Autumn leaves, heavy rain and festive cooking make the colder months the busiest time of year for blocked drains. A few simple habits will keep yours flowing.
1. Clear gullies and channel drains
Lift gully grids and channel drain covers and remove leaves, moss and silt. As the photo above shows, a surprising amount of debris collects in a short time.
2. Check your gutters and downpipes
Blocked gutters push leaves and moss straight into your surface water drains. Clean them after the main leaf fall.
3. Never pour fat down the sink
Let cooking fat cool, then scrape it into the bin. Wipe greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing.
4. Only flush the three Ps
Pee, poo and paper. Wet wipes, even "flushable" ones, are one of the biggest causes of blocked drains and sewers.
5. Fit hair catchers
Cheap mesh hair catchers in baths and showers prevent most bathroom blockages.
6. Watch for early warning signs
Gurgling, slow drainage and smells are early signs. Calling us early is almost always cheaper than waiting for a full blockage.
7. Book a check-up
A CCTV drain survey or preventative jet clean before winter can catch problems before they flood your home.