Some drain problems are unpreventable and are often due to simple wear and tear.
However, David Hayes, CEO at Drain Claim says that there are some measures that people can take to protect their drains.
The drain expert comments, ‘It is all too easy to poke or flush something down a drain in a hurry only to discover a major blockage has been caused a few weeks later.’
Protecting your drains is simple and easy to do with David’s following tips:
Kitchen
• Do not wash cooking oil or food debris down sinks. These can harden and clog drains, leading to unsavoury smells and a build up of waste materials that can cause serious blockages.
• Never pour grease or cooking fat residue down the drain. Clean greasy pots and pans as thoroughly as possible with a paper towel before cleaning in hot water in the sink.
Bathroom
• Only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Dispose of everything else in a bin – nappies and wet wipes in particular cause hundreds of drain blockages every year.
• Use drain screens to keep hair, soap scum, and other solids from making their way down bathroom drains.
Garden
• Check that the tops of your drains and any gutters are not blocked with leaves or debris.
• Ensure any open gullies have a well fitting grate to prevent litter and leaves entering the system and clear any obstructions from the surface of the grate.
Weekly drain care…
• Pour boiling hot water down all sinks.
• Give your plug stoppers and drain screens a clean and remove anything obstructing plug holes.
Drain Claim also strongly recommends that property owners seek professional advice should water fail to drain properly or a blockage be discovered. Common drain problems which occur outside the home but cause drain issues inside include tree root damage, drain pipe corrosion and subsidence. Many of these problems are covered under buildings insurance policies, meaning repairs can be made at no cost to homeowners.
