It’s that time of year when we are all getting ready for the Christmas holidays. As December arrives so does the cold weather, with frost and the occasional flurry of snow.
Having an emergency drain blockage during this busy time of year can be stressful, so with a little forward planning you can save yourself any drainage issues.
We explore how the cold weather affects drainage systems and share five ways to help prevent winter drainage problems.
How Does the Cold Affect Your Drains?
Every winter we receive calls from homeowners and businesses across West Sussex and Hampshire experiencing drainage problems caused by the cold weather. The most common issues include:
Cracked and burst pipes: When water gets cold it can freeze and expand in pipes. This restricts the flow of water through the pipe, leading to cracking and in some cases burst pipes.
Stubborn Blockages: Low temperatures can also cause fat and grease to solidify much faster easily trapping debris. Eventually this leads to slow drainage and, of course, drain blockages.
Gullies and drains: Freezing temperatures can cause ice and debris to build up in gullies and drains, leading to blockages and in some cases localised flooding.
Winter Drainage Tips
- Remove fallen leaves to stop gullies blocking.
- Get septic tanks emptied.
- Turn off outside water taps to prevent frozen pipes.
- Make sure all guttering is clear of leaves to help prevent down pipes freezing and blocking.
- Over the festive season when we are cooking more, don’t wash the fat of food from plates down the kitchen sink.
Should You Call a Drainage Expert?
No matter how small it may seem, it is important to deal with any drainage issue that arises as soon as possible. This will stop it turning into a major problem, just as you are getting ready to enjoy the festive season with friends and family.
We know that a drainage issue can strike at any time and understand how stressful this can be, that is why we are on call 24/7, 365 days a year.
Our team offer all customers a free initial call out to diagnose your drainage issues, then give you the solutions to fix it.
Talk to our tem today