Your Sanitary drainage and wastewater systems are an extremely important part of the everyday workings of your home. They are something many of us subconsciously expect to work without much thought, but when trouble strikes, and the drain blocks up it can cause panic among many people especially if the wastewater is surcharging into the home.
Here are some of the regular maintenance tricks and tips you can do around your home to keep your drains flowing longer.
The kitchen sink:
Put food and oil scraps into the bin rather than down your sink. They will clog the drain. Also periodically run hot or ideally boiling water down to free up any minor debris that may have made it into the system.
Your bathroom:
Keep hair out of your shower and basin drains. This will build up and slow the flow. It will also cause odours when decomposing. Get it out and put it into the bin. There are strainers available to stop it from entering the drain completely.
Your garden:
When planting trees be mindful of the location you plant them. Keep them away from the line of your drain and try and select trees that have a shallow root ball to reduce the likelihood of them attacking the joins in your drain.
Outside the home:
Ensure your overflow relief gully is free and installed correctly. This needs to be set at the right height below the lowest fixture and above the concrete level to stop stormwater from entering the system. Check and ensure your vent is free and breathing correctly. If it is sealed up or blocked this will decrease the flow and increase the likelihood of blockages.
Toilet:
Do not under any circumstance flush hygiene products, baby wipes, or any form of wipes down the toilet. (Even if they state they are "Flushable") They will catch in the drain and cause blockages. This is especially prevalent in older homes with drainage constructed of clay but will block even the newest systems.
General:
Reduce the chance of unsightly odours emitting from your system by running water through any low-use area. The water seals in the traps can evaporate over time allowing the sewer gases to vent into the room. A routine maintenance plan can go a long way to keeping your drains flowing longer. Don't put any DIY chemicals down your drain and any highly corrosive acids need to be left to the professionals – if you have any minor blockages a simple solution can be Bicarbonate soda with Vinegar and Lemon juice.
There are many things you can do yourself to reduce the likelihood of blockages within the drainage systems, using the above tips and tricks. There will however be times when a Plumber will need to attend to unblock the system using various professional methods, depending on the type of blockage.
Stay tuned for future editions for information and details of the type of blockages and how we locate and repair the issues
For more information, please call us on 8367 8383 or email
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