High performance drain unblocking at great prices!

TCF Environmental have over
40 years experience in the
drainage industry!

Local Family Business
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    From Drain Unblocking to
    Reactive Repairs and New Installations

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    Who We Work With

    WHY CHOOSE US?

    Our Reviews

    Always Kept Me Informed of What Was Happening

    Very courteous. Always kept me informed me of what was happening. Decent price. Cleared my soak away drain and got the job done. Would thoroughly recommend.

    John Cunningham

    A Very Pleasant Manner

    James has a very pleasant manner when dealing with the clients. We were very pleased with the work and would recommend the company.

    Susan Jamieson

    Very Professional

    Lovely guys who were very professional. Brilliant job even in absolutely freezing conditions and at very short notice.

    Rebecca Nunn

    The Level of Integrity Demonstrated What an Exemplary Professional You Are

    I wanted to thank you for the professional manner in which you handles my recent referral. The level of integrity demonstrated what an exemplary professional you are, and I would therefore have no hesitation in recommending you and your company again and again.

    Carly MacGregor Grant

    Efficient, Painless and Caused Minimal Disruption

    I would like to thank you for the groundworks recently carried out at the office. From start to finish the approach you took made the job efficient, painless and caused minimal disruption to the clients. You left a tidy workspace as though you had never been there. I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone in the future.

    Tracey Hannah, Accountants Plus

    Providers of Excellent Service

    It was always a great relief to see you guys, but even better when we didn’t need you! Many thanks for your great service. I’m always happy to recommend providers of excellent service.

    Andrew Still, Elena's Spanish Bar and Restaurant

    Arrived Promptly and Dealt with the Issue Professionally

    Called out as an emergency, arrived promptly and dealt with the issue professionally. Would recommend and use them again!

    St Ellen's Private Hospital

    Very Honest and Upfront

    Very prompt service, unblocking a drainpipe for me. Jay is really pleasant to deal with and very honest and upfront. Obviously an expert in what he does and no hesitation in recommending his services.

    Colin Moulson

    Two Very Pleasant and Professional Guys

    Excellent! Complicated job completed very expertly by two very pleasant and professional guys. Would definitely recommend!

    Grace Louden

    Very prompt service

    These guys were great. Very prompt service and excellent customer service.

    Caitlin Morris

    Honest and Professional Advice

    On behalf of the 21st Glasgow Scouts, I must pass on thanks to you and your team, for pointing us in the right direction to resolve our drainage problem. We contacted you for assistance, to clear what appeared to be a blocked drain. You responded quickly, your team arrived on site at the agreed time and got straight to work to try remove the blockage. Initially they made good profess but despite their best effort the drain could not be cleared. After a lot of prodding and probing I was advised the situation was a lot more serious than originally thought as the drain had most likely collapsed. You contacted me the next day to discuss the situation and advise we may want to contact Scottish Water and our insurance company before progressing any further. Thank you for your honest and professional advice. This was invaluable and led to us getting the drain reconstructed through our insurance, saving us a fortune. Your sound business acumen will give me no hesitation in recommending your services to my family, friends and contacts.

    Angela Andrews, Arrow Corporate Promotions

    All in All a Pleasure to Deal With

    I just wanted to note my thanks for the work your team carried out at my house earlier this week. They arrived when notified, got the job done without any fuss and called me while they were working at the house to explain, get my okay to cut an inspection hole in a pipe to get the blockage cleared. All in all a pleasure to deal with. Many thanks again and I will promote your company to anyone who has a requirement for the services you offer.

    Alan Mackie, Campbell Mackie Limited

    I Would Not Hesitate to Recommend

    We at Aspray manage buildings insurance claims on behalf of the policy holder and on this particular claim, the claimant had a blocked downpipe and had tried to enlist one of their own contractors to deal with the issue at hand. After speaking with their contractor, I was not satisfied by the service I felt they would be providing suggesting an external dig with no valid reasoning behind it. At this point I leant on Jay for advice on the matter telling him everything that they had told me, after speaking with Jay I felt reassured on the matter to which I relayed to my client. After several days they came back to me requesting I instruct Jay. Jay and his team attended the job in Dundee and in one visit the drain was clear not requiring the external dig as was first quoted and the client was delighted with the service that was provided, but also that it was a third of the price that the initial contractor had quoted with a lot less mess and hassle. Going forward I would not hesitate to recommend TCF Environmental to any of my clients and I hope we can continue to work closely in the future.

    Ryan McGuigan, Aspray

    An Expert in what He Does

    Very prompt service, unblocking a drainpipe for me. Jay is really pleasant to deal with and very honest and upfront. Obviously an expert in what he does and no hesitation in recommending his services.

    Colin Moulson

    He Had His Men at the Job at 8am the Next Morning

    Two weeks ago, I received an email at 9:30pm showing me pictures of serious water ingress at a large contract we were doing in Glasgow. I never slept a wink as it appeared to be coming in an area that we had almost completed. I called Jay Duncan at TCF and he had his men at the job at 8am the next morning. They proceeded to jet the drains and found a branch on the internal drain had become slightly detached much to my relief as there was no blame attached to us. They then managed to fix the pipe despite there being very limited access in loft area as client did not want a section of his ceiling taken down and supplied dehumidifiers to speed up the drying out process. I was thoroughly delighted with TCF service and will certainly recommend to everyone.

    Steven Malone, Evana Ltd

    We Are Delighted With the Results After Years of Water Problems

    You recently quoted and won the contract to replace our yard drainage and solve the problem of water cascading on to our car park from the railway embankment. You successfully solved our drainage problem by installing a new drain system and fitting new yard drains. We are delighted with the results after years of water problems in the car park, our tenants no longer have to tip toe over the water to reach their offices and the car park looks much cleaner and dry. We would certainly recommend TCF to any of our clients and friends who may have problems with drainage. Many thanks for your professionalism and competitive pricing on the work.

    Jackie Farrell, Farrell Motor Company

    Efficient, Non-Pushy and a Pleasure

    I asked Jay to come out to my farm as we had some issues with flooding at the garden where it meets the house. We arranged a time and date and Jay and crew arrived on time with equipment and after a brief discussion just got on with the job! After a few tests they decided a specialist camera was require and once that was available they booked an appointment again turning up on time. Once the job was completed a report of the problem and solution was emailed without pressure to complete further work by any set date. I find Jay and his company, TCF, to be efficient, non-pushy and a pleasure to work with and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

    Louise Shafar

    Methodical and Professional Approach to Business

    On behalf of my clients I would like to thank you and your team at TCF. Since joining Nexus you have carried out drainage investigations and tracing works for multiple clients. Many of our clients have commented on your polite and personable manner and your methodical and professional approach to business. It has also been noticed that this approach has been clearly instilled in your operatives that carry out the works on site. We will have no hesitation in to referring you to our clients as we continue to build our business relationship.

    George Skinner, SpaceSix Architects

    An Extremely Speedy Resolution

    I would like to thank you for the recent communal job that you did on behalf of Speirs Gumley at our shop in Kilmarnock Road. I called you to say we had blockages that were potentially communal but affecting the bottom floor (us) the most. You did an immediate camera survey, identified the issues and dealt with the factor to get an extremely speedy resolution. The problem is fixed and there was absolutely no disruption to the business. I have and do recommend you where possible and will continue to do so.

    Andy Hart, Soapbox Digital Media

    They Were Both Courteous and Professional

    I have had the opportunity to use the services of TCF on two occasions. Firstly for an explanatory drain survey which demonstrated the efficiency of your technology and equipment and subsequently to clear a blockage in a soil pipe. On both occasions your operatives arrived when agreed and carried out the job in an efficient and professional manner. They were both courteous and professional and I would not hesitate to recommend TCF to friends, family and others throughout my contact sphere.

    Jonathan Green, WGM Legal

    We will keep you fully informed every step of the way

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    WHY CHOOSE US?

    About TCF Environmental

    T.C.F Environmental are dedicated to providing a top-notch customer experience. We use the most modern plant and equipment, operated by our highly trained team, to tackle any drainage problem. Our goal is to bring the best of our culture to market, so that our customers can be confident that they are getting the best possible service.

    IN THE NEWS

    What's going on at
    TCF Environmental?

    drain inspection
    August 29, 2023

    Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspection

    At TCF, we use the very latest micro-CCTV camera technology to inspect our clients drainage systems. This allows us to identify exactly what it is that is causing a blockage, or the extent of the damage in the event of a cracked or collapsed drain.

    CCTV inspections allow for a swift and accurate diagnosis of commercial and domestic drainage problems and are a fantastic way for property developers and new property owners to get an exact idea of the current state of the pipework they are dealing with.

    We can then create the perfect plan to help resolve any issues, without the need to bring in a third party of give you the hassle of finding multiple contractors just to resolve your drainage problems.

    Drain survey CCTV has the potential to save you a tremendous amount of time and money and this article will tell you why guiding you through just some of the biggest advantages to a CCTV drain survey.

    How does a CCTV drain survey work?

    When you arrange a CCTV drain survey with TCF Environmental, we will use our micro-CCTV HD cameras to examine the inside of your drains without the need for excavation and the disruptive digging up of half your premises.

    Our expect technicians will use the footage from these cameras to identify any issues such as cracks or blockages they require repairs or cleaning to remedy. We will then show you the footage and carry out the required remedial work, leaving your drainage system free flowing once again. 

    We added CCTV inspections to our ever growing range of drainage services to allow us to offer a more comprehensive service to our commercial clients and it has been a roaring success up to this point.

    Benefits of a CCTV Drain Survey

    Accurate Diagnostic

    There is no better way to diagnose the root cause of a drainage issue than through drain survey CCTV. Live footage from inside your pipes leaves no doubt over the cause and extent of any issues. 

    It allows us to better prepare a strategy to resolve your problems and gives you peace of mind that the work is required and understand the approach that we recommend. The only other way to accurately diagnose drainage issues is through excavation, something that, as you can imagine, is far more disruptive, costly, and time consuming.

    If you run a business, you want your drain problems resolved as quickly and discreetly as possible, and a CCTV survey is the key to achieving this. The last thing you need is excavators on site for days or weeks on end trying to find the source of your issues, disturbing customers and making all sorts of noise. We often identify and resolve drainage issues on the very same day with our combination of CCTV surveys, drain relining technology, and high pressure water jetting a potent combination against all drainage issues.

    Fast Results

    CCTV surveys take well under an hour, after which you will have a clear picture of drain issues. We can arrange our inspections to suit your needs and are happy to attend to your site after hours if you are a business looking to avoid disruption.

    Full Report 

    CCTV surveys not only provide us with a live view of exactly what is going on in your drains, they also produce a recorded video that can be used to assess the issues several times. For surveyors, insurers, property developers, and more this is also an important record that can be used as part of reports and development plans. You will receive your own copy of this footage to store in your records and do with as you wish.

    Training

    A CCTV survey of drainage tells you exactly what caused your drain problems. This not only allows them to be resolved but also allows you to take steps to ensure that a similar incident is never allowed to happen again in the future.

    If you find that a blockage was the result of the wrong items being placed down the drain or a build up of waste as a result of malpractice from staff or residents above, the footage taken can be used to form a vital learning tool to show to others in your premises. Seeing the effects of their actions in HD quality will help to reinforce the message you are putting across and help to modify their actions for the better.

    No Nasty Surprises

    As a property developer, discovering a problem with the drainage on your property mid-way through development is a complete nightmare. You might need to pause or even undo some of the work that has already been done, adding a huge amount of time and money to your project.

    A CCTV survey allows you to find out exactly what you are getting yourself into from the very beginning, giving you all the information required to plan any repairs accordingly and avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.

    drain inspection
    August 15, 2023

    How to Unblock an Outside Drain

    Outside drains remove water from your home and move it into the public drains located outside your property boundaries.

    Many properties have a kitchen drain located on the exterior near the kitchen which may well be the cause of a blockage if you are dealing with slow draining sinks or pooling water. There may also be another outside drain that is responsible for removing wastewater from other parts of the home, namely bathrooms.

    Before you take action to clear your outside drain, it is worth noting that if you live in a terraced property, or a semi-detached home, you may well share your outside drains, and should consult with your neighbours before you take action.

    Talking to your neighbours can also give you crucial information about the location of a blockage. If you are the only one who is experiencing problems, the chances are that the blockage is in or close to your own property, and not in an outside shared drain.

    TCF Environmental are Glasgow’s leading drain clearing and repair company and have seen all sorts of blockages over the years. If you are struggling to find the source of your drainage problems or simply want the issue to go away as fast as possible, the best thing to do is to give us a call. In some situations, however, you may be able to clear your own exterior drains, especially if the blockage itself is located on the exterior of the drain and not deep within the pipework.

    We have put together this guide to doing just that to help you have your drains running freely once again as soon as possible.

    Locating Your Drain

    External drains on your property are usually located outside the kitchen directing waste water from the ground floor of your property into the public drains. Drainpipes will usually be used to transfer water from appliances on the upper floors. If your drainage issues are only affecting the upper floor of your home, there is a good chance that the blockage is in a drainpipe rather than the ground floor drain.

    What Causes Outside Drain Blockages?

    The causes of outside drain issues include:

    • Garden debris – Sometimes drainage issues can be resolved simply by locating your external drains and removing the leaves and other garden waste that have accumulated there over time.
    • Tree roots – Trees that are growing too close to your home can pose all sorts of problems, with roots that can dislodge and invade your drainage system. Tree roots can cause drains to crack and cause blockages of their own and unfortunately will required professional assistance to ensure their removal.
    • Foreign objects – Drainage issues are regularly caused by misuse, with people flushing wet wipes, sanitary products, and other items that are not designed to fit down your toilet and sink.

    If you are unsure what it is that is at fault for your blocked drain and cannot determine the cause through a visual inspection of the external drain alone, why not arrange for a CCCTV drainage inspection with the team here at TCF environmental. Our micro-CCTV cameras will reveal in HD clarity exactly what is causing your problems and allow you to arrange for the appropriate action to be taken.

    How to Unblock an Outside Drain

    If you can see the cause of a blocked drain simply by looking at the drain itself, the remedy could be as simple as removing the leaves of garden debris that has gathered there. You can remove the cover of the drain to examine it in closer detail and give it a good clean.

    Once the cover has been removed you can also shine a torch down below to see if there is any obvious grime that could easily be cleaned away. If not the issues are probably located further down in the drain.

    One great homemade way to shift any drain blockages is to create a drain cleaner using a combination on bicarbonate soda and vinegar. Pour a similar amount of both substances down your drain and wait for the bubbling and fizzing solution to work its magic. For the best results, combine this solution with using a drain rod which are specifically designed to find and dislodge minor blockages.

    If your homemade drain cleaner isn’t making progress, take a trip to your local supermarket and see what they have on offer instead. Make sure to look for drain cleaners that are specifically designed for outdoor drains as they will likely be made of stronger chemicals than the ones designed for sink and shower unclogging.

    The final thing you might want to try is using a pressure washer to send water down the drain in an attempt to dislodge a blockage. If this doesn’t work you are best off calling the experts in. Our high pressure jetting is commercial grade and offers far higher pressures and better results than the jet you use to clean your car or garden.

    Call us now to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.

    plumber fixing sink
    August 1, 2023

    Signs You Might Have a Blocked Drain

    Severely blocked drains aren’t subtle and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that something is wrong if water starts coming back up from your sink or bathtub, or stops draining away completely.

    However, often blockages build up over time, and knowing the symptoms of a partially blocked drain to watch out for will allow you to take early preventative action to stop the issue getting any worse.

    Ignoring these signs is the worst thing you can do as allowing a blockage to build can increase pressure and could result in a partially or fully collapsed drain that will require professional drain repair and even excavation in some cases.

    Common Signs of a Blocked Drain

    A blocked drain in your business or home drainage system can have serious consequences and acting fast is the key to avoiding disaster. Get in touch with the professional team at TCF Environmental as soon as you spot any of the following signs of a blockage.

    Strange Noises

    If your drain has started making a strange gurgling noise when water is draining away, it could be an indication that there is a blockage somewhere in the pipework.

    As waste water drains away, it will pass by any objects that are partially blocking the pipes. As it does so, trapped air will be released, causing the gurgling sound that you can hear from up in your kitchen or bathroom. There are many things that could be at fault for a build-up of trapped air, from food waste, hair, and oil that has accumulated over time to a single outsized object that has become wedged in a U-Bend.

    This blockage may also may its presence known in other ways such as causing water to drain slowly, but if the blockage is currently still pretty small, this sound may be the earliest indication that you get. Acting now will help keep any damage to an absolute minimum.

    Slow Draining Water

    Most drain blockages only block off a portion of your pipework, at least at first, meaning that water will be able to get past, but at a slower rate than would otherwise be the case. If you notice that your sink, bath, or toiler are draining slower than they used to, a partial blockage is almost certainly the root cause.

    This will likely get worse and worse over time, until eventually water doesn’t drain at all, and can even end up coming back up out of the plughole. By this stage the pressure in the pipes will be significant and a burst or collapsed drain is a very real possibility. Get your drains cleaned as soon as your water begins to drain slowly to keep the risk of this to a minimum and avoid potentially extortionate repair bills.

    Nasty Odours

    If food debris is responsible for the blockage in your pipes, you may well be able to detect a pretty nasty smell with no obvious source coming from your sink or toilet. This smell will tend to get worse over time and be particularly pungent when water drains through the blockage.

    Water Backing Up

    When you run water into a blocked drain and it is unable to escape downwards into the sewer, it will be forced to look for another exit route. In some cases, this will simply cause the water in the sink of toiler you were using to drain slowly or not at all, but it can also lead to water going back up other pipes in the system.

    If this happens you might find that water comes out of the drain in your bathtub when you run the washing machine, or from the kitchen sink after washing your hands in the bathroom and vice versa. There is no case where water should come back out of a drain if the system is working as it should so if you do see water backing up from your drains you clearly have an issue and should call a drain cleaning expert as soon as you possibly can.

    TCF Environmental are Here to Help

    If you believe that you do indeed have a blocked drain on your business site, or in your home, TCF Environmental are here to help. We offer CCTV drain inspections allowing us to identify exactly what is causing your blocked drain issues, and use industry leading jet washing technology and professional drain rods to clear away even the toughest of blockages. 

    Get in touch today if you have noticed any of the signs mentioned above and our expert team will be delighted to assist you.

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