The request form on this page accepts messages 24/7. Mark your request urgent if water is rising, to help the engineer decide what to do first. Then use the questions below when the engineer replies.
The request form accepts addresses in Bishopthorpe and these nearby districts and villages:
Bishopthorpe is a village on the southern edge of York, beside the River Ouse. Bishopthorpe Palace, the home of the Archbishop of York, is its best-known building. The Ouse shapes how people here think about water. Drains near the river feel its changes first, while homes on higher ground notice less.
Bishopthorpe falls in the City of York Council area. Yorkshire Water runs the public sewers, while drains inside your boundary are yours to look after. The council cannot help with shared sewers. Keep that split in mind when you ask for help.
When the Ouse is high, drains near the river can slow down, while homes further away may feel it less. Sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings if you live close to the water. Clear your gullies before the water rises. Know where your main drain cover sits.
The village has older homes near Main Street and newer homes on its edges. Older homes can have pipes that owners extended over time. A camera survey helps to map the layout before you build or buy, since plans may be missing. It also shows cracks and roots.
A non-return valve on the main drain can stop sewage flowing back in. This matters most for homes near the river, since that is where water rises first. Ask the engineer whether one would suit your property. Ask what it costs and how to check it.
Tree roots are another common cause of slow drains, because mature gardens often have large trees. Roots seek water, so they enter small cracks. Ask for a camera check if drains keep slowing down. Clearing the blockage alone may not fix it.
Bishopthorpe lies close to York, so the York page is worth a read too. Many of the same rules apply to both. Read that page for more on shared drains and the 2011 change. The "Whose pipe is it?" guide from Yorkshire Water helps too.
Toilet playing up? Read why a toilet will not flush properly. Once the pipe is clear, read how to stop kitchen drains blocking so the problem does not return.
Bishopthorpe is in the City of York Council area. Yorkshire Water runs the public sewers, while your own drain, inside your boundary, is yours to look after. If your neighbours have the same problem, tell Yorkshire Water.
It can. When the Ouse runs high, drains near the river may empty slowly, although homes further away may not notice. Environment Agency flood warnings give you time to act. A non-return valve on the main drain can reduce the risk of sewage flowing back in.
It is worth asking about, since older homes can have pipes that owners added to over many years. A camera survey shows the route and the condition of each run. That helps you plan any repairs. Ask for the footage and a written report.
Yes, roots can enter small cracks in older pipes, because they seek water. Mature gardens near Main Street often have large trees. A camera survey shows where roots have entered. The engineer can then explain the options for clearing and repair.
Only water, human waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet. Put wipes in the bin, even ones sold as flushable. Yorkshire Water says wipes cause nearly 50% of blockages in Yorkshire. Keep fat and grease out of the sink, because it sets hard in cold pipes. A strainer in the sink catches food scraps.