As we enter the autumn and winter season, there are certain maintenance tasks and household checks that all homeowners should be turning their attention towards. One which is often underrated and under-talked about is drain maintenance – though the damage caused by a blocked drain can be both incredibly inconvenient and costly (not to mention unpleasant for all involved!
To help homeowners avoid the need for emergency drain cleaning in London this winter, we’ve created this basic guide to avoiding a blocked drain – sharing three key tips for ensuring your drains run smoothly and without issue.
1. Book In A Regular Drain Cleaning Maintenance Service
The first and most important thing that you can do to ensure that your drains don’t become blocked and backed up this winter, is to book a drain maintenance cleaning service. A regular service which ensures that your drains are free from any growing or potential blockages, drain maintenance involves flushing through the drains with a pressurised jet of water. This breaks down any build up which has started to set in the drains or pipes and restores a clean and clear flow of water through your pipe network.
The benefit of a regular drain maintenance service, even when you aren’t experiencing the symptoms of a blockage, is that you will avoid the problematic (and costly) outcomes of a full scale blockage.
2. Educate Yourself On What Causes Blockages
What better way to avoid blockages than to educate yourself on exactly what causes them? Many of our clients come to us because they are struggling to know what steps to put in place to protect their own drains – which is where our awareness and advice articles come in.
Some of the most common culprits of drain blockages are often the least expected – including a build up of hair from the shower, cooking oil, and other food debris which gets washed down your kitchen sink. Other foreign objects and items which can cause blockages include wet wipes and other sanitary products which often get flushed down the toilet. Finally, and one which is particularly important to note during the autumn and winter months, is outside debris including leaves and fallen twigs and branches, which can clog up the outside pipes and gutters, causing issues deep within your drainage network.
3. Know The Signs Of A Blocked Drain
Finally, if you are unable to prevent a blocked drain then knowing the signs and being able to spot them early is the best way to attack the issue before it causes too much damage.
Some of the signs of a blocked drain to familiarise yourself with include an unpleasant aroma around your drainage sites, a gurgling sound from inside pipes, and slow draining sinks and plug holes.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, be sure to get in touch with your local drain cleaning specialists for more advice.