Ah, spring! After what feels like a very long winter, spring is always a welcome time of year. From the days getting longer to the weather warming up and flowers springing into bloom, a brand-new season can give us a sense of renewal. So much so, you may find yourself embarking on a spring clean. But have you considered how your drains may need a spring clean too? With the transition to spring also comes the potential for heavy rainfall, which can cause damage to your property if your drainage system is not in good shape. Here’s the top things to look out for when spring cleaning your drainage system…
Inspect your gutters
Gutters play an important role in directing water away from your property, so it’s crucial to ensure they’re functioning properly.
Start by removing any debris, such as leaves or branches, that may have accumulated over winter – this will prevent clogs and allow water to flow freely.
Next, inspect your gutters for any damage or signs of wear and tear. Check for cracks, holes, or sagging, and make any necessary repairs. If your gutters need replacing, it’s best to do so before any chance of heavy rainfall. You may also want to consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from entering your gutters and causing clogs.
Additionally, take a look at the length and placement of your downspouts. Downspouts should direct water at least 10 feet away from your property to prevent water damage. If your downspouts are too short or too close to your home, consider extending them or relocating them to a more suitable location.
Inspect your drainage system
It’s important to check for clogs throughout your drainage system. Clogs can occur in pipes or drains and can prevent water from flowing properly, causing damage to your property. You’ll need to look for signs of standing water, slow drainage, or unusual sounds coming from your pipes or drains.
To remove superficial clogs, you can try using a plunger. If this doesn’t work, it’s best to call a professional to avoid causing further damage to the system.
Ensure proper drainage slope
A proper drainage slope is essential for ensuring water flows away from your property. If the slope of your drainage system is not correct, water can pool near your home, causing damage to your foundations or basement, if you have one. To check the slope of your drainage system, you can use a level or surveying tool.
If you find that the slope isn’t quite right (¼ inch to 3 inches per foot as a standard), you may need to re-grade the area or install additional drainage systems. It’s best to consult with a professional landscaper or drainage system expert to determine the best course of action and next steps.
Address domestic drainage problems
Failure to rectify a drainage problem quickly can result in flooding, leaks, foul odours, structural damage, and even contribute to problems such as damp. However, it’s not always obvious on the surface what the problem might be – a property’s drainage system may have cracks, displaced joints, or suffer from root ingress if there are large trees nearby. These problems are impossible to detect without a CCTV camera survey, which is a great solution to easily diagnose hard to detect issues, and the results will allow a drainage engineer to decide on the best option for repair.
Consider pipe relining, patching and milling
Patching, milling, and pipe relining can be effective solutions for addressing specific problems in your drainage system. Patch repairs, where a fibreglass mat impregnated with a silicate resin is inserted into the drain over the affected area and pressurised against the wall of the drain with a packer are ideal for short sections of damaged drains.
Milling machines, on the other hand, are designed to efficiently clean drains, removing soft blockages, scale and calcium build-up, tree roots, and concrete deposits. Failed liners and pipe imperfections can also be addressed through milling.
Drain relining involves using a resin-impregnated felt material tailored to the specific length and thickness of the pipe which is pressurised with either water or air and left to cure. This new drain will not have any joints where roots can penetrate and is a guaranteed structural repair.
Ask for expert drainage advice
Prepping your drainage system for spring should be an essential part of any spring-cleaning routine, especially with the UK’s changeable and often unpredictable weather. If you notice any signs of drain damage, serious blockages, or you’re simply not sure what the problem might be, it’s always best to consult with a drainage expert like us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help: 01268 950050. Or why not send us a message on Whatsapp?
