What to do with a blocked drain and how to avoid them!
If you find yourself facing a drain blockage, chances are, it won’t be the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last. Every so often, blocked drains rear their ugly head, which can wreak havoc on your building’s waste-water systems. When you notice a drain blockage, it is crucial to seek the help of a plumber as soon as possible to avoid any unpleasant smells on your property or, worse, damage to your pipework. But what causes blocked drains, and how can you prevent them?
How do Drain Blockages Occur?
Blocked drains are caused by a physical blockage in the drain pipe that prevents water from passing through. Drainpipes are relatively narrow, so debris that shouldn’t be there can easily become trapped. There are instances where blocked drains result from blockages in the sewerage system outside of your property, in which case, you must alert your local water authority. The most common causes for blocked drains are:
Flushing wet wipes down the toilet
Flushing sanitary products down the toilet
Pouring cooking fats & oils down the sink
An accumulation of hair in the shower drain
Leaves & other debris in outdoor drains
How to Recognise When Your Drains Are Blocked
There are four main signs to look out for, which indicate a blocked drain. If you are experiencing any of the following issues with your drainage system, then it is essential to arrange a drainage service straight away to resolve the problem and prevent it from causing any permanent damage to your pipework:
Water takes a long time to empty from the sink
Foul smells coming up from your drains
Toilets taking longer to flush than usual
Waste coming back up through the drain
Whose Responsibility is it to Clear Drain Blockages?
It is the responsibility of the building owner or facilities manager to alert the local water company of any blockages to the system or main sewer pipes. However, if you have an issue with the drainage on your property, it is your responsibility to fix it, as it will be a direct result of one of the above blockages.
How to Manage Drain Blockages
In the inevitable instance that your drains do become blocked, you must act as quickly as possible. The more water building up in the drainage pipes, the more likely you will experience flooding, unpleasant smells, and, worst case, damage to your property’s pipework. Contacting your facilities manager or seeking the help of a 24-hour emergency drainage service is your best port of call for swiftly resolving the issue. With a CCTV drainage survey, they will be able to locate the source of the blockage, eliminate the problem and check the rest of the system for potential risks.
How to Keep Your Drains Clear
Properties in built-up areas, such as London, may face more frequent drainage issues due to extremely high demand on the sewerage system, so you must undergo regular drain inspections and try and minimise the number of blockages. Putting up signs in washrooms reminding people not to flush harmful items down the toilet is an effective way. Only human waste and toilet paper are suitable for toilet drainpipes. Fat and grease should be left to cool and discarded in the bin or via an oil recycling service. Other items, such as paint, should be disposed of via the appropriate waste disposal service.
Prevent Drain Blockages with SWL
Here at SWL Services, our engineers have a broad range of skill sets in managing property maintenance and drainage issues in and around London. Our 24-Hour emergency drainage service is available for when you need to act quickly to remove a blockage from the system. We complete 98% of all call-outs on the first visit and can provide a range of educational tip sheets for good toilet and drain care to prevent blockages from happening in the future. Contact SWL today to learn more about our property maintenance solutions.