Firstbase Drainage Services

We got to know Dean Richardson and his team of drainage engineers very well after an extremely problematic job that had everyone scratching their heads. Dean and team worked tirelessly, even coming back on a Bank Holiday (without charging extra) and to hold onsite meetings with Thames Water. The job itself was a complex 'can of worms' in sewers and drains 180 years old. Dean did not let that deter him and he was indefatigable, never stopping until he reached the source of the problem and the solution. The digging works were were remediated to a very high standard, and they even pressure washed the drive way clean once finished. The price was very competitive and the company were fully understanding of our insurance issues, and did not hassle us for immediate payment. If we ever have drainage issues again, it is First Base that will be my first contact! I have recommended them highly to all of my friends.

Our part of the sewer channel leading to the main drain had collapsed. The guys dug out the area and fitted a new channel leading right up to the next door manhole. They also closed off an entry where rats were able to come under the house. The work was done on time and in a professional way. We were able to discuss the work beforehand and were kept updated during the process which took half a day. The work was carried out in a clean and organised way which gave us confidence. We are very pleased with the work and the company.

Overflowing drains caused by blockage of fallen leaves. Dean fully resolved this and replaced the chicken wire so it properly covered the drain. Bill was much less than expected as he said it was a quick job. Would definitely be my go to guy for drain work in the future.

Dean diagnosed and dealt with a blocked and cracked drain with an uncovered access point in a dark and almost inaccessible disused basement. It was hot, smelly and the air was full of flies. There were signs that rats had been around but Dean and his team just got on with it. He also found a blockage (a mini fatberg) upstream from the main problem and dealt with that too, as well as rebuilding the badly configured drain behind the house where kitchen waste frequently overflowed. They did a great job, were incredibly helpful and cleared up well afterwards.

Dean came to sort a problem with some subsidence on my driveway and agreed that he needed to dig down to the drain, create an access point and then reinstate the drive from that some builders had botched some time ago. On what was the hottest day of the year they worked so hard and we now have a pristine driveway that looks like new. They treated our property with respect and cleaned up after themselves. One of my neighbours has asked him to have a look at her drains so he picked up some additional work while he was here. He is polite, ever so knowledgeable and more importantly, extremely honest and trustworthy, everything a Which Trusted Trader should be. Well done

My parents had an ongoing problem with rats over the last 20 years; but was too embarrassed to do anything about it. Sometimes you would not see 1 for months and then 8-10 in a week. We live behind a small stream.Eventually, I had enough. I called one contractor, he advised us to use firstbase. We called, left message. Dean called the next day. When he came with the crew, they put a camera down all possible drain points; and found an old, unused drain pipe as the rats point of access. He explained the procedure and cost. Excellent price and also excellent and friendly customer service. They did the job straight away as they came with all the necessary equipment. Over a year later...no more rats, or scratching under flooring. Thank you so much. 100% recommended. So sorry I did not review earlier Dean!Please use this trader.

Dean Richardson sorted a blocked shower outlet for even less than the (already reasonable) call out fee he quoted, and even threw in a tiling repair without making any extra charge. He was also happy to come back and sort a further problem, not of his making, without any charge at all. He was very pleasant and helpful.

I contacted Dean but he was on a job so told me that he would call me back. Sometimes this doesn't happen but Dean did call me very soon afterwards. He came out to my house later that same day. He quickly identified the problem with my drains and cleared them within a minute or so. He then did further investigation as to why they were getting blocked and narrowed it down to a U-trap where my drain goes out to the main drain in the road. This is common apparently with older properties. He checked the pipes with a camera and jet cleaned the U-trap. He was very honest and said that it will block again at some time but it is impossible to say when. He also said that the U-trap can be removed and replaced with a straight section of pipe and that it was a two hour job. I will definitely use Dean again as he was reasonably priced, efficient, honest and friendly.

I had given up hope of ever solving the problem I had at my premises in North London particularly since I had previously had cameras down my drains and the problem wasn’t discovered. 4 years of intermittent rat problems under the floorboards and two years of drain smells coming and going. Lanes for Drains came out about 25 times... I had been assigned my own Thames Water engineer... he didn’t find the problem... So after having cameras down my drain previously, pest control trying to get rid of rats, drain people coming out and cleaning my gullies, me spending £600 pulling up a laminate floor to look for a sewage leak.... Dean came and identified a disused pipe which rats had eaten through the rubble to get to and he plugged it... job done in an hour! Cannot praise him highly enough. A huge thank you!! Fiona