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Although it shouldn’t and hopefully won’t happen often, finding yourself stuck with a blocked drain is an inconvenience that can quickly become a frustrating problem. However, there are a number of things you can do to deal with a blocked drain before it becomes a bigger problem, as well as effective ways to prevent it happening again. Here are some of our expert tips, though you can always speak to the AB Pipelines team if you need further advice:
Before stressing too much about the blockage check whether the drain is your responsibility. It could be the responsibility of your neighbouring properties, or it could be a public drain sewer maintained by your local water company. You can confirm this with your local authority if unsure.
If your kitchen sink, shower bath tub is overflowing it could simply be the case that the grating is clogged up and causing a blockage. For a quick fix, you can remove the grating with a screwdriver if needs be and clean away the build-up.
Most domestic drainage systems are based on a simple layout and drains will typically run through a manhole in your front garden to connect to the main sewer in the road. Many blockages occur in the u-shaped interceptor trap in this manhole so check there for any blockages that can be rid of. Ensure that you have the right manhole keys to life the cover, which can be purchased from a general builder’s store.
Although it can be quite daunting, you could try rodding through from the manholes once you’ve established where the blockage is. This involves using a large plastic rod being placed into the pipe to push the blockage away. A lot of household drain blockages can be managed easily by rodding and rods can be bought from most home hardware suppliers.
If you’re unsure about where the blockage is coming from or you don’t feel confident tackling it yourself, get in a local drainage and sewerage contractor that can professionally and efficiently clear away blockages. Many companies will offer an emergency blockage clearing service with a fast call out. This way you’ll be able to get an expert evaluation of the severity of the problem and additional work needed can be done straight away, without the need for another maintenance call out.
Carrying our regular maintenance is a key way to avoid mucky blockages. It’s advisable to do manhole checks around every 6 months, in order to clean away any grime or debris that could build up to clog the drain and see that the flow of water is in order. In addition, frequently looking at your drainage system will help you become more familiar with the layout, which could help you in future situations.
So many drain blockages could be prevented by a little extra care when using sinks, toilets and other household appliances. Just make sure that everyone is aware not to flush inappropriate items down the toilet – keep a bin beside it instead. Try to avoid pouring grease and cooking fats down the kitchen sink as this can solidify inside the drains and lead to a build-up over time.
For any more advice or if you’re in the south of England and need your drains inspected, please call the experienced AB Pipelines team on 01252 838888 or email enquiries to sales@abpipelines.co.uk.
