Drainage
How good is the drainage in your home? Drain problems are one of the top plumbing problems but they can easily be avoided. Checking your drains on a regular basis and keeping them well maintained are the solutions to most drainage issues.
Your home drainage system controls the flow of water throughout your home as well as providing an outlet for waste water from your drains. This system is a series of interconnected pipes that run from your bathroom and kitchen to your sewer system.
Here are a few ways in which you can look after your drains to be sure they keep running free, unclogged and unbroken. Your home drainage system has been built to carry water so you should try as much as possible to keep only water flowing through it. When we throw too much food or other foreign matter down our drains, clogging occurs. Make sure your shower drain has a strainer fitted so nothing but the shower water gets into the system. If you do start experiencing some minor back up problems with your pipes you can clear them yourself but avoid using drain cleaners that are too strong as the chemicals can actually cause damage to the pipes.
You may not think about this but gardens also need to be checked for proper drainage. Keeping the grass and flowers looking good requires plenty of watering. Make sure that this water is able to run out unobstructed. The last thing you want is a pool of water collecting underneath your home. Water should be drained away from the house. Guttering on your roof is also a major factor in your home drainage system and they need to be cleaned out regularly to stay effective.
Your plumber or drain specialist should be able to inspect your drainage on request. This is an especially good idea when moving into a new place. And if you do happen to have an emergency involving a drain, a reliable emergency plumber’s number is essential.
Chris Fuller is an expert when it comes to all things to do with drain unblocking. Our thanks for the help he offered when writing this page.