CASE STUDY
How PipeFlow Drainage cleared a failed gully and returned a flooded vulnerable ward in Kent to full operation in under two hours.
CLIENT
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital
RESPONSE
On site within 45 minutes
LOCATION
Kent
SECTOR
Healthcare
SERVICES
Mechanical Coring,
High-Pressure Jetting
CCTV Drain Survey
Flood Extraction and Drying
Overview
At 08:30 on 20 June 2026, PipeFlow Drainage received an urgent call-out from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital. A blocked ground gully had failed, and floodwater was spreading through a ward caring for elderly and mobility-impaired patients.
Our emergency team was on site within 45 minutes, working alongside hospital staff under full NHS safety and infection control protocols. The blockage was cleared, the floodwater removed, the area dried, and the ward handed back safe and operational the same morning.
This was the second time the trust called on PipeFlow Drainage in Kent, following our emergency main line restoration and de-scaling work at Maidstone Hospital.
The Situation
Vulnerable wards carry no tolerance for standing water. The patients on this ward were elderly and mobility-impaired, and the risks stacked up quickly as the water rose:
Slips and falls for patients and staff
Infection control breaches in a clinical environment
Electrical hazards across the affected area
Immediate disruption to patient care and ward operations
The hospital estates team needed the gully cleared, the water gone, and the ward dry and usable again, all without moving vulnerable patients unnecessarily. Speed mattered, but so did doing it safely in a live healthcare setting.
Our Response
Step 1: Emergency Attendance and Site Containment
A qualified emergency team reached the hospital within 45 minutes of the call. Our engineers are certified to work in NHS environments and followed hospital infection control procedures throughout.
The first action was securing and containing the work area, keeping patients, staff, and visitors clear of the flooding and the equipment while the ward continued to operate around us.
Step 2: Clearing the Blocked Gully
The blockage was tackled from both sides. Internally, mechanical coring machines cut through the obstruction inside the pipework. Externally, a compact high-pressure water jetting unit broke up and flushed the remaining debris away without damaging the pipe.
Full drainage flow was restored within 90 minutes of our engineers starting work.
Step 3: CCTV Inspection and Verification
Once flow returned, we ran a CCTV drainage camera through the system to inspect the pipework internally, confirm the blockage had cleared completely, and check the integrity of the pipe. No point clearing a gully and leaving an unseen problem behind it.
Step 4: Flood Extraction and Drying
Industrial wet vacuums and pumps extracted all standing water from the ward. Dehumidifiers and air movers were then set up to dry the area rapidly, preventing the damp and mould problems that follow a flood when water is simply mopped and forgotten.
The ward was handed back to the hospital safe and operational by 10:00.
The Results
Ward fully restored with minimal disruption to patients and staff
Full drainage flow returned within 90 minutes
All floodwater extracted and the area dried the same morning
No lasting damage to the building or services
Normal ward operations resumed quickly
What the Hospital Said
"We cannot praise the PipeFlow Team enough for their speed, clear communication, and calm coordination throughout. From securing the area to arranging specialist support and keeping everyone informed, their professionalism under pressure ensured the situation was resolved safely and quickly. They are a vital part of keeping our hospital running smoothly."
Senior Operations Manager, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Why Choose PipeFlow Drainage
On site fast.
24/7 emergency response across Kent, London, and the South East, demonstrated by our 45-minute arrival at this hospital call-out.
Safe in live healthcare environments.
Fully qualified, insured, and DBS-checked engineers, working to NHS safety and infection control protocols.
The right equipment on the van.
Mechanical coring, high-pressure jetting, CCTV survey, extraction, and drying, all handled by one team on one visit.
Complete recovery, not just clearance.
We clear the blockage, verify the pipework, remove the water, and dry the area.
Trusted across Kent healthcare.
Hospitals, schools, care settings, and commercial sites throughout Kent and London.
Flooding or a blocked drain at your site? Call PipeFlow Drainage on:
PipeFlow Drainage Solutions Ltd · Available 24/7
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