Special Report
Take it away! Your home’s drainage system
There’s much in modern-day homes that we take for granted, but perhaps nothing more so than the concealed but crucial network of hidden pipes beneath our feet. Our home’s wastewater is taken away with a quick flush and the oversized storage tanks and pipes that drain excess storm water to prevent flooding after it rains, are just assumed to work. But how well is your home’s drainage operating, and could you be at risk of internal flooding or even the backing up of your house’s sewer pipes? Five common signs you have a drainage problem Do you notice any of the following common indicators? 1. Bad smells and strange noises: blocked drains are common causes for bad odours. As your home’s waste drainage system is all connected, you could be experiencing a build-up of waste inside your pipes at any location. Similarly, the gurgling noise of drains suggests that air is trapped inside the pipework, which is a common indicator you may have a blockage. 2. Slow draining: have you noticed your sink or bathtub is taking longer than usual to completely empty? Partial blockages are very common within the interior pipework. The most common suspects are hair, food waste and cooking oils, which can accumulate and start causing problems very quickly. 3. Damp spots: the appearance of mould and discoloured patches on your walls, accompanied by a damp and musty smell, may in fact be caused by damaged internal waste-water pipes or damaged storm-water run-off guttering, allowing
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for internal rainwater penetration in the wall cavities. 4. Overflowing gutters: the storm drainage system can be clogged up easily by the natural elements. Leaves, twigs, mud and debris can restrict the flow of water inside your pipes, forcing your gutters, gullies and manholes to flood, resulting in overflowing chambers. 5. Flooding or outdoor water patches: this one may be obvious, but we don’t usually expect that garden flooding can be caused by faulty drainage. If you notice areas of your garden that don’t seem to be draining correctly, this could be a sign of blocked or cracked pipework. When you should contact the professionals Undertaking regular inspections of your property’s drainage is the key to avoiding any nasty surprises. Over time, your property’s drainage will deteriorate naturally, developing cracks and open joints, which leads to the breakdown of the drainage system, especially in older properties. Whilst many drain blockages can be resolved yourself with the use of over-the-counter drain unblocking chemicals (and a good plunger!), some more serious problems like flooding, broken pipes or damage caused by tree root infiltration should be diagnosed and repaired by qualified professionals, who can carry out a complete camera survey of your internal and external drainage network to identify your pipe’s materials and condition, and locate any cracked or collapsed pipework. If you are buying an older property, a professional inspection of the drains should be part of your pre-purchase checks.
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