Prevention is better than cure, so they say, and it is true in the case of blocked drains. There are many things around the home that can go wrong and cost us a lot of money to repair, drainage being one of them.
Have you noticed lately, that the water is taking a long time to disappear down the plug hole? Or is the drain at the back of the house overflowing into the garden whenever the washing machine empties into it? These are indications of a building problem that is better dealt with sooner than later.
There are certain things that should never be poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet in the first place. The biggest culprit for drainage problems is fat. The sink offers a convenient place to pour liquid fat away, but it does not stay in liquid form once it cools. Small amounts of fat line the walls of the drain and, over time, reduce the waste flow.
Here are some steps you must take, for financial and hygiene reasons, to check the drainage in the home before it fails completely.
Plug Holes
It is common for the draining time from sinks to get longer after months or years, but this is usually solved easily. It is caused by a buildup of grease, grime, hair, and anything else that found its way into the plug hole. Underneath the sink, there is a trap. This is designed to hold a small amount of water after the sink is empty which will stop foul smells coming back up from the sewage system, but it is also a good place for debris to build and block the water flow. You will find the trap directly below the plug hole. It is easily removed by unscrewing it anticlockwise. Wash it out, but not in the sink you are working on, remove any debris, and replace it. The draining water will flow freely once more.
Drain Inspection
Sometimes it is best to inspect the drains to find out their condition. The best way to do this is to contact a company offering drain cleaning in Essex. They have special cameras that are put into the drains for inspection, and people are often surprised at what they see there. Your drains may contain a buildup of fat, an unfortunate doll that was accidentally flushed away while taking a swimming lesson in the toilet, granny’s false teeth; lots of things that can build up and create a blockage. A common culprit for blocked drains is tree root damage. The roots sometimes penetrate the pipes and give a foothold for other materials to build up against.
When a problem is found, it can often be cured with drain rods, pressure washing, or sometimes a liner is installed. Sometimes, however, the problem is so severe that the pipe has to be replaced. This obviously entails expensive groundwork that may not be covered by your home insurance.
Most, but not all, drain problems can be avoided by taking care over what goes down them. They do an important job without making a fuss mostly, but when a problem does arise, many activities in the home come to a standstill and it is very inconvenient. So change your ways today and avoid future upsets. It is not all that difficult.
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