Blocked Drains in Leith
Same-Day Clearance Across EH6
Blocked sink in your Leith tenement? Overflowing external drain in The Shore? McInally's clear blocked drains throughout Leith using high-pressure jetting — fast, effective, and same-day across all EH6 postcodes.
Blocked Drains in Leith, Edinburgh
Leith's Blocked Drain Specialists
A blocked drain in a Leith tenement is not just an inconvenience — it can affect the flat below yours or back up through shared ground-floor gullies into neighbours' properties. McInally's have been clearing blocked drains in Leith for over 5 years, working in Victorian tenements on Leith Walk, converted harbourside buildings on The Shore, and ex-council properties across Kirkgate and Ferry Road. We understand how Leith's drainage systems work and, crucially, how they fail.
We carry high-pressure water jetting equipment on every van, which clears the vast majority of blockages — including severe grease build-up and cast iron waste stack blockages — in a single visit. For persistent or recurring blockages we can deploy CCTV drain cameras to inspect the pipe internally and identify root intrusion, pipe fractures, or structural defects. For our full blocked drains service across Edinburgh, visit our main service page.
Leith Property Types
Blocked Drains in Leith Homes
Leith's drainage is more complex than in areas with uniform modern housing. The Victorian tenements that line Leith Walk, Constitution Street, and Easter Road drain through shared cast iron soil stacks — often 100 to 130 years old — that run vertically through the full height of the building. The joints between cast iron sections were originally sealed with lead-caulked rope that has, in many properties, shrunk and cracked with age. Tree roots from back-court gardens have found their way in through these joints, and the corroded inner surface of the pipe catches fat and paper debris far more aggressively than smooth modern UPVC.
The harbourside conversions on The Shore and Commercial Street drain via systems that were retro-fitted into former industrial buildings. These drainage runs can have shallow gradients — because the floor levels of the original building dictated the pipe route — making fat and food build-up more likely. The newer Ocean Drive and Newhaven developments use modern plastic drainage, but communal ground-floor gullies for these dense developments carry large volumes of waste and can block rapidly if residents dispose of cooking fat down the drain. McInally's approach every Leith drain clearance with knowledge of the property type behind it.
Common Leith Drain Blockages
Common Blocked Drain Problems in Leith Properties
Leith's mix of Victorian drains, harbourside conversions, and dense new-build developments produces specific and recurring drain blockage types. These are the ones we clear most often.
Root Intrusion in Cast Iron Tenement Drains
Tree roots from back-court gardens in Leith's Victorian tenements enter through corroded cast iron drain joints, building up over years into a mass that completely blocks the pipe. We cut and jet the roots out and recommend CCTV survey to assess whether the drain section needs lining or replacement.
Grease Blockages in Shared Waste Stacks
Fat and grease from multiple kitchen outlets sharing a Leith tenement's cast iron waste stack accumulates into a solid plug at the base of the stack or at the first change of direction. High-pressure jetting clears these blockages completely — a plunger merely compacts them further.
Blocked Toilets in Leith Tenement Flats
A blocked toilet in a Leith tenement can back up and overflow quickly, with the water finding its way to the flat below. We clear toilet blockages using specialist rods and jetting equipment, and check the full soil stack for any underlying structural issue.
Slow-Draining Baths and Showers in Conversions
The Shore's warehouse conversions sometimes have drainage runs with insufficient fall, causing waste water to move slowly and deposit soap scum and hair before it reaches the stack. We jet the waste runs and advise on whether the fall angle can be improved.
Blocked External Gullies in Leith Back Courts
The shared back courts in Leith's tenement blocks collect debris, leaves, and rainwater. When the gully drain blocks it creates standing water that saturates the foundations of the building. We jet these gullies clear and install rodding eyes where access is limited.
Collapsed Drain Sections Under Leith Properties
In Leith's oldest streets, the underground drain runs under back courts can have partially collapsed sections where the cast iron has rusted through. CCTV survey reveals these collapses, which cause recurring blockages and can lead to subsidence. We carry out targeted drain repair or no-dig lining as appropriate.
Full Service
What's Included in Our Leith Drain Clearance Service
We don't just clear the blockage and leave — we investigate the cause and advise on preventing it returning.
- Same-day drain clearance across all Leith EH6 postcodes
- High-pressure water jetting — clears grease, root, silt and paper blockages
- Manual rodding for difficult-access runs
- Kitchen sink, bathroom waste, toilet, and soil stack clearance
- External gully and back-court drain clearance
- CCTV drain survey for recurring or persistent blockages
- Root cutting equipment for tree-root intrusion
- Drain relining for cracked or collapsed sections
- Honest advice on prevention and maintenance for your Leith property
Our Coverage
Covering All of Leith for Blocked Drain Clearance
We clear blocked drains throughout Leith's EH6 and EH7 postcodes. Every street and development below is within our same-day service area.
Streets & Thoroughfares
- Leith Walk
- Constitution Street
- Easter Road
- Great Junction Street
- Duke Street
- Ferry Road
- Henderson Street
- Restalrig Road
Landmarks & Areas
- The Shore
- Commercial Street
- Bernard Street
- Ocean Drive
- Kirkgate
- Victoria Quay
- Ocean Terminal area
- Newhaven
Postcodes Covered
- EH6 1 — Leith Walk north
- EH6 2 — Lochend & Restalrig
- EH6 3 — Easter Road area
- EH6 4 — The Shore & dockside
- EH6 5 — Constitution Street
- EH6 6 — Great Junction Street
- EH6 7 — Ocean Drive
- EH6 8, EH6 9 & EH7 — North Leith & Pilrig
Response Time
Fast Response Across Leith
From Edinburgh we reach Leith in under 20 minutes. A blocked drain that is backing up or overflowing is treated as an emergency — we dispatch immediately and aim to be on site within 60 minutes of your call. Whether you're on Leith Walk, The Shore, or Easter Road, we'll be there today. Call us now on 07449 984820.
Leith Customer Reviews
What Leith Customers Say About Our Drain Clearance
"Our shared back-court drain in the Leith Walk tenement had been blocking every few weeks for years. McInally's came out, did a CCTV survey, found a root mass in the old cast iron drain under the court, and jetted and cut it out properly. It has not blocked once since. Wish we'd called them sooner."
"Kitchen sink completely blocked in our Constitution Street flat on a Saturday afternoon. McInally's were here within an hour and sorted it with the jetting equipment in twenty minutes. Really professional service and good value. Highly recommended."
"External drain in our Shore development back court was overflowing onto the street. McInally's were out the same morning, found a grease build-up at the junction, jetted the whole run, and cleared it completely. No mess, upfront pricing, brilliant service."
FAQs
Blocked Drain FAQs for Leith Residents
Yes — The Shore, Commercial Street, Bernard Street, and all surrounding streets in the Leith dockside area are within our regular same-day coverage.
From our Edinburgh base we reach EH6 in under 20 minutes. We offer same-day attendance for blocked drains and treat overflowing drains as an emergency, dispatching immediately.
Yes — shared cast iron waste stacks in Leith's Victorian tenements are a common blockage point, affecting multiple flats simultaneously. We clear the blockage using jetting and inspect the full stack for underlying structural issues.
Yes — for persistent or recurring blockages in Leith properties we use CCTV drain inspection cameras to identify root intrusion, pipe collapse, or structural defects that would cause the blockage to keep returning. You receive a full video report.
Yes — we clear external gullies, yard drains, and shared back-court drainage in Leith properties. These are common calls in Leith's tenement blocks and respond well to high-pressure jetting.
Both are common in Leith. Kitchen blockages are mostly fat and food debris. In older tenements with cast iron drain runs under back courts, tree root intrusion through corroded joints is also a significant cause of recurring blockages. CCTV inspection distinguishes the two and guides the right repair.
Yes — we cover all of Leith including the properties on Kirkgate, Ferry Road, and Restalrig. All drain types, all EH6 and EH7 postcodes, same-day service.
Stop using all water outlets in the property immediately to reduce the inflow. If the flooding is coming from an external drain, try to contain the spread with towels. Call us on 07449 984820 — an overflowing drain is an emergency and we will dispatch straight away.
Also Covering
Also Covering Areas Near Leith
McInally's cover all of Edinburgh — not just Leith. Here are nearby areas and services we regularly work in.