Managing Blocked Drains This Winter

After the summer heatwave, many people are experiencing problems with blocked drains at their Wirral homes as the water table in the ground changes after weeks of drought.

Blocked drains are unpleasant and a health hazard and by the time you realise you have a blockage then the problem is pretty much solid and well-established.

Tell-tale Signs that your Drains are not Performing

If you can catch a blocked drain before it becomes a serious problem, then this is always preferable and there are some tell-tale signs that all is not as it should be.

If you flush the toilet and the water level remains higher than normal or just empties away slowly then this is an indicator that a blockage could be forming downstream.

Strange sounds or gurgling noises are another indicator that a blockage could be starting to form. And of course, an unpleasant odour is one of the biggest clues.

Prevention is better than Cure

Using fibre optics and a camera, Clearground can inspect drain runs on an annual or more frequent basis at your Wirral home or commercial properties in this area. Think of this as a tailored package for your underground services.

Visualisation of the drain run can help spot issues before they become entrenched problems. This includes tree roots beginning to encroach on pipes and any cracks or breaks.

Site surveys are also really useful for house purchases, allowing buyers to have a clear idea of what’s going on underground before they commit to a particular property.

Good Household Habits

Some drain problems are unavoidable like tree roots but good practice in the house can prevent a large majority of blockages from occurring in the first place. Here are some things that should never go down the sink or the toilet.

• Coffee grounds – these solidify and attract moisture staying in a wet clump
• Rice and pasta – these absorb water and swell
• Olive oil – when hot olive oil cools, it solidifies into a lump
• Animal fats – these solidify and attract other debris and can turn into a cement-like blockage
• Human hair – this can form a solid ball which combines with other debris, use hair guards over plug holes in the bath, shower and basin
• Wet wipes and makeup remover wipes – these are major culprits of drain blockages and should be thrown out in the household rubbish

Clearground are drainage specialists who offer a 24/7 service on the Wirral to sort out blocked drains with experienced professionals who will clear the problem whilst preserving the integrity of the drain run. We operate on an hourly rate with no callout fees or hidden charges, so you only pay for the time we are there. The reality is that most blocked drains can be cleared simply and quickly with the right expertise and equipment and many householders pay over the odds when they don’t need to. Contact Clearground, the drainage experts.