Spring is a welcome break from the cold, damp grey of winter, but it can also bring its own challenges, especially for your property’s drainage and sewer systems. And the bigger your property, the bigger the problems can be.
With spring comes April showers – heavy downpours that put extra strain on drainage systems, so it’s important to take proactive steps and prevent issues from arising that can cost money and cause disruption.
Preparing for the spring 
Here are some of our tips to help you keep your drains and sewers in top condition during the wetter weather so that you can enjoy the beat of the season.
- Inspect and clean your gutters and downpipes. One of the first things you should do is inspect and clean your gutters and downpipes for blockages that that formed over the winter. These parts of your infrastructure play a critical role in directing rainwater away from your property. Over time, they become clogged up with leaves, twigs, old nests and other debris, leading to backing up, overflowing and water damage.
Routine maintenance and cleaning, especially before a season when bad weather can be expected, can prevent problems which cause major disruption and long-term damage.
- Check for internal signs of blockages. Blocked drains can cause significant problems during heavy rains. Look out for the less obvious signs of blockages such as slow draining sinks, toilets, or showers, and unpleasant smells coming from your drains.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s essential that you address them immediately. You might be able to solve the problem yourself but it may indicate deeper problems, so it’s a good idea to call a professional drain and sewer service to check it out.
- Schedule a regular maintenance programme. Regular maintenance is key to preventing drain and sewer issues, especially for larger buildings where systems can be out of sight and mind. A minimum should be a professional inspection and cleaning out of sewers, drains and gutters once a year. This can help to identify potential problems before they become major issues.
Professional companies will have the expertise to use the latest techniques and modern equipment such as high-power jetting to thoroughly clear pipes of rubbish and gutter-clearing systems. These can often be operated at ground level for greater safety.
- Install drain covers and screens. Installing drain covers and screens is an effective way to prevent debris, such as leaves, and animals from getting into your drains and gutters, causing blockages and damage. You need to make sure that these covers and screens are also regularly cleaned to maintain effectiveness and allow water to flow.
- Be careful what you flush. During periods of heavy rain, it’s especially important to control what gets flushed down your drains, especially if you’re responsible for a public building or one with a heavy staff footfall.
Avoid flushing items such as wet-wipes, paper towels and grease, because these can cause blockages and damage your sewer system. Stick to flushing only toilet paper and human waste to keep your drains flowing smoothly and use grease traps for sinks.
Be proactive and enjoy the weather
By taking some proactive steps, you can prevent drain and sewer problems, avoid disruption and keep your property safe and dry. A little maintenance goes a long way as prevention is definitely better than cure, especially if you want to keep your drainage system functioning properly.
Drain and Sewer Services maintenance agreements
At Drain and Sewer services we offer a full range of regular and maintenance services, including unblocking, drain repairs and CCTV inspections. Our trained staff check for problems, identify and rectify problems quickly and without disruption, including cracks and collapses as well as blockages.
We operate a fleet of mobile, high-pressure water jetting systems that can clear blockages and clean pipes thoroughly, using high-pressure water to remove debris, grease, and other built-up rubbish.
Do you want your drains to cope all year round?
If you would like to talk to Drains and Sewer Services about a routine maintenance package tailored for your property’s drains and guttering, then call us on 01252 312738 or email info@drainandsewer.co.uk for more information and a quote.
