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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
multiple drains are gurgling and your home smells like sewage

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop using water in the property now: do not flush, run taps, shower, or use the dishwasher or washing machine. Check the lowest toilet, shower, bath, or floor drain for rising water or waste, then contact the right urgent help.

Do not do these things

  • Do not flush again or run taps to test it; this can push more wastewater towards the blockage.
  • Do not pour caustic drain cleaner into several fixtures; it may not fix a main blockage and can make later work more dangerous.
  • Do not stand in sewage water or let children or pets into affected rooms.
  • Do not touch sockets, plugs, appliances, or the consumer unit if the area around them is wet.
  • Do not open inspection chamber or manhole covers unless you already know how to do it safely.
  • Do not start deep cleaning while wastewater is still backing up.
  • If anyone feels unwell, get them to fresh air and seek urgent help if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

What to do now

  1. Stop all water use immediately. Tell everyone in the home: no flushing, no showers, no taps, no washing machine, and no dishwasher.
  2. Move people and pets away from the affected area. Use a dry, ventilated room as a waiting area. Open windows or external doors if it is safe to do so.
  3. Check the lowest drain points without touching sewage. Look at the downstairs toilet, shower tray, bath, floor drain, or lowest sink. Rising water, bubbling, or visible waste means you should treat this as a sewage backup.
  4. Do a quick outside visual check if it is safe. Look for overflowing water or sewage around an outside inspection chamber, drain cover, yard gully, or low point. Do not enter chambers and do not lift heavy covers if you are unsure.
  5. Reduce the chance of accidental water use. If people may forget and use water, turn off the internal stop tap if you can reach it safely.
  6. Keep away from wet electrics. If water is near sockets, appliances, extension leads, or the consumer unit, keep people out of that area. Switch off affected circuits only if you can do it from a dry, safe position; otherwise leave it for a professional.
  7. Choose who to contact first.
    • If sewage is backing up inside, a shared outside chamber is overflowing, neighbours are affected, or you think it may involve a public sewer, contact your water or wastewater provider or public sewer service.
    • If it seems confined to your own internal drains, contact an emergency plumber or drainage contractor.
    • If you rent, contact your landlord, letting agent, housing association, or emergency repairs line and say there may be a sewage backup.
  8. Record only what is quick and safe. Take photos or video of bubbling drains, rising water, outside overflow, and affected rooms only if this does not delay moving people away from sewage or wet electrics.
  9. If anyone touched sewage water, clean up cautiously. Wash skin with soap and clean water, remove contaminated clothing, and keep contaminated items away from food areas.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide whether the cause is a vent, trap, private drain, shared drain, or sewer right now.
  • You do not need to buy chemicals, tools, or cleaning equipment before the backup has stopped.
  • You do not need to start removing flooring, carpets, or units until the source is controlled and the area is safe.
  • You do not need to decide any insurance, complaint, or repair dispute today unless it affects immediate help.

Important reassurance

Gurgling across several drains with a sewage smell often means air or wastewater is being forced the wrong way because something is blocked or not venting properly. Stopping water use early, keeping people away from sewage and wet electrics, and contacting the right service can reduce the chance of the backup getting worse.

Scope note

These are first steps only, to stabilise the situation and avoid making it worse. Diagnosis, drain clearance, cleaning, repairs, landlord issues, insurance, and responsibility questions may need specialist help later.

Important note

This is general information, not professional plumbing, legal, medical, electrical, insurance, or health advice. If sewage is entering living areas, electrics may be wet, or anyone feels seriously unwell, prioritise safety and urgent professional help.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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