The private drain that leads away from your home rarely fails or becomes blocked, but when it does a whole host of smelly problems can ensue. Many people ignore drain maintenance, which can be a costly mistake.
Everyone who owns a property should have a little knowledge about how to keep their drains in a good state of repair. They should also know some of the prevention methods you can use to stop the drain becoming blocked in the first place.

Stopping drain blockages in London

Prevention is always better then cure, it’s also much cheaper too. Most drain blockages are caused by people putting incorrect items down the toilet and disposing of fat down the kitchen sink. Fitting waste strainers on all plugholes can help too. Strainers stop hair clogging the pipes under the bath tub and stop food debris accumulating under the kitchen sink.

What cause blocked drains in London?

Most drain blockages in London are due to an accumulation of grease and fat, but drains can also be blocked by leaves, silt, scale and litter.

What can drain maintenance do?

If a drain is regularly maintained there will not be sufficient time for debris to build up inside the pipes. This means that waste water will always be able to flow freely and the chances of a future blockage will be minimised.

Even though it’s of extreme importance that every householder makes the effort to get their drains checked on a regular basis, it’s even more important if you’re living in London.

The huge population of the UK’s capital means that drains and sewers are highly susceptible to blockages and damage, although regular maintenance will help to ensure that any problems are kept to a minimum.

A blocked drain can be extremely problematic for homeowners and business owners alike- especially those based in large office blocks or blocks of flats. In these buildings, a blocked drain can not only cause issues for you, but also for those in neighbouring properties.

The best course of action to take is to take out a maintenance contract with a trusted company. Although some people choose to solely have the professionals visit them on irregular occasions, by taking out a drain maintenance contract you can enjoy many fantastic benefits and also enjoy complete peace of mind.

However unlikely you think that a blockage will be, you never know when a problem will strike in London, and this is why it’s always good to have a damage limitation plan in place.

Ensure that your drains are regularly maintained and save yourself expense and inconvenience.

Homes in Botley will be protected against the misery of sewer flooding after Thames Water started work replacing a section of sewer on North Hinksey Road.

The work, which is mostly on Cumnor Hill and Eynsham Road had been delayed as the water company had to repair a water leak from a bridge nearby.

Thames Water’s programme delivery manager Andrew Popple stated:

“This flooding scheme is a major project to make our network around Oxfordshire fit for the future. We have every sympathy for the homes that have suffered from the misery of sewer flooding and we are committed to putting an end to it. There is just no place for sewer flooding in the 21st century.

“This is a very complex scheme and we have looked at more than 80 options to ensure we get the right solution for the long-term to protect homes in Botley.”

There have been 36 instances of sewer flooding into homes over the last five years, but it’s hoped that the £7m scheme will put an end to local resident’s woes. Sewers along North Hinksey Lane, within Old Botley, Cumnor Hill and Eynsham Road will all be upgraded as part of the Thames Water scheme.

One of the most difficult parts of a drain cleaning expert’s job is finding out what has caused the drain blockage in the first place.

Most of the time drain blockages can be removed simply and easily by using drain jetting. In this process a jet of water is directed down the drain at pressures in excess of 2,000psi. The power of the water is usually enough to remove any blockage from the pipe and can usually solve the problem completely. However, if the same problem keeps reoccurring, the drain cleaning experts might need to ‘dig a little deeper’ to investigate the reasons for the clog.

If you have a recurring drain blockage, the drain cleaning experts in London will usually perform a CCTV survey on your drains. In this process a camera is inserted into the drainage pipe, which is then fed through the drainage system. The camera relays images back to a laptop or a diagnostic unit which can be interpreted by a qualified drainage professional.

The images may suggest that roots are the cause of the reoccurring problem, or perhaps build up of scale. Whatever the diagnosis, the drain cleaning experts in London will be able to offer a suitable remedy at a suitable price.

It’s not uncommon to have a blocked drain at some point when you own a home. Drain blockages are a part and parcel of homeownership, and even if you have not had a blockage before, you should always be prepared as a blockage may occur at any time.

Drain cleaning companies usually use high pressure water jetting to get rid of clogs and debris that may be blocking a drainage pipe. However, they offer many other services besides just jetting.

Manhole lifting

If a drain cover or manhole cover has not been lifted for a number of years, it’s not uncommon for its removal to require specialist lifting equipment. Some drain cleaning companies in London specialise in lifting these covers and can replace the cover when the frame and cover have fused together.

Surface cleaning

The drain jetting equipment that a drainage company may use to get rid of clogs and debris can also be used with a surface cleaning attachment to clean roads and paved surfaces. Water at 3,000PSI will easily remove the most stubborn dirt and grime, giving the paved surface a clean and polished finish.