Whatsapp Instagram Youtube Facebook Tiktok
CALL NOW: 023 8251 5737
portsmouth drains24 logo

Drainage Problems in HMOs & Converted Flats in Portsmouth

Victorian-era terrace houses in Portsmouth representing common drainage problems in converted HMOs and flats. Text overlay reads "Blocked Drains Portsmouth"

Table of Contents

Converting large homes into flats or HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) is increasingly popular across Portsmouth—but they come with hidden drainage risks. If you’re managing or living in one of these properties, you’ve likely experienced slow drainage, unpleasant smells, or even complete blockages.

In this post, we break down the common causes, warning signs, and professional solutions for blocked drains in Portsmouth—especially in older properties now used as student accommodation, shared rentals, or multi-flat buildings.

🛠️ Why Converted Homes Are Prone to Drainage Issues

1. Original Pipes, New Demands

Many of Portsmouth’s Victorian and Edwardian properties were built for single-family use. When converted into 2–6 flats or more, the original pipework is often not upgraded to handle the extra load.

  • 💧 More bathrooms, kitchens, and washing machines
  • 🧻 Higher water usage, more solid waste
  • ❌ Inadequate flow gradients and insufficient venting

This overload leads to frequent blockages, backflow, and foul odours.

2. Shared Drainage Systems

In many converted buildings, flats still feed into a shared lateral drain before connecting to the main sewer. This means:

  • One resident flushing wipes can block drains for all
  • Grease poured down one kitchen affects neighbours
  • No one takes clear responsibility for maintenance

This lack of ownership creates recurring drainage issues and tension between tenants or landlords.

🚽 Common Causes of Blocked Drains in HMOs

At Portsmouth Drains24, we regularly attend callouts in Southsea, Fratton, and Eastney where student housing or multi-tenant flats are experiencing persistent blockages.

Here’s what we commonly find:

🧻 Wet Wipes & Sanitary Products

Often flushed instead of binned—these don’t break down and easily clog small-bore pipes.

🍳 Grease & Cooking Oil

Shared kitchens mean less accountability. Grease solidifies inside pipes, forming blockages just inches from sinks or even down the line.

🧺 Overloaded Appliances

Two washing machines and dishwashers using a single drain line? Overflow and soap scum buildup are inevitable.

🌳 Root Ingress

Older clay drains are especially prone to root intrusion, worsening pressure points already under strain from higher usage.

🔍 Signs You Might Need Drain Unblocking in Portsmouth

If you manage or live in a converted flat or HMO in Portsmouth, look out for:

  • Gurgling sounds from sinks or toilets
  • Slow-draining water in showers or basins
  • Foul smells in communal hallways or basements
  • Overflowing inspection chambers
  • Recurring need for plunging or chemical drainers

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to call the professionals.

✅ How Drains24 Solves HMO Drainage Problems

At Portsmouth Drains24, we offer fast, local solutions tailored to converted properties and HMOs:

🔹 CCTV Drain Surveys

We use high-definition cameras to inspect shared drain lines without digging. Identify collapsed pipes, root ingress, and misuse patterns fast.

🔹 High-Pressure Jetting

Blasts through years of built-up fat, wipes, and debris in seconds. Non-invasive and perfect for shared drains.

🔹 Preventative Maintenance Contracts

Ideal for landlords or letting agents—schedule quarterly cleanings to reduce emergency callouts.

🔹 Grease Management Advice

We help install and maintain grease traps or issue tenant-friendly notices to reduce improper disposal.

📍 Local Experience in Portsmouth’s Most Affected Areas

We’ve helped dozens of landlords and residents in:

  • Southsea: Large Victorian homes turned into student HMOs
  • Fratton & Milton: Busy family flats and rentals
  • North End & Cosham: Older council conversions
  • Eastney: Beachside homes with salt-air corrosion risks

We know Portsmouth’s drain systems and property layouts—so we don’t waste time guessing.

📞 Need Drain Unblocking in Portsmouth?

Don’t wait for an emergency. Whether you’re a property owner, landlord, or tenant, Portsmouth Drains24 offers reliable and fast-response service with:

  • ✅ No call-out fees
  • ✅ Emergency and scheduled visits
  • ✅ Affordable CCTV inspections
  • ✅ Advice tailored for multi-tenant buildings

📞 Call 07511 181 177 or request a callback through our website.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

  • 24 hour drain unblocking 24 hour drainage portsmouth 24/7 callouts 24/7 Drain Services 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Affordable Drain Services bathroom drains blocked drain portsmouth Blocked Drains blocked drains Guildford Blocked Drains Portsmouth blocked drains waterlooville blocked sinks buchan trap Buchan trap replacement building over manholes Building Regulations burst water main Portsmouth cctv bournemouth CCTV Diagnostics CCTV drain camera CCTV Drain Inspection CCTV Drain Inspections CCTV drain inspections Guildford CCTV Drain Survey CCTV drain survey Guildford CCTV drain survey Portsmouth CCTV Drain Surveys cctv drain surveys guildford cctv drain surveys portsmouth cctv drainage survey kingston upon thames cctv drainage survey Portsmouth cctv inspections cctv survey cctv survey portsmouth Chemical Drain Cleaners Christmas 2024 christmas drain problems CIPP Lining CIPP lining Portsmouth CIPP patch repair cipp relining CIPP repairs Clogged Drains combined sewers commercial drain problems Commercial Drain Solutions Commercial Drainage commercial drainage in portsmouth commercial drainage Portsmouth commercial kitchen drainage Cosham Cosham drainage cracked drain pipes Customer Service damaged drains damp prevention Denmead descaling Drain Blockages Drain Cleaning drain cleaning hampshire Drain Cleaning Portsmouth Drain Cleaning Services Drain Clearance drain clearance in portsmouth Drain Clearance Portsmouth Drain Descaling drain experts drain flooding Drain Inspection drain inspection portsmouth Drain Inspections Drain Installation drain insurance Drain Issues Drain Issues Portsmouth Drain Jetting drain jetting portsmouth drain lining drain lining cost drain lining Portsmouth Drain Maintenance drain maintenance Guildford drain maintenance tips drain mapping drain misuse drain odours drain ownership drain pest control drain protection Drain Rat Stoppers Drain Relining Drain Repair Drain Repair Portsmouth Drain Repair Services Drain Repair Specialists Drain Repairs drain repairs Guildford Drain Repairs Portsmouth drain repairs southsea drain repairs Waterlooville drain replacement Drain Rodding Drain Services drain solutions Drain Survey drain survey portsmouth drain surveys Fratton Drain Unblocking drain unblocking Guildford Drain Unblocking Portsmouth Drain Unblocking Southampton drainage company Guildford drainage diagnostics drainage emergencies Drainage Experts Drainage Inspection drainage inspections drainage inspections portsmouth Drainage Installations Drainage Issues drainage liability Drainage Maintenance Drainage Materials drainage portsmouth Drainage Repair Farnham Drainage Repairs drainage responsibility Drainage Services drainage services hampshire drainage services portsmouth drainage smells Drainage Solutions Drainage System Maintenance drainage system types Drainage System Upgrade Drainage Systems drainage works kingston upon thames drainage works Portsmouth Drains24 Drains24 Portsmouth Eco-Friendly Drain Solutions Eco-Friendly Solutions Emergency Drain Repair Emergency Drain Repairs emergency drain service emergency drain service fratton Emergency Drain Services Emergency Drain Solutions emergency drain unblocking Emergency Drain Unblocking Portsmouth emergency drainage emergency drainage Guildford emergency drainage Portsmouth emergency drainage service emergency plumbing portsmouth Emergency Plumbing Services Emergency Services Environmental Compliance Environmental Impact Environmental Protection Enzymatic Cleaners Enzyme Drain Cleaners Fareham Drain Maintenance Fareham Drainage Fareham Drains Farnham Plumbing fatbergs festive cooking drains Flood Prevention flooding prevention foul water pipes Foundation Protection Fratton French Drains garden drainage Gosport Drainage Gosport Drainage Solutions grease build-up grease in drains Grease Trap Cleaning grease trap problems Guildford drain services gully issues Havant Drainage Hayling Island Drainage Hayling Island Drains HDPE Pipes heavy rain drainage High Pressure Jetting high pressure jetting fratton high pressure water jetting High-Pressure Jetting High-Pressure Water Jetting hilsea drainage HMO drainage problems Holiday Drain Services home drainage maintenance Home Improvement home insurance drainage Home Maintenance homebuyer drain survey portsmouth homebuyer drainage survey Homeowner Guide Homeowner Responsibilities Homeowner Tips Hydro Jetting interceptor trap removal kitchen drain blockage kitchen drain problems kitchen drains Landscaping Lee-on-Solent Drainage Lee-on-Solent Drains Local Business Local Drain Specialists local drain specialists Guildford Local Drainage Experts Local Plumbing Local Plumbing Services local soakaway installation Local Water Companies manhole maintenance portsmouth manhole regulations UK manhole repairs Modern Drainage Solutions new drainage installation no call-out fee drainage No-Dig Drain Repair no-dig solutions Non-Dig Technology north end drainage older drainage systems outdoor drains outside drains overflowing drains Pest Control pipe blockages pipe cleaning Pipe Damage pipe rehabilitation Pipe Relining Pipe Repair Options Pitch Fibre Drain Repairs Pitch Fibre Drainage pitch fibre drains pitch fibre pipe pitch fibre pipes Pitch Fibre Repairs Plumbing Plumbing Alternatives plumbing issues Plumbing Services Plumbing Solutions Plumbing Tips Portchester Drainage Portsmouth Portsmouth business drainage portsmouth drain repair Portsmouth Drainage Portsmouth drainage experts Portsmouth drainage issues Portsmouth Drainage Services Portsmouth Drainage Solutions portsmouth drainage survey Portsmouth Drains Portsmouth Drains24 Portsmouth homes Portsmouth Plumbing Power Jetting pre-purchase survey portsmouth Preventative Care Preventative Tips Professional Drain Services Professional Plumbing Professional Service Property Maintenance Property Management Protect Property Value PVC Pipes Rat Control rat stopper for drains rat stoppers guildford replacement drains Residential Drain Repairs Residential Drainage Residential Services restaurant drain cleaning restaurant drainage Portsmouth Restaurant Plumbing Rodding Services rodent in drains Rodent Prevention rodent prevention drains root damage drainage root damage drains root intrusion fixes root intrusion portsmouth Root Removal scale removal Septic Tank Installation Septic Tanks shared drains shopping centre drainage Slow Draining Sinks slow drains smelly drains portsmouth Soakaway Inspection Soakaway Installation soakaway installation portsmouth Soakaway Problems Fratton Sodium Hydroxide Southampton Drainage Services southsea blocked toilet Southsea Drain Services Southsea Drainage sports centre drainage student housing plumbing student let maintenance Sulfuric Acid summer drain issues summer drainage issues surface water drainage surface water drains surface water flooding Sustainable Drainage Sustainable Plumbing terrace drainage tree root damage portsmouth Tree Root Intrusion Tree Root Intrusions tree root removal trenchless drain repair trenchless lining trenchless pipe repair Trenchless Technology UK Drainage unblocking services Unpleasant Odors uPVC Drainage uPVC Pipes victorian drainage warehouse drainage Portsmouth Wastewater Management Water Backups water company drains water damage water main damage laws Water Management Waterlooville Plumbers winter damp winter drain care winter drain maintenance winter drain problems winter drainage winter flooding