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Healthy drainage systems are crucial for maintaining a clean and safe environment.

At Watermains and Drains, we’ve seen the problems a harmful drain can cause, so we’re here to remind you just why healthy drainage is important, show you the effect an unhealthy drain can have, as well as offer some helpful tips and tricks for keeping your drain in good working order.

A healthy drain is important because it…

1. Prevents Flooding

   A healthy drainage system can prevent flooding by directing excess water away from buildings and infrastructure.

2. Reduces Pollution

   Drainage systems play a vital role in preventing pollution by removing wastewater and sewage from homes and businesses. This prevents harmful substances from entering rivers, lakes, and other water sources.

3. Protects Public Health

   A properly functioning drainage system prevents stagnant water from collecting in the streets, which can attract insects and lead to the spread of diseases.

4. Maintains Infrastructure

   A well-maintained drainage system helps protect infrastructure like roads, bridges, and buildings from water damage and erosion.

5. Improves Quality of Life

   A healthy drainage system contributes to a better quality of life by ensuring that streets are free of standing water and unpleasant odours.

Overall, healthy drainage is essential for maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all.

Harmful effects of a blocked drain

1. Foul Odours

   Blocked drains can emit unpleasant odours, especially if there is stagnant water or organic matter caught in the pipes. These smells can permeate your home and make it uncomfortable for you and your guests.

2. Water Damage

   When a drain is blocked, water can back up and overflow, causing water damage to your floors, walls, and other surfaces. This can result in costly repairs and potential mould growth if not addressed promptly.

3. Health Hazards

   Blocked drains can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This can pose a serious health risk to you and your family, particularly if anyone has a weakened immune system.

4. Pest Infestations

   Standing water from blocked drains can attract pests such as insects and rodents, which can then invade your home. This can create an unsanitary and uncomfortable living environment.

5. Plumbing Damage

Over time, a blocked drain can put pressure on your pipes and cause them to crack or burst. This can lead to extensive damage to your plumbing system, which can be expensive to repair or replace.

How to take care of your drains

Taking care of your drains is an important part of home maintenance. Here are some tips to help keep your drains clean and clog-free:

Use a drain cover: Install a drain cover in your sink or shower to catch hair, soap scum, and other debris before it goes down the drain.

Avoid pouring grease down the drain: Grease and oil can solidify and clog your pipes. Instead, pour grease into a container and dispose of it in the trash.

Use a plunger: A plunger can help to clear minor clogs. Make sure you have the right type of plunger for the drain you’re plunging and use a gentle, repetitive motion.

Use baking soda and vinegar: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to help break up minor clogs and eliminate odours. Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush with hot water.

Avoid flushing non-degradable items down the toilet: Items such as wipes, dental floss, and feminine hygiene products should be disposed of in the trash, not flushed down the toilet.

Schedule regular drain cleaning: Professional drain cleaning services can help to prevent clogs and keep your drains flowing smoothly. It’s a good idea to have your drains cleaned every year or two.

Remember that prevention is key when it comes to drain care. By following these tips and being mindful of what goes down your drains, you can help to prevent clogs and avoid costly plumbing repairs.

Think you’ve got a blocked drain?

WMD offers emergency drain unblocking and high pressure water jetting services to customers in Manchester, Stockport, Warrington and Cheshire who are suffering from problematic drains that require professional attention immediately.

During the drain unblock, our engineers will work rapidly to minimise the disruption, and have your plumping back to full working health as soon as possible.

Call us today on 0800 024 8494!

If you’ve got a blocked kitchen sink, a toilet that won’t flush, or water pooling in the shower, it’s likely you’ve got a blockage. Not only is a blocked drain an inconvenience, but if not dealt with quickly, can cause significant, costly problems.

What could begin as an unsavoury smell could quickly turn into drains overflowing around your property, disrupting your daily life and preventing simple essential tasks such as taking a bath and cleaning clothes. So, in order to help you avoid the persistent problems of a blocked drain, here at Watermains and Drains, we’ve put together some of the most common blocked drain causes, with advice on how you can easily prevent them, too.

What are the Signs of a Blocked Drain?

• Discoloured water sitting in the garden

• Unpleasant smells, indicating trapped and rotting waste

• High rising toilets and sinks, which may overflow

• Bath or shower gurgling and not flowing away properly

How Common are Blocked Drains?

While a clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing issues, it’s one not to be ignored. It may start as a minor issue, but can soon cause major problems resulting in corrosion, flooding, and sewage backup, for example.

Will a Blocked Drain Clear Itself?

It can be easy for homeowners to ignore the fact that their drains are clogged hoping that it will unclog itself, however that’s not always the case. It’s always best to get clogged or blocked drains checked by a professional as they can often get worse over time. In fact, thinking your blocked drain will clear itself may leave you with a drain that is completely blocked with water gushing into your home.

Rapid Emergency Callouts

Have an emergency? We have a rapid response team that can get to you quickly.

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What Causes Blocked Drainage?

1. Flushing Foreign Objects

One of the most common causes of a blocked drain is foreign objects being flushed down the toilet. From baby wipes and cotton pads, to sanitary products and too much toilet roll, it can be tempting to just flush these items away, however our drains aren’t built to handle it, which inevitably leads to blockages with very unpleasant results. Let’s face it, no one wants to deal with overflowing sewage, so be sure to position a waste basket near and be careful what you’re throwing down there!

2. Hair & Soap Suds

Bathroom sinks, baths, and showers are easily subject to drain issues due to their tendency to get blocked up by hair and soap suds. As a daily routine, with many family members using the same space, this type of debris can culminate in your pipes and cause blocked or slow-running drains.

In an attempt to avoid this problem many place drain covers over plug holes to catch the strands of hair and prevent tangled drain pipes, preventing blockages and helping your drains run effectively for longer. We’d also recommend lifting your drain cover and removing any hairs after showering.

3. Outdoor Debris

Leaves and debris from outside can be easily blown or washed into your outside drain, causing blockages. This is particularly an issue during Autumn and Winter, as well as during stormy weather.

Avoiding this problem completely it’s really an option, however one of the most effective ways you can prevent debris clogging your drains is to cover the drain entrances with a drain guard and tidying and sweeping your garden or outdoor space regularly. If the issue still presents itself, even with the prevention methods in place, then you may want to consider contacting an exterior drainage specialist who can assess and advise the best course of action.

4. Tree Root Intrusions

The tiniest cracks or leaks in your drainage system can be an attraction for tree root ingress, encouraging tree roots to grow their way inside your plumbing system. This is highly damaging to your pipes, which not only obstructs water flow, but also causes significant pipe damage.

The best way to check your drains are healthy and working smoothly is by having a professional carry out a CCTV survey. A CCTV drain survey is where a small, flexible tube with a camera on the end is fed into your drainage system, showcasing video feed of the inside of the pipes.

5. Food Remnants, Grease & Fat

Small pieces of leftover food being pushed down the kitchen sink can cause a blocked drain. This is an easily fixed problem by scraping the excess food remnants off your plate and into the rubbish before washing. We know it might seem obvious, but it is one of the most common causes of blockage, so be sure to bin before rinsing.

It’s not just food either, liquids such as grease and fat washed down your drains culminates in the pipes, forming what are referred to as ‘Fatbergs’. These fatbergs block the pipes and cause significant back-up problems. Just because it flows doesn’t mean it should go!

Suffering from Drain Blockage?

WMD offers emergency drain unblocking and high pressure water jetting services to customers in Manchester, Stockport, Warrington and Cheshire who are suffering from problematic drains that require professional attention without delay.

During the drain unblock, our engineers will act quickly to minimise the disruption, and have your property back to full flowing health as soon as possible. For extra peace of mind, once cleared we would also advise on a CCTV drain survey to identify the problem, so steps can be put in place to avoid the drain from blocking again in the future.

Call us today on 0800 024 8494!

When a pipe freezes, pressure is put on the casing which can lead to leaks or even a burst pipe.

With the cost of living rising, Watermains & Drains understand that not everybody is able to leave their heating on to keep their water flowing. But there are plenty of ways that you can prevent them from freezing and causing any more damage than they need to.

Get your boiler serviced in summer

If your boiler isn’t running efficiently then water can sit stagnantly in the pipes which makes it more vulnerable to freezing. You should have your boiler serviced annually, but making sure this is done in the summer months before issues arise can prevent devastating damage from occurring over winter.

Insulate your pipes

Pipe lagging is relatively inexpensive and one of the most efficient ways of preventing your pipes from freezing in cold weather. Pipe insulation is tube-like and wraps around the outside of your water pipes. It should also come with a waterproof coating or layer to prevent it getting wet.

Weatherproof pipe insulation is easy to find in DIY stores and fit yourself. Simply take your pipe measurements and insulate your pipes before the weather starts to turn.

Make sure you pay attention to the following pipe areas:

• Outside piping
• Pipes in lofts, garages and basements
• Water tanks

Keep the cold out

If you have pipes in unheated areas of the house, like your loft or garage, open doors to let some heat in. This is also encouraged if you have pipes in cupboards because heat can sometimes be blocked from getting to the pipes by cupboard doors.

Leave your heating on

If you are able to do so, leaving your heating set at a temperature above 7℃ can keep the water running smoothly through your pipes, especially when it is frosty outside.

Certain modern makes of boiler and smart thermostats are also programmed to turn your heating on if the water in your tank lowers below a certain temperature. If you are worried about your pipes, then it might be worth checking if your boiler does this, or ask your boiler serviceman.

Fix leaky taps

Leaky taps can cause your pipes to freeze quicker, and cause a blockage in the tap itself. They have also been known to cause overflows due to frozen pipes keeping water clogged in certain areas.

So make sure all of your taps are fully off, and get your leaky taps fixed before winter arrives.

Turn your water system off

If you’re planning on going on holiday over winter, you might consider switching your water system off entirely. You could also try draining the water from your system before you go away so that there’s no chance of it freezing in your pipes whilst you’re unable to tend to any potential leaks.

If your pipes have been damaged due to a freeze then Watermains & Drains are on hand to fix the problem. Our comprehensive drain repairs and drain installation engineers have vast experience responding to frozen pipes, leaks and burst pipes and can get your water mains up and running again in no time.

If you require our services, fill out our contact form to receive your no obligation quote, or contact us by phone if you have an emergency.

Are you concerned about an underground leak?

If you are, you shouldn’t ignore it, an underground water leak can damage your home or businesses, leading to costly repairs.

To help you detect a water leak, here at Watermains and Drains, we’ve shared some common signs of underground water leaks (internal and external) below. However, if you’re confident there’s a problem, the best thing to do is give an expert a call.

If you’d like us to locate and repair your leak, we offer lead pipe replacements,leak detection, drainage repairs and reactive call out services in the event of an emergency.

Call Now: 0800 024 8494

Signs of a leak underground internally

You may have an underground water leak inside your property if you notice the following signs:

• An obvious drop in water pressure when using plumbing appliances such as your taps

• Splashing or hissing noises

• An increase of mould or insects in your home

• A sewage smell, odd odour or dirty looking water

• A steadily increasing water bill over the last few bills (without alteration in household water usage)

Every second counts when you have water gushing from a burst pipe but it’s important not to panic and make rash decisions otherwise you could risk making it worse.

Instead, take a deep breath, stay calm and follow these steps from Watermains & Drains:

1. Switch off the water

When a pipe bursts in your home, the first thing you need to do is switch off your water immediately. Splits can happen anywhere in your pipes, so trying to find the source of the leak while water is still flowing from the split will take time, and do more damage to your property.

To do this, you will need to locate one of two stop taps on your property; the internal stop tap or the external stop tap. Stop taps look like spoutless taps and sit between two lengths of pipe.

How to find an internal stop tap:

An internal stop tap is usually located in any of the following places:

• Kitchen cupboard
• Downstairs bathroom or toilet
• Under the stairs
• Garage or utility room
• Cellar

If you’re unable to find an internal stop tap, you’ll need to locate the external stop tap.

How to find an external stop tap:

An external stop tap can usually be found under a cover on the path or road outside your house. You may also find it:

• Located near your property’s water meter
• At the end of your road. This is common if you live in an old property, or if you share a water supply with your neighbours, like a strip of terraces

Once you’ve found the stop tap, turn the valve clockwise slowly to close it. It may take a few minutes for the flow of water to cease altogether. This will stop the leak from getting worse while you contact a contractor for repairs.

2. Switch off electrical appliances

You need to turn off the electrical system before you clean up the damage to avoid the situation becoming dangerous. The electrical panel in your property will usually be located in the basement, cupboard, garage or utility room.

If the leak is blocking your access to the electrical panel, call an electrician immediately.

You should also consider removing any electrical appliances from the area until the burst pipe has been fixed.

3. Drain the taps

Turn on a sink faucet to drain the remaining water as quickly as possible. This can also relieve pressure caused by water build up that could have caused your leak.

4. Phone a contractor as soon as possible

As soon as your property is out of immediate danger from the leak, contact a contractor. The sooner you contact them, the sooner you’ll be able to book a slot for your pipe to be fixed.

Your plumber may be able to recommend ways to temporarily prevent your pipe from leaking until they arrive to permanently fix the damage.

While you may be tempted to fix the leak yourself, it is always best to bring in a professional as they’ll be able to fully assess the extent of the damage. It is also worth noting that a burst pipe can be an indication that your pipes need a full replacement.

Watermains & Drains have highly skilled leak detection engineers on hand to respond to emergencies in the North West, Midlands, West Yorkshire and North Wales.

5. Document and photograph the damage

Before you clean up the leak, you should photograph the damage to gain evidence for your insurance claim. Even if your insurance provider doesn’t require photographic evidence, it is always worth having just in case.

6. Clean excess water

Mould and rotting furniture caused by damp can be even worse to manage permanently than the leak itself so you need to clean static water to ensure minimal damage.

Check the full vicinity of the leak and other areas that may have been affected by the pipe bursting and clean the water thoroughly.

7. Warm up the area

Use heaters or a hairdryer to heat up the area and help the room dry faster. You should also consider opening cupboards and doors to allow circulation through the affected area. This will minimise water damage further.

8. Temporarily fix the leak

It can take a few days for a plumber or contractor to arrive, so it is possible to temporarily stall the leak until they are able to fix it. However, you should only do this if the leak is small, easily accessible and if you feel confident enough.

You could:

• Secure the hole with electrical or duct tape once the water has fully dried. Secure the tape with a hose or sleeve clamp.
• Plug the hole using epoxy putty. Wait for the putty to harden before switching the water mains back on

We recommend explaining the extent of the leak to your plumber and asking if they would advise putting a temporary fix in place.

9. Take steps to prevent further leaks in future

At Watermains & Drains, we know that experiencing a burst pipe in your home is a vastly unpleasant experience, and you won’t want to repeat it in future.

Try following these steps to prevent further leaks from occurring in the future:

• Insulate pipes to prevent water freezing
• Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home
• Fix dripping taps
• Keep a look out for smaller leaks before they escalate into burst pipes
• Replace old or weak pipes in your home that are susceptible to leaks

If a pipe has burst in your property, contact our leak detection engineers in Manchester and Cheshire as soon as your property is out of immediate danger. Alternatively, our water supply pipe installers can update your waterworks to prevent leaks from occurring in the future.

Call us today: 0800 024 8494