1st Main Drain Ltd


 

Domestic Drain Services

For domestic customers we undertake the following services: CCTV Survey Van

Blocked drain clearance and drain cleaning

Emptying and cleaning of cesspools, septic tanks and sewage treatment systems

CCTV inspection surveys & drain tests

Repair and installation of drainage systems

 

We hope the following information may answer some of your questions regarding the services we provide.

Domestic Blocked Drains

Is there a call out charge?
No. Our charges start from when the engineer arrives on site.

How much will it cost to clear the blocked drain?
Costs depend on the time taken to clear the blocked drain. As a guide, most domestic blockages can be cleared within 2 hours however this cannot be guaranteed as it depends on the severity of the problem. Our engineers can advise roughly how long they think the blockage will take to clear once they have appraised the situation.

What method will be used?
Our engineer will advise on site, although jetting is often requested to ensure most satisfactory and effective results. Jetting unblocks as well as cleans the pipework. Our crews will attend with a variety of tools including drain rods and high pressure water jetting equipment. Our standard charges allow for the use of all of these tools as required.

How quickly can you get here?
We aim to attend the majority of blocked drains the same day. We offer a 24 hour service and therefore crews are available to attend outside of normal working hours for emergencies.

What areas do you cover?
For domestic blocked drains we cover the Medway Towns as well as the Gravesham, Dartford, Sittingbourne, Faversham and Maidstone and the surrounding towns and villages. If your area is not mentioned please feel free to contact us.

What are your payment terms?
You can either pay our driver on site by cash or cheque or you can call our office to make payment by debit card or credit card. A small processing fee of 3.5% will be applied to credit card payments. 21 days' credit may be allowed in certain circumstances. Alternatively our banking details are on our invoices to allow payment by internet banking. If you use this method please ensure you use your surname or company name (as appropriate) and the invoice number(s) to help us allocate your payment.

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Cesspools, Septic Tanks and Bio-systems

What areas do you cover?
Our normal areas are the Medway Towns, Gravesend, Dartford, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Maidstone and the surrounding towns and villages. If your area is not mentioned please feel free to contact us.

What do you charge?
Our charges vary depending on your location. Our standard charge allows for up to 45 minutes on site, and collection and disposal of up to 2000 gallons (9000 litres). There is no VAT on domestic waste collection and disposal.

What are your payment terms?
We prefer payment on site however for regular customers we are willing to offer 7 days' credit. We can accept cash or cheque payments. Our invoices show our bank details if you wish to pay us using online banking. We also have the ability to take debit or credit card payments by telephone however a small processing fee will be applied to credit card payments.

How quickly can you get here?
We are usually able to attend within 3 working days and in urgent situations may be able to attend the same day. In the weeks leading up to Christmas we often experience a higher demand therefore we ask customers to book further in advance where possible.

Do you offer regular emptying services
Yes, we offer service agreements where we attend regularly without the need for you to call and book each time. These can be set up for however often you would prefer and with specific instructions for our drivers to follow if necessary.

How often will my cesspit need emptying?
Cesspits vary in size and can hold up to or exceeding 10,000 gallons. The length of time between emptying depends on the amount of water used. Waste is usually taken from showers, baths, toilets, sinks, washing machines, dishwashers etc.

What is the difference between a cesspool / cesspit and a septic tank?
A cesspit / cesspool is a holding tank in the ground that collects all foul waste and water from the property. Once full the tank needs to be emptied. Whilst collecting waste from the property a septic tank also filters out the liquid waste into the surrounding ground through a soakaway or water course. The remaining solid waste within the tank is then broken down by bacteria into a sludge. The remaining sludge then needs to be collected regularly (minimum twice a year) with a small amount of waste retained in the tank to allow the bacteria to work efficiently.

When will my cesspit need cleaning?
The heavy build up of sludge sometimes affects the efficient collection of waste and cleaning is required to remove this sludge, restoring the full holding capacity of the tank.

Why is my cesspit filling quicker than usual?
It could simply be a change in use or that a tap has been left dripping. Alternatively it is possible that water is ingressing into the system or there may be another problem. As a result we usually suggest that tanks are cleaned and then inspected.

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CCTV Survey Inspection & Drain Tests

What is a CCTV survey?
A CCTV survey is when a small camera is placed into the drain and propelled along the pipework. Usually a recording is made onto DVD. They are often recommended or required if there is a suspected problem or defect or during a house purchase. A CCTV survey is undertaken to establish the condition and integrity of the pipework. It will be able to reveal the cause of any blockages and the location and extent of any problems within the drain.

What information do we get from the CCTV survey?
We will provide you with a DVD showing the recording made of the internal condition of the drain, a sketch of your drainage layout and a written report explaining the condition and integrity of the pipework. The CCTV survey report also details the size, material and duty of the pipework surveyed. Any defects found will be described along with recommendations on how they can be fixed. If problems are found we are happy to provide a free estimate for the remedial works. We hold backup copies of DVD recordings for up to 1 year.

What size & lengths of pipework are you able to survey?
We can inspect foul and surface water pipework from a diameter of 2" (50mm) up to 12" (300mm). Although not guaranteed, the pipework serving most domestic properties is 4" or 6" diameter. We can survey lengths up to 200m.

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Installation, Repair & Maintenance of Drains

Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. We may call when we will be in the area to see if it is convenient to visit and inspect your drainage problem. Otherwise we try to make mutually convenient appointments.

How long will it take to receive my estimate?
We aim to send out estimates within 10 days of the initial visit. Depending on the nature of the problem this could be much quicker.

Can you make connections onto the mains drainage?
We have considerable experience in making connections onto mains drainage and liaising with local water companies and building control etc.

Can you dig in the road?
We have qualified NRSWA operatives who can undertake excavations in the road and are familiar with liaising with the local highways authorities.

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