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Gully Cleaning

Keeping surface drainage flowing freely — before problems arise

Gullies and drainage channels play a critical role in handling surface water, preventing flooding and protecting your property.

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Gully Cleaning & Maintenance in Cumbria

When gullies become clogged by leaves, silt, debris, or road dirt, your drainage system struggles to cope during heavy rainfall. At Unblock Cumbria, we offer professional gully cleaning and maintenance services across Cumbria and the Scottish Borders, ensuring water can drain away safely and efficiently every time it rains.

Our teams arrive with high-powered vacuum tankers and jetting equipment to extract sludge and debris, flush the pipe network, and inspect the system for blockages or damage.

Whether for domestic driveways, commercial car parks, or highway drainage, our cleaning ensures your system works properly and remains compliant with local regulations.

Our Services

  • Removal of silt, leaves, soil and waste from gullies, grids and channels

  • Full flushing of gully leads and connecting pipework to ensure unobstructed flow

  • Vacuum extraction with high-capacity tankers

  • Post-clean CCTV inspection to confirm clear lines

  • Scheduled maintenance plans (annual, biannual, or quarterly)

  • Gully debris removal for highways and public areas

  • Reinstatement and cleaning of gully surrounds and frames

  • Reporting and documentation for regulatory compliance

Whether it’s a single drive gully or an entire estate drainage system, we treat every job with the same care, using the right equipment to ensure minimal disruption and maximum effectiveness.

Why Gullies Clog

Gully blockages often begin gradually, but can escalate quickly. Here’s why they happen:

  • Accumulation of leaves, soil, and garden debris, especially in autumn

  • Road runoff carrying silt, grit, plastics, and particulate pollution

  • Build-up of sediment from slow-flowing water

  • Ingress from tree roots or broken pipes upstream

  • Structural damage or misalignment in gully leads

  • Poor maintenance or irregular cleaning schedules

When left unchecked, clogged gullies can cause water backing up onto roads or property, flood damage, and increased maintenance costs. A proactive cleaning programme mitigates risk and protects your drainage infrastructure.

Why Choose Us?

  • Specialist equipment – High-capacity vacuum tankers and high-pressure jetters to clear even the toughest blockages

  • Local knowledge and coverage – Serving Cumbria and the Scottish Borders with fast response times

  • Certified engineers – Fully trained, insured, and NADC/CHAS-compliant

  • No hidden fees – Clear, transparent quotes before any work begins

  • Preventative approach – Maintenance plans to reduce emergency call-outs

  • Full inspection and reporting – CCTV verification, before/after photos, and maintenance recommendations

We don’t just clean — we monitor your system, detect early signs of deterioration, and help you avoid bigger problems in future.

Areas We Cover

We’re proud to serve customers throughout Cumbria and beyond, including:

If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just give us a call — our friendly team will be happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

How often should gullies be cleaned?

Gullies should typically be cleaned at least once a year, although busy roads, commercial sites and areas prone to leaf fall may require more frequent servicing. Regular cleaning prevents silt, debris and litter from building up, ensuring the system can handle heavy rainfall and reducing the risk of surface water flooding.

Can gully cleaning prevent road flooding?

Yes. Blocked gullies are one of the most common causes of localised road flooding. Regular cleaning keeps water flowing freely into the drainage system, allowing it to cope with storms and rapid surface runoff. Preventative maintenance is especially important in autumn and winter when debris build-up is at its highest.

What equipment do you use?

We use specialist vacuum tankers and high-pressure jetting units to remove silt, sludge, leaves and debris effectively. Jetting nozzles help clear connecting pipework, while the powerful suction system lifts waste safely from the gully pot. This professional combination ensures a thorough clean and helps maintain full hydraulic capacity.

Is gully cleaning disruptive?

Disruption is minimal. Our teams work efficiently and safely, often completing each gully in just a few minutes. Where necessary, we use temporary traffic management or cones to protect both our operatives and the public. We always aim to keep roads, car parks and site access routes open wherever possible.

Will the gully get blocked again quickly?

A properly cleaned gully should perform well for months, but the rate of re-blocking depends on local conditions such as tree cover, road use and weather. Sites near woodland or busy roads may require more frequent visits. Regular maintenance significantly reduces the likelihood of repeat blockages and flooding.

Do you provide gully cleaning for commercial and council properties?

Yes. We work with councils, highways teams, construction companies, retail parks, industrial estates and private landlords. Whether you need a single visit or a scheduled maintenance plan covering hundreds of gullies, we tailor the service to your site, budget and compliance requirements.

Is it necessary to inspect the pipes after cleaning?

In many cases, yes. Cleaning removes surface debris, but underlying faults such as collapsed pipes, root ingress or heavy siltation may still restrict flow. A CCTV inspection provides a clear picture of the system’s condition and helps identify defects early, preventing sudden failures or costly emergency repairs.

Get Your Free Quote

You’re in safe hands with our experienced, security-cleared engineers. For immediate help, call 01900 870 140. Prefer email? Complete our contact form and we’ll get back to you quickly with a clear, tailored quote.