Firstbase Drainage Services

Excellent service, they go above and beyond what was expected would use again and would recommend there very professional.

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

I asked Dean to investigate a couple of problems relating to drainage smells and he was exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. He fixed one problem very quickly and very thoroughly. With the other he had to do some detective work because what was happening did not seem to be physically possible. However, he persevered and came up with an explanation. He was on time and he was good value. I'd definitely hire him again.

We called out Dean because our house smelt of sewage and the smells were not going away, whatever we did and whoever we consulted. He was brilliant. He worked fast at identifying the problem ( in fact, several problems) and solved it. After months of terrible smells thanks to Dean, the smells have gone. He took us carefully through the causes, explained what he had done to remedy the situation and we do understand it now. He went about the work in the least disruptive and most cost efficient way. Dean is fast, efficient, competent and caring and as far as we are concerned worked miracles ( but explained them too which mattered!).

We had problems with rats getting into our loft. Dean quickly identified the problem and managed to resolve it, without any drama. I would thoroughly recommend Dean.

Dean and his colleagues turned up at the agreed time. They surveyed our drains, identified two breaches and lined the offending pipe, all within three hours and in the pouring rain. The charge was reasonable and value for money. They were skilled in what they did and a pleasure to deal with. We would use Firstbase again and we're happy to recommend them. Howard 08/08/2017

Really good service. Outside drain blocked and Dean came just as it started to rain and snow. Sorted the problem which wasn't straightforward and charged a decent price for it. No hesitation in recommending him.

I rang Dean with a nasty outside drain emergency (involving sewage ugh!) hoping he might be able to come the next morning - he was here within half an hour, and had sorted the problem within the hour. Very reasonable prices and friendly service.

Called Dean and he came at the first convenient date to unblock an outside drain that wasn't particularly urgent. Fixed the problem with no hassle. Excellent service and would highly recommend him.

Dean called back within a short time of my enquiry regarding a new drainage installation for a sewer pipe. I found his work to be first class, conscientious, and very professional, the work was completed better than my expectations. I like quality workmanship to say the least, and would have no hesitation in highly recommending Dean and his crew. I have booked him again for other work.

I needed a sewer specialist (my sewerage company confirmed that the problem was not something they would deal with) and without a personal recommendation I had to find someone off the internet. I always feel a bit apprehensive about this but Dean and his team deserve every positive word said about them on this site. Professional, friendly, hardworking, tidy, excellent communication and very good value for money (compared with others who gave me quotes). I investigated a rat hole in the garden which led me to the sewer pipe and an apparent sink hole! Dean did a camera survey of all my drain pipes, assessed the problems, explained it all to me agreed a price and was back the next day to fix it all. It was a lot of hard work: clearing 2 blockages, inserting 2 sleeves (one of which sealed a break in the pipe (which was probably the route the rats were taking to my loft) and replacing a manhole cover and identifying the hole as probably an old septic tank. The team was very indulgent of my curiosity to see what they were doing and how it all worked and Dean made a point of explaining the processes to me so I now understand my sewer pipes better. I would definitely recommend them and would use them again without hesitation.

I found Dean very professional and knowledgable. Initially he repaired a broken pipe outside of our house. During this work he discovered a water main leakage and we asked him to fix it for us. We are very satisfied with both jobs. And the communication about the progress of his work was excellent at all times. I would definetively recommend him.

Would recommend Dean , did a great job in replacing my damaged manhole cover and frame ,