Importance of drain cleaning and maintenance

When you stop and think, the drains and pipes in your house go through a lot on a daily basis – showers, toilet flushes and cooking all make up part of our daily life. Drains are integral to our homes running smoothing, and they should not be overlooked when in your house maintenance. Most blocked drains start out small but can lead to much more serious and expensive problems. You don’t want to have to be calling out a drain engineer in Wirral, so we’ve put together a list of reasons to help convince you to add commercial drainage to your spring-cleaning list.

Draining Cleaning Benefits!

It is no secret that drain maintenance is something that is overlooked in nearly every home, but once you know the benefits it is something that you will never forget! For those who are novices in plumbing, a house drain located underground and connects all the smaller pipes in your house to one exit point, meaning that everything from the sink and toilet to the shower and dishwasher uses the same pipe to get rid of used water. This main pipe is usually made from iron or copper and is extremely tough to be able to withstand so much daily activity. However, when this becomes damaged or corroding due to blockages, it can cause major problems – and with it a whole lot of expense and stress. We’ve put together a few of the important benefits and reasons that you should be making drain maintenance the top of your priority list:

1. Fewer blockages – the most obvious reason to keep on top of your drain cleaning and maintenance is to make sure that there are fewer blockages. Over time, your drains can experience build-up of grease, grime, minerals and generally debris. If this build up is simply left alone then it can cause slow drainage and cracks in the pipes themselves. This can mean potential flooding and excavation to fix, so don’t take a blocked drain as something you will get used to over time. These need fixing, and quickly!
2. Cheaper in the long run – whilst you might think that drain maintenance and regular cleaning is a big chunk of your spring-cleaning budget, imagine how much it would cost to have your garden dug up to fix a burst pipe, or to rebuild your home because of a flood from a leaking pipe? If you regularly use a drain engineer in Wirral, then the professionals will be able to catch and fix small problems before they become massive issues and even emergencies.
3. Cleaner home – when small clogs form, they are generally made from food and other organic material, which is what causes the tell-tale smell of a blocked drain. If the block is allowed to sit there and grow, then you are creating the perfect environment for bacteria and mould to grow without you even realising it. Not only will this mean a nasty and lingering smell, but it has also been linked to a lot of health issues. If you keep on top of these small clogs, then the bacteria will have nowhere to grow, and you will have a much more clean and hygienic home.
4. Prevent damage to your home – as we have already said, the damage that can be caused by an untreated clog can be a lot more serious that most people realise. You could end up having to fix water damage due to an overflowing toilet (and no one wants to be the one to clean that one up!) or you could end up having to have your garden dug up to get to the source of the problem. Not only are these costly mistakes, but it could also mean that you have to leave your home until they are sorted.

How often should I use a drain unblocker in Wirral?

This is individual to every home as some might need more upkeep than others. For example, a newly built house might not need as much care and attention as an extremely old house with the original pipes and plumbing. As a general rule, you should look at using commercial drainage in Wirral every 1 – 2 years to make sure that your pipes are cleared of clogs to keep your water running freely.

How you can keep on top of your clean drains

So, once you have decided to use drain unblocking in Wirral, there are steps that you can take to make sure that you are on top of your drain maintenance in-between visits. Not only does this mean you might need fewer regular visits from the professionals, it means that you can keep an eye on your pipes and spot anything before it becomes a drain emergency!

• Be careful what you put down your plugs – whilst it might be quick and easy to get rid of grease and fat down your kitchen sink, these substances are notoriously fatty and sticky. You will find that these food products will stick to the inside of your pipes and catch other debris that ends up down the sink. If you want to try and avoid a blocked kitchen sink, decant your grease and fat into a plastic bottle before instead of pouring it down the plug hole
• Use a plug cover – by using plug covers in your bathroom sinks, you can make sure that any hair and soap residue is caught before it makes its way into the bends of your pipes. Make sure that you regularly clean these and put the debris in the bin though, you don’t want it getting too full and counterproductive!
• Cleaning your drains – if you want to make sure that you get rid off all the small blockages in between our visits, then you can clean your own drains. Once a month, try pouring baking soda and hot water down your drains and leaving them for half an hour before pouring some more boiling water to flush everything out. Baking soda is preferred to drain cleaning chemicals as it won’t corrode your pipes if it stays in there too long.
• Use a plunger – if the clog becomes too big to be washed away with boiling water, then also remember to keep a plunger handy! There is a reason that these tools are regularly used, and the suction from the plunger can help to remove or dislodge larger blockages if required.
• Make sure you don’t put wipes or too much paper down the toilet – most blockages that we are called out to are due to baby wipes or make up wipes being flushed down the toilet. As these are made to absorb water, they often get too large to be able to be removed by yourself, even with the help of a plunger! Make sure that if you are using wipes that they always go in the bin and never into your drains.

Keeping on top of your drain maintenance is encouraged as it is a vital part of keeping blockages and clogs at bay in between professional visits. If a larger obstruction does occur, then don’t hesitate to give us a call before it escalates into a plumbing emergency. If you want to be sure that your drains are cleaned as thoroughly as possible with minimal disruption, then call us today for more information.