HomesAndHedge guides

Drainage, outdoor surfaces and lawn problems: what to do

Many outdoor problems, from a blocked drain to a mossy roof or a waterlogged lawn, can be tackled yourself once you know what is causing them. This hub helps you identify the cause, judge how urgent it is, fix what you safely can, and decide when a drainage, roofing or lawn specialist is worth the cost.

Outdoor surfaces and drainage problems tend to creep up gradually, then become urgent: a slow-draining gully becomes a flood, a little roof moss becomes blocked gutters, a soggy patch becomes a waterlogged lawn. Catching them early keeps most of them within DIY reach.

Each guide follows the same shape: how to identify it, how serious it is, what you can safely do yourself, and who to call when you cannot. Where responsibility or method matters, we point to named sources such as your water company, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) or gov.uk guidance.

Blocked drains Varies: a slow gully is minor, a backing-up sewer is urgent Gutter cleaning Low for the blockage, but working at height is the real hazard Roof moss Low to moderate: often cosmetic, but it blocks gutters and holds damp Patio cleaning Low: cosmetic, but slippery algae is a slip hazard Waterlogged garden Low to moderate: rarely urgent, but persistent waterlogging needs drainage Soakaway problems Low to moderate: a slow nuisance that can cause waterlogging and damp Lawn moss Low: purely cosmetic, but it returns unless the cause is fixed Leatherjackets and chafer grubs Low to moderate: harmless to people, but can wreck a lawn

Frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for a blocked drain outside my house?

It depends where the blockage is. You are usually responsible for the drains within your property boundary, while the shared sewer beyond it is normally the water and sewerage company responsibility. If you are unsure, contact your water company, which can advise and often clears blockages in public sewers.

Which outdoor jobs can I do myself?

Clearing a single blocked gully or downpipe, cleaning a patio, scarifying moss from a lawn and clearing accessible gutters are usually within DIY reach with the right tools and safe access. Roof work at height, persistent drain blockages and major garden drainage are better left to specialists.

Why does my garden flood or stay waterlogged?

Common causes are heavy clay soil that drains slowly, compacted ground, a high water table, or surface water with nowhere to go. The RHS recommends improving soil structure and, where needed, adding drainage such as a soakaway or French drain. Persistent waterlogging may need a landscaper or drainage specialist.

Oliver Mackman

Editor, HomesAndHedge

Oliver leads HomesAndHedge's editorial coverage of home and garden problems. He researches and writes the plain-English explainers on pests, invasive plants, damp and mould, drainage and wildlife, drawing on guidance from bodies such as the Property Care Association, the RHS and the NHS, and is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.

Last reviewed: 8 June 2026