Maintaining Drains
My drains keep getting blocked, what could be causing this problem?
When drains are continually getting blocked it can be down to a number of reasons.
- The drains need cleaning. Scalie, dirty drains can cause reduced flow and slow moving drains can leave large deposits behind which will eventually cause a blockage in drainage pipes.
- There is a fault with the drains. Collapsed or broken drains can cause them to continually get blocked up. The best way to determine a problem of this nature is by carrying out a CCTV survey of the drainage system. Once the fault is located it can be fixed using the appropriate method.
- Tree roots can often cause problems within drainage systems, When roots enter the drain seeking out water they can completely block drains within a few months.
- Inappropriate disposal of waste in the drainage system. Large bulky items such as nappies, sanitary towels and incontinence pads can easily become lodged in drain and sewer pipes which can cause blockages. It is also important to remember not to dispose of cooking oils, grease and fats into your drains or sewer. Although in liquid form oils etc look harmless, when they cool they congeal and harden and then stick to the inner lining of drainage and sewer pipes. This effect then reduces the flow of the waste water and can cause blocked drains.
What can I do to reduce the risk of getting a blocked drain?
Below are a few useful tips about how to help prevent a blocked drain.
- Always remove hair clumps that collect around bath plug holes and wash basins.
- Prevent small objects from falling into the toilet. If you keep your toilet roll or other small items on top of the toilet or on a shelf above the toilet, there is always a risk that they might fall in which could cause a blockage.
- Keep an eye on small children near the toilet. I speak from personal experience when I say that small children really seem to enjoy flushing there toys or other objects down the toilet. It goes without saying that bathroom plumbing was not built for match box cars.
- Regularly clean your drain pipes using boiling hot water and disinfectant.
- Do not dispose of food waste, nappies, wet wipes or any other large or bulky items down the drain pipes.
- Never dispose of cooking fat, grease or oils down the drains.
- Prevent leaves and soil from entering the drainage system. Checking your roof guttering about twice a year and removing any debris from gutters and down pipes will help prevent foreign objects from entering the drainage system.
- Lift inspection chamber lids (manholes) regularly and inspect your drains. If this process is done once every couple of months you can prevent major drain blockages before they happen. You will also be able to prevent any roots from growing up the drainage system by pulling them out before they grow too large.
- It is also possible to flush your external drains/sewer with hot water and disinfectant just as you would with you internal drains.
- Have your drains jetted through by a professional with a high pressure jetting hose. This will clean any build up of fat, lime scale and grease which will restore the maximum capacity of your drains.
- For full peace of mind have your drains and sewers inspected regularly using CCTV. Regular drain surveys can inform you of any impending blockages. It will also tell you the condition of the drain and whether or not any further maintenance work is required.