Sewer blockage

What is it?

What should you do if the water in your sink or toilet won't drain?

Step-by-step guide

• If your sink isn't draining properly, the best thing to do is try to clear the clog with an old-fashioned plunger.
• Don’t use chemical drain cleaners. They often don’t work very well, they damage your sewer pipes, and they’re bad for the environment.
• If the clog is more severe or involves your toilet, it’s important to determine whether the clog is on your property or on the municipality’s side.
• You can check this by digging up the drain or the property boundary drain.

Digging a drainage ditch

This manhole is (in principle) located within half a meter of the boundary between your property and the municipality. It is often buried underground and lies between 0.70 and 1.50 meters deep. This manhole is always located on your own property, and you are responsible for excavating it. Once you have opened the manhole, there are two options:

• The drain is full of water. In that case, the blockage is on the municipal side. You should call the municipality at 14 0487. They will clear the blockage (or have it cleared) and cover the costs. Please note: if you clear the blockage yourself or have it cleared by someone else, you will be responsible for the costs. You cannot claim these costs from the municipality afterward. After all, there will no longer be any evidence that the property boundary drain was full of water.
• The drain is empty. In this situation, the blockage is on your side of the line. You will need to hire a drain cleaning service yourself to clear the blockage. You are fully responsible for the costs.

Not sure where your property boundary marker is located? You can request the blueprints for your house, for example from the regional archives.

For high-pressure sewer systems: follow different steps!

If you are connected to the pressure sewer system, you must always call the municipality first at 14 0487 and not start digging on your own.