Heatwaves are becoming more common in the UK. Hot weather can be good news or bad, depending on how you handle warmer weather. More specifically, it could be bad news depending on how your drains handle the heat.
Most people associate blocked drains with winter. In reality, long spells of hot weather can cause plenty of drainage problems too. Every summer we receive calls from customers wondering why their drains suddenly smell, slow down or start causing issues.
Here are four common problems we see during periods of hot weather.
Foul Smelling and Clogged Drains
Heat increases bacterial growth and the break-down of waste, in turn producing more gas. This evaporates and spreads much faster through the air and around your home.
With longer daylight hours in the summer months, many of us entertain more often, inviting friends, family and neighbours over for drinks and BBQs. This can result in an increase in the amount of oil, grease and waste being washed away.
We often respond to calls from customers with drains that have been blocked by non-flushable items. Nobody can watch everything that guests flush away.
Leaky Pipes
Summer is not the time to waste water if we want to avoid the dreaded hose pipe ban. And leaky pipes are a big culprit of water waste.
Excessive use of hoses and sprinklers can also cause stress to pipes, leading to breakage.
Extremely hot weather can also put increased pressure on your pipes. Heat can put strain on the joints and seals, and cause them to expand. This can result in unwanted cracks and leaks.
Look out for visible mould or mildew, musty-smelling rooms and water stains on walls or ceilings. If you are unfortunate enough to experience a leaky pipe, our team is ready to fix it before your water bills get out of control.
Slow-Draining Showers
Hot weather means more showers to keep fresh and clean. Whether it’s washing off sand after a day at the beach, or mud and grass from enjoying the fresh outdoors, debris can quickly build up in drains during the summer putting your shower out of action at prime time.
Overgrown Plants and Trees
Summer provides great growing conditions and it’s possible that some plants or trees will become overgrown and cause blockages. Growing roots can damage pipes, blocking the pipe’s flow. If you think this may have happened, our pipelining experts can help you.
What Can You Do to Prevent Drain Problems in Hot Weather?
You don’t want a smelly, clogged drain ruining your summertime. To keep issues at bay, we recommend you:
- Use a drain strainer over plug holes in the kitchen sink, showers and bathtubs to catch unwanted debris
- Avoid pouring any fat, grease or oils away in the sink
- Carry out regular weekly cleaning of your drains. Remember to check outdoor drains too.
When Should You Call an Expert?
If you are experiencing continuous foul odours from your drains and recurring blockages which you can’t solve with at home solutions, or notice any pipe damage or leaks, then we highly recommend contacting an expert before costly damages occur.
Summer is also the best time for drain maintenance. In bright and dry weather, it’s easier for our team to get in, identify the issue and start fixing it before colder seasons begin.
We offer free callouts to all customers so we can assess your drainage situation and offer you the best solution.
Talk to us