Your drainage system is often overlooked because it generally works well. However, when it goes wrong you know about it, especially if it means that sewage and waste are coming into your home. That’s a serious issue that needs urgent assistance.
The good news is that with a little maintenance you should be able to prevent issues before they appear, ensuring you can enjoy your home, waste-free.
Inspect the Pipes
One of the most important things you should do at least once a year is inspect your pipes. While you can tell that a blockage is appearing by water and waste draining more slowly, this doesn’t mean you’ll always know when a blockage is about to occur.
It’s worth removing any inspection covers to check the pipes. However, the best approach is to use a pipe inspection camera. This slides through the inside of the pipes and around the bends, giving you a perfect picture of what condition the inside of your pipes are in. You’ll be able to locate any issues and clear partial blockages before they become an issue.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners can help to keep your pipes clean. It is a good idea to use a bacteriological drain cleaner as this is not harmful to the environment while it is unlikely to damage the inside of your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners and unblockers are harsh and can damage the inside of your pipes. You should use these every few months and fit a drain blocker to help you collect debris before it goes down the drain.
Boiling Water
Oil and fats may go into your drain warm but they will cool and solidify in the pipes. This will lead to blockages and issues. But, something as simple as pouring hot water down the drain once a week will help to convert the solids back to liquid and push them out of your pipes and into the main drains. You should be aware that very hot water is good, boiling is not. Boiling water can actually damage the glue that holds the pipes together and increases the likelihood of leaks happening.
Consider What Goes Down The Drain
It’s important to think about what goes down the drains, food debris s an issue that can be sorted with a little care and a drain guard. But, there are several things that people put down the toilet which are going to increase the likelihood of a drain problem. Wet wipes and tampons are the most common products which cause issues, you should avoid putting them down the toilet.
Avoid Pet Hair Going Down the Drain
Finally, if you have pets then you’ll need to bath or shower them periodically. The problem is that a lot of hair will come off them when you do this if all the hair goes down the drain you could end up with an instant blockage. To avoid the issue and maintain your drainage system simply place a washcloth over the drain, it will allow the water through without letting the hair out. You can then dispose of the hair in the bin.
