared with other properties, or the drain beyond your boundary | Usually Thames Water. Most of these were transferred to water companies on 1 October 2011 | Report it to Thames Water |
| A public sewer in the street | Thames Water | Report it to Thames Water |
| Soil stacks and drains in a block of flats | Usually the freeholder or managing agent. Check your lease | Tell the managing agent |
How it works
- You call, a real person answersTell us what has happened and your postcode. We give you safety advice straight away and ask whether the cause has been fixed.
- We confirm your arrival timeAcross London we can be on site in under 90 minutes, and we confirm the time based on your postcode and the traffic.
- Assessment and written quoteWe check how far the sewage has spread, including under flooring and behind units, then give you a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
- RemovalWe remove standing sewage, solids and contaminated debris, and bag and remove soaked materials that can’t be saved, with your agreement.
- Cleaning and disinfectionWe clean every affected surface, then apply hospital-grade disinfectant and leave it for the time it needs to work.
- Sign-off and receiptYou check the result before we leave, and we give you an itemised receipt with photographs for your records or claim.
Areas and postcodes we cover in Kensington and Chelsea
Areas
Kensington, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, Chelsea, World’s End, Brompton, Knightsbridge (part), Holland Park, Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington and Kensal Town
Postcodes
SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10, W8, W10, W11 and parts of SW1X and W14
Useful links
Thames Water, sewer flooding compensation and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Sewage cleaning in Kensington and Chelsea: FAQs
Do you cover all of Kensington and Chelsea?
Yes. We cover the whole borough, including Kensington, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, Chelsea, World’s End, Brompton, Knightsbridge (part), Holland Park, Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington and Kensal Town, 24 hours a day.
How quickly can you get to me in Kensington?
We can be on site in under 90 minutes, day or night. When you call, we confirm the arrival time based on your postcode and the traffic.
Is sewage dangerous?
Yes. Raw sewage can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause illness. Keep children, pets and vulnerable people away, and don’t touch it without protection.
Do you unblock the drain?
No. A drainage contractor clears private drains, and Thames Water deals with public sewers. We clean up once the source has stopped.
Sewage came up in our basement during heavy rain. Why?
Heavy rain can overload the sewer so that sewage flows back into the lowest drains, or a pump or non-return valve may have failed. A drainage specialist can find the cause, and if the public sewer is at fault, report it to Thames Water. We clean up once it has stopped.
Will my carpet need to be thrown away?
Usually, yes. Sewage soaks through carpet into the underlay and can’t be reliably decontaminated. Hard, sealed floors can usually be cleaned and kept.
Can I claim from Thames Water?
If sewage from a public sewer floods your property, you may be entitled to a payment under the Guaranteed Standards Scheme. Claims must be made within three months. Our photos and receipt can support your claim.
How much does it cost?
We give you a fixed price in writing after assessing the job, and that is the price you pay. The quote and call-out are free.
Sewage problem in Kensington and Chelsea? Call now.
Tell us what has happened and where, and we’ll take it from there. Free quote, no call-out fee, complete discretion, 24 hours a day.