London Drainage Facilities (LDF) details exactly who is responsible for repairing our drains and sewers. Who is responsible for repairing drains? Generally, as a rule of thumb a homeowner is responsible for the drains that fall within the boundaries of their property and in the event of something going wrong, they will be required to...Continue reading→
Giant Fatberg Found in London Sewer: Why Drain Cleaning is Important
How We Can Help
The news that a hefty fatberg was clogging London’s drains shocked people in the capital – but how can you prevent blockages in your own home?
A huge fatberg in a London sewer shows that we aren’t paying as much attention to our drains as we need to. So what can be done about the problem? As the Drainage Company London clients trust, we’re ideally placed to help you clear and prevent blockages on your property.
The fatberg
In October of this year, a massive fatberg was discovered in a sewer in Greenwich. This mass was the size of a London double decker bus, and took workers an astonishing three weeks to break up. There was no way that it could have been left any longer, as it was already taking up a shocking 80% of the sewer’s capacity at some points. The cause of the fatberg? Fat, oil and grease had combined with non-flushable materials such as wet wipes, nappies and cotton buds.
The problem starts in homes
The reality is that many people just don’t think about what they are pouring down the drain or flushing down the toilet. Matt Rimmer, the head of Thames Water’s waste networks, said that “We’d urge everyone to help fight the fatberg by only flushing the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper – as well as disposing of fat and oils in the bin, not the sink.” So if you’re ever in doubt about whether to flush something or pour it away, bin it instead!
Keeping your drains clean and clear
Although we aren’t likely to come across something quite as severe as this super-sized fatberg in any of our client’s drains, this does show that regular drain maintenance is essential. If you have a service plan with us, you’ll benefit from regular maintenance that includes de-scaling and flushing out of your pipes. We’ll be able to nip any problems in the bud, saving you a lot of time, money and stress in the long run.
Don’t tackle it yourself
A lot of people think that they can tackle their drain cleaning themselves, and that it doesn’t really pose much of a risk in the first place. The reality is that scale and sediment can form at an incredible rate, and our expert team will be able to monitor that and use specialist tools to keep your pipes clear of any blockages. We’ll also be able to do this completely safely and efficiently, so you won’t have to get your hands dirty.
Got a blockage? No problem
If you haven’t paid much attention to drain maintenance and suspect that you may now have a blockage, then you can count on us to clear it. We are on hand to deal with blocked drains in London, and will be able to visit your property, conduct a thorough assessment and then identify the best way to clear the blockage. Afterwards, we’ll provide you with advice on how to prevent blockages going forward.
Give us a call today
Now that you know just how much damage seemingly harmless materials can do your pipes and drains, why not get in touch with us today? With the help of our team of local experts, you’ll be able to enjoy clear and problem-free drains for years to come. So give us a call!