When storm season well and truly hit recently, our DALROD Peterborough engineers were ready for anything. Or so they thought…
Strong winds and heavy rain always bring a surge of callouts, but this one turned into a story nobody expected.
A Routine Callout Takes a Strange Turn
The Peterborough team were called to a local properly with severely blocked drains. At first, this seemed like a standard job. Our engineers set to work using high-pressure water jetting (HPWJ) equipment and began clearing the initial blockage. The first section came away easily, and everything suggested a typical storm-related issue.
However, as engineers worked further into the line, they hit something stubborn which wasn’t behaving like normal debris. After inspecting the contents of the drain, a huge ball of feathers emerged, completely covered in foul waste.
An Unusual Cause
Our teams have seen a vast array of blockage causes, but this wasn’t something we see every day. Feathers aren’t a usual culprit in domestic drainage systems, and our engineers on site were genuinely puzzled. To investigate, they inspected several other manholes around the property.
Shockingly, more feathers were found sitting in different sections of the system.
There was no obvious source, no damage to manholes and no sign of wildlife intrusion. Just feathers, and lots of them. Storm Claudia had definitely left the Peterborough team with a mystery!
Calling in the Tanker
With multiple lines affected, it was clear the blockage was more extensive than it first appeared. A tanker unit was brought in to clear every run of pipework, removing both the feathers and built-up waste that had formed around them.
This step was essential. Large masses like this can cause repeated blockages, foul odours and structural damage if left untreated.
Once everything was removed, the system was flushed through and checked again. All lines were left clear and flowing exactly as they should be.
A Reminder: Storms Can Hide Unusual Problems
Winter weather and storms don’t just bring rainfall. They can push materials further into the drainage system. Even items that seem harmless (like feathers!) can cause major disruption when they clump together.
Learn more about how to winter-proof your drains here.
Our Peterborough team handled the situation quickly and safely, but it’s an important reminder that blocked drains aren’t always caused by what you’d expect.
Need Help After a Storm? We’re Here 24/7
If you notice slow drainage, foul smells, or gurgling sounds after heavy weather, don’t ignore it. Small issues can escalate fast.
Contact DALROD today for fast, reliable, and professional drainage support.
We’re here day and night, and always ready for the unexpected.
