How to avoid blocked drains this autumn
Posted on 31st October 2022 at 10:55
Autumn is finally here, and we once again watch the leaves as they fall. Whilst we’re excited to watch the leaves gradually turn into an array of autumnal colours, our drains are not.
Why leaves are an issue for your drains
As leaves fall during autumn, they begin to pile up on the ground. They then start to decompose, and when it rains, they will become soggy and clump together. This causes problematic issues for your drainpipes as they become blocked.
What happens when you leave a drain blocked
If you notice an excessive amount of debris in your drains but haven’t yet cleared it out, you could be faced with a variety of problems. Leaving your drains blocked will only get worse as wastewater won’t be able to pass through properly.
The first problem you’ll be faced with is slow drainage. Whilst this might not be an emergency, the leaves take time to break down causing the blockage to worsen. As well, wastewater could potentially back up into your house which is hazardous to your health.
If you’re experiencing slow drainage, we recommend having a CCTV survey performed. This way, you can be sure that there isn’t a more serious issue lurking somewhere else in your pipes.
When a blockage becomes too much for pipes, they begin to fracture from excessive pressure. If cracks begin to appear, then this will lead to issues such as:
· Nasty smells
· Sinkholes
· Structural damage
· Tree intrusions
If left untreated, your pipes could collapse. If this happens, immediately call your local drainage experts.
Ways to prevent leaves from causing a blockage
Get stuck in
The best way to avoid any issues is by regularly clearing out leaves and debris. Put on a pair of hardy gloves and simply get stuck in. If there is a lot of debris or drains to clear, then grab a shovel. You may have to monitor your drains and clear them out where needed.
Use a drain guard
A drain guard is a simple yet useful piece of equipment. They are designed to keep unwanted debris out of your drains while still allowing water to pass through.
Although they're effective, it’s important to remember to clean your drain guard regularly. Although your drains will be free from blockages, your drain guard could become blocked if left to build up. Leaving them blocked could lead to flooding in your area.
Suck up debris with a wet vacuum
Unlike our household vacuums, a wet vacuum is specially designed to hoover up liquids. This makes removing soggy leaves as easy as possible. They are also effective at sucking up the debris that has fallen into your drains.
If there is a build-up of leaves in one area, try using a leaf blower to help disperse the leaves more evenly. This will make vacuuming the leaves much easier.
When it’s time to call in the professionals
You can’t always avoid a blockage, even if you do everything possible to avoid it. Unfortunately, wastewater needs to be able to flow through your pipes properly, so it’s imperative that you don't leave a blockage to get worse.
If you’ve removed the visible debris but are still experiencing problems, then you should have a CCTV survey to determine what is going on beneath the surface.
Semilong Services provide drainage solutions for all areas of drain work. If you’re experiencing issues with your drains, contact us today. No issue is too big for our skilled and experienced team.
Call us on 01604 492 701 today.
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