Tips to keep your drains blockage-free

Let's face it, blocked drains are nasty. Not only do they smell and make a mess, they’re also a health hazard. They can spread disease and it can also affect your electrics, which is a massive safety concern. Worse still, it can be very costly to fix. Blockages can spread to your neighbours, which would cost you even more. Whilst this would be good news for me, it would be very bad news for you. Here are some tips to help you keep those drains clear and save you some cash at the same time.

Spot It Early

As with most problems in life, the longer you leave it then the worse it gets. Your drains are no exception. Keep your eyes peeled for any tell-tale signs that could potentially save you in the long run.

First of all, listen out for the gurgling sound when you bath or toilet is draining. This is due to the water displacing any trapped air in the pipe. Also check how quickly the water drains out, this can often be a gradual change which you won’t notice at first. Make sure there are no bad smells when you use any of the sinks, as this is a sign of trapped waste. Have a look at your grid outside the house when draining water. Does it all go down or does some of it come back up again?

Many of these are symptoms of fairly minor problems, but if they are ignored then it could result in major (and expensive) problems later on.

Watch what you flush

One of the major causes of blocked drains is what goes down the toilet. This includes baby wipes, nappies, tampons and cotton wool buds. Make sure these go in the bin with the rest of your rubbish.  I’ve even found kids toys stuck in the pipes, which can cause major blockages. After showering or bathing, make sure any hair is removed from the plug hole as this is a big cause of blockages. When cleaning your bathroom, pour some biodegradable bleach down your plug holes and in the toilet. This will help removed any small amounts of waste that may be down there.

Be careful with in the kitchen as well. Most household drains are not made to cope with general food waste. Make sure you scrape all your plates properly before they go in the sink. This applies to your pots and pans as well. Try to avoid pouring fat and oil down the drain. This helps any waste that’s already down there to stick together and cause more problems. If possible, wait for it to cool down and put it in the bin. If you need to pour it down, keep the tap running before and after so that it doesn't have a chance to settle.

Keep an eye outside

Your drainage problems may not be caused by what happens inside you house. Keep an eye on your outside drains. Make sure the grid is securely in place and that there is no debris covering it. Keep your back yard or garden clean and brush it regularly, so that no debris goes near it. Check where the guttering pours out to as it will usually end up in your drain. It is advisable to regularly clean out your gutters to avoid problems later.

So keep an eyes peeled around the house. It may save you money in the long term. We also provide a maintenance service to keep your drains flowing freely and avoid expensive problems in the future.