As Game of Thrones fans will tell you, winter is coming, and this is the time to take the necessary steps to protect your household from the effects of the cold season. Protecting your drainage systems from the elements can be challenging, but as long as you take the precautions, you will be able to enjoy winter without the worry of drainage problems.
Inspect & Repair
It’s wise to check that your pipes are well intact, and that there are no leakages around your property. Check that your taps are flowing smoothly and if you see any leakages, get in touch with a professional who will be able to make the necessary repairs – we would strongly advise against attempting to do this yourself!
Drain Protection
During the winter, your drains can be become frozen over if the temperature drops low enough, which can cause major blockage issues. Falling leaves can also cause problems, clogging your drains up and causing a blockage. Use a drain protector to reduce the risk of this occurring.
Insulation
Your pipes suffering from frost damage is a likely winter occurrence, so insulating your pipes is a great way to protect them from the elements. It’s not only effective but it’s an inexpensive method of safe guarding your drain pipes.
Clean Your Pipes
The best way to improve the efficiency of your drain pipes is by cleaning them on a regular basis. Keep your drains clean of any leaves, mud or rubble to prevent issues such as your pipes getting blocked.
Unwanted Waste
Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet roll down your toilet can cause major problems. You should also make sure not to tip oils and chemicals down the sink as this can damage your pipes and cause blockages.
Keep Your Heating on the Low
Keeping your heat low during the winter months surprisingly can help tremendously in preventing frost damage to your drain pipes.
Use a Stopcock
Using an adequate plumbing system such as a stopcock is a great way to reduce the risk of your drains freezing during the winter. Make sure your stopcock is fully accessible and is operating properly in case of an emergency such as a flood.
Defrost your Pipes Using a Soaked Towel
If the water in your pipes has already frozen, its best to use towels and soak them in warm water to defrost your pipes. Using your central heating to defrost your pipes, can cause your pipes to enlarge and crack.
With these tips, you should be able to take good care of your drains, helping you to avoid any nasty surprised.
However, if you are suffering from any of these problems such as blocked drains in Nottingham, Derby or Sheffield, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help with your enquiry.