A: Professional chain flailing is safe on sound clay pipes. If pipes are already fractured, descaling may expose the damage – that’s why a pre-CCTV is essential. A good contractor will stop and recommend lining if they see cracks.
✅ or CIA (Construction Industry Accreditation) ✅ Public liability insurance (minimum £2M) ✅ Waste carrier’s licence (to dispose of scale slurry legally) ✅ Thames Water approved (if working near public sewers) ✅ Free, no-obligation quote after a CCTV survey – not just a phone estimate
A: No – Thames Water only clears blockages that affect the public main. The pipe from your property boundary to the main (the “lateral”) is your responsibility, even if scale buildup is severe.
1. What is Sewer Descaling? Sewer descaling is the process of removing limescale, mineral deposits, rust, and other hard encrustations from the inside of sewer pipes. Unlike drain unblocking (which removes soft blockages like wipes or grease), descaling specifically targets cement-like buildup that narrows the pipe diameter, reduces flow, and leads to repeat blockages.
