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Poor drainage systems can have a significant impact on the environment. Drainage consultants and drainage clearance specialists play a crucial role in ensuring that drainage systems are functioning correctly to minimise the environmental impact. In this blog post, we will discuss the environmental consequences of poor drainage systems and the importance of regular drain maintenance using drain cameras.

Flooding and Water Pollution

Poor drainage systems often lead to flooding, which can cause significant damage to the environment. Floodwaters can carry pollutants such as pesticides, fertilisers, and chemicals from agricultural fields, industrial areas, and urban areas. These pollutants can harm wildlife and aquatic ecosystems by altering water quality and depleting oxygen levels.

In addition, flooding can lead to erosion of soil and sedimentation, which can destroy habitats and cause landslides. Regular drain maintenance by drainage consultants can help prevent flooding and minimise the risk of water pollution.

Climate Change

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of rainfall events, leading to more frequent flooding. Poor drainage systems exacerbate the impact of climate change by increasing the likelihood and severity of flooding. This, in turn, leads to more water pollution and environmental damage.

By investing in regular drain maintenance, property owners can help reduce the impact of climate change on the environment. Drainage consultants can inspect and repair drainage systems, ensuring that they can handle heavy rainfall events.

Biodiversity Loss

Poor drainage systems can also lead to biodiversity loss. Wetlands, which are essential habitats for many plant and animal species, are particularly vulnerable to drainage problems. Wetland drainage can result in a loss of species diversity, as well as changes in the ecological structure of the wetland. Additionally, many wetland plants and animals are adapted to specific water levels, and changes in drainage patterns can lead to their decline. Drainage consultants can help prevent wetland destruction by ensuring that drainage systems are not damaging these important habitats.

The environmental consequences of poor drainage systems are significant, and regular drain maintenance is essential to minimise their impact. Drain cameras are a vital tool for drainage consultants, as they allow for accurate inspections and repairs of drainage systems without the need for excavation.

By investing in regular drain maintenance, property owners can protect the environment, prevent flooding and water pollution, and preserve biodiversity. Drainage consultants can help property owners develop maintenance plans that suit their needs and budget, ensuring that drainage systems remain functional and effective. Don't wait for a drainage emergency; contact a professional drainage consultant today to schedule regular drain maintenance and protect the environment.

As a business owner, it's crucial to ensure that your property's drainage system is working efficiently. The last thing you want is for your employees and customers to be inconvenienced by blocked or overflowing drains. That's where Drainage Consultants come in – professional drainage inspection experts who offer drain survey and drain maintenance services in Stockport and the surrounding areas.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of professional drainage inspection for your business, and why Drainage Consultants should be your go-to experts for all your drainage needs.

Identify Drainage Problems Before They Escalate

Blocked or damaged drains can quickly escalate from minor inconveniences to serious issues that can disrupt your business operations. Professional drainage inspection can help you identify these problems early on and take appropriate action to prevent them from worsening. Drainage Consultants use state-of-the-art technology to carry out a thorough drain survey of your property, identifying any potential issues before they become major problems.

Save Time and Money

A blocked or damaged drain can be a costly and time-consuming problem to deal with. It can disrupt your business operations and lead to lost revenue. By investing in professional drainage inspection and maintenance, you can avoid these issues altogether. Regular drain maintenance can help prevent blockages and damage, saving you both time and money in the long run.

Improve Health and Safety

Blocked or overflowing drains can create an unpleasant and unhygienic environment, posing a health risk to your employees and customers. Professional drainage inspection and maintenance can help improve health and safety on your premises by identifying and addressing any drainage issues before they escalate.

Comply with Environmental Regulations

As a business owner, you have a legal responsibility to comply with environmental regulations regarding the disposal of waste and sewage. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and legal action. Professional drainage inspection and maintenance can help ensure that your property's drainage system meets all the necessary environmental standards.

Peace of Mind

Investing in professional drainage inspection and maintenance can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your property's drainage system is in good working order. You can focus on running your business, knowing that Drainage Consultants are on hand to ensure that any drainage issues are identified and addressed promptly.

Why Choose Drainage Consultants?

At Drainage Consultants, we are experts in all aspects of drainage. Our team of highly skilled engineers uses the latest technology to carry out drain surveys and maintenance work quickly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to your business operations. We pride ourselves on delivering a high-quality service that is tailored to the needs of each individual client.

Don't wait until a drainage problem disrupts your business operations – contact Drainage Consultants today to schedule a professional drain survey and maintenance. Our team of experts will work with you to ensure that your property's drainage system is in good working order, providing you with peace of mind and saving you time and money in the long run.

Blocked drains are a common household problem that can lead to unpleasant odours and potential health hazards. While it can be tempting to try and tackle the issue on your own, DIY drain cleaning may not be the best solution. In fact, it could potentially cause more harm than good. Read below and discover why with the guidance of Drainage Consultants.

Lack of Expertise

When it comes to drain cleaning, it's important to have the right tools and expertise to get the job done. Without the proper knowledge, you could end up damaging your pipes or creating further blockages. Drainage consultants have the experience and knowledge to safely and effectively clear your drain, preventing any potential damage to your pipes.

Using the Wrong Products

Many commercial drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes and the environment. Using the wrong products can result in corrosion, which can lead to costly drain repair down the line. Drainage consultants use eco-friendly and safe solutions to clear your drain, ensuring your pipes remain intact.

Temporary Solutions

DIY drain cleaning often provides a temporary solution to a larger problem. While it may be tempting to simply clear the blockage and move on, the underlying issue could still exist. Drainage consultants can identify the root cause of the blockage and provide a more permanent solution, such as drain maintenance, to prevent the issue from recurring.

Health Hazards

Blocked drains can lead to unpleasant odours and potential health hazards. Attempting to clear the blockage yourself could expose you to harmful bacteria and fumes. Drainage consultants have the necessary equipment and protective gear to safely and effectively clear the blockage, ensuring your health and safety.

Environmental Importance

Poor drainage systems can have a severe impact on the environment, but regular drain maintenance and professional cleaning can help prevent these negative effects. Drainage consultants and drainage clearance specialists play a vital role in protecting the environment by ensuring that drainage systems are functioning correctly. By investing in regular drain maintenance and using drain cameras, property owners can help prevent flooding, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Why Choose Drainage Consultants?

At Drainage Consultants, we are committed to providing top-quality drainage solutions for our clients. Our team of experts has years of experience in the industry and is equipped with the latest tools and technology to handle any drainage issue. Interested in seeking assistance? SImply contact us today!

Blocked drains can be a headache for homeowners and businesses alike, causing water damage, unpleasant odours, and other problems. In 2023, there are several common causes of blocked drains that drainage consultants are well aware of. In this blog post, we will explore these causes and discuss how to prevent them to keep your drains flowing smoothly.

Grease and Fat Buildup

One of the leading causes of blocked drains is the buildup of grease and fat. When cooking oil, grease, and fat are poured down the drain, they solidify and cling to the inside of the pipes, gradually causing a blockage. To prevent this, it is essential to dispose of cooking oil, grease, and fat in the trash rather than pouring them down the drain. Drainage consultants can also recommend and install fat traps or grease separators to prevent the buildup of grease and fat.

Foreign Objects

Another common cause of blocked drains is foreign objects being flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink. Items like wet wipes, cotton buds, and sanitary products should never be flushed down the toilet as they can cause a blockage in the pipes. Similarly, large food particles or objects like hair can clog the sink and cause water to drain slowly. To prevent this, it is important to dispose of waste properly and to use drain covers to catch any stray debris.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can cause significant damage to drainage systems, especially in older properties. As trees grow, their roots can penetrate pipes and cause them to crack, leading to blockages and leaks. If left untreated, this can cause serious damage to your property's foundations. Drainage consultants can carry out a drain survey to identify any damage caused by tree roots and recommend the most appropriate course of action, which may involve replacing damaged pipes.

Aging Pipework

Over time, pipes can become corroded and worn, leading to blockages and leaks. This is especially true for older properties where the pipework may be several decades old. Regular drain maintenance and cleaning can help to prevent blockages caused by aging pipework. Drainage consultants can carry out regular inspections and cleaning to ensure that your pipes are in good condition and functioning correctly.

Heavy Rainfall

Heavy rainfall can cause drains to become blocked as the excess water overwhelms the drainage system. This can cause flooding, especially in low-lying areas or properties with inadequate drainage systems. Drainage consultants can install or upgrade your drainage system to cope with heavy rainfall and prevent flooding.

In conclusion, blocked drains can be caused by a variety of factors, including grease buildup, foreign objects, tree roots, aging pipework, and heavy rainfall. To prevent blockages, it is essential to dispose of waste properly, use drain covers, and carry out regular drain maintenance and cleaning. Drainage consultants can provide expert advice and services to help keep your drains flowing smoothly.

If you're experiencing blocked drains, contact Drainage Consultants today for a drain survey and drain maintenance services. Our team of experts can identify and resolve any issues with your drainage system, ensuring that your property remains free from water damage and other problems.

Drains are, without question, one of the most important areas of home maintenance and construction and you may not even realise how vital they really are. Like many things, these drains do require some maintenance from time to time and when this happens it is imperative that you know how to fix these issues and when you should call for help. After all, there are many things within the drain maintenance sector that should only ever be carried out by a trained and trusted professional. So, keep reading this blog to find out more about the importance of well-practised drain maintenance.

Unlike many things within the building industry, drains and sewers change little between residential and commercial buildings. They all need to be connected to the same master system and use the same fittings and processes within this. Though the similarities don’t just stop there. In fact, they require the same amount of repair and maintenance and use the same techniques and tools to do this. This is just another reason why you will need a drain expert to help you with these issues and ensure that you make the right decisions for your property. Though, why are drains so important?

The importance of drains

There are many things in the modern world that often pass us by without so much as a second thought. Take your lights for example, to many of us they seem like a constant something which despite the ever-rising energy prices takes little to any space up in our daily thoughts. Though we’re sure that when a power cut hits just like us you realise just how much you rely on them and just how stumped we’d all be without them. Well, much like our lights, drains follow a very similar narrative. While we press on without busy lives these unassuming pipes do our dirty work in the shadows.

Drains were first truly pioneered in the ancient world with the Greek Empire developing the skill throughout their prominent reign of power. Then, when the Greeks fell away and the Roman Empire took hold they developed this practice even further. Rome was the first city to have a truly functioning drainage system and the city's hygiene was greatly improved as a result. Of course, the system wasn’t perfect and looked a great deal different to the complex network which we see today though principles were the same. Instead of open sewage systems and dirty streets, the community's waste was directed away from residents and into safer locations.

Though after the Roman Empire fell the entire European continent slipped into a long period of technological regression and much of their knowledge was lost. The concept of covered drains and systems which directed waste away from built-up areas was lost and with it came a long period of poor hygiene and illness outbreaks. In fact, it took hundreds of years for Europe to catch up and develop a system like the Romans. Though this might come as a surprise to some of our readers, the thought that these pandemics and illnesses were a direct result of poor hygiene simply hadn’t crossed people's minds.

London was the first city to develop a modern drainage system in Europe and when other major cities saw its success they quickly followed suit. While this drain network was far from perfect and led most of the waste into the nearby River Thames it certainly made a huge difference to the city's general health and wellbeing. Today London’s drains are much improved though many of the pipes and networks follow the same route as the original system. It is clear then that drains are incredibly important and have paved the way for successful and healthy societies. So, what about your drains, how can you maintain your local system to ensure it is safe and efficient?

The importance of keeping your drains maintained

Clearly, drains are a vital part of modern society and for this reason, many people spend their day-to-day lives with little but a second thought about how they remain maintained. Yes, the roadside drains are maintained by the council and you won’t need to worry about this. Though we all have drainage systems on our properties and office buildings and these are your responsibility. We understand that it can be very easy to forget about this though every now and then you will need to fix an issue with your drains and understanding their importance is a great way of saving you money.

Rather than always waiting for something to go wrong you may be better off having an expert visit your home and assess your current drainage situation. This way they will be able to determine the state of your drains and inform you of any issues which might become worse with time. Fixing these issues before they become serious will save you a great deal of time, money and stress so it is certainly worth it. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to learn about drains and take their importance with the utmost respect. So, make sure you find a reliable drainage expert near you.

Checking your drains

More often than not we take little notice of the things we cannot see especially with busy lives and hectic jobs. Though ignoring or not checking things around your home can often lead to severe hidden costs or serious issues. IIt'sunderstandable that these issues don’t exactly sit at the forefront of your mind all of the time though it is still incredibly important to make sure that you are checking some of the things in your home every once in a while. We would suggest that you set up a few reminders on your calendar to check the vital parts of your home.

One of the things which you should check is your drain network. Your drains are brilliantly independent and when they are maintained well they usually look after themselves. Though once in a while they will require a little maintenance to ensure that they are working as they should. So, if you keep an eye on how they are functioning then you will be able to call out an expert before the issue gets too serious which will, of course, save you money. We would advise that if you do have a slight issue to call a professional out as soon as possible so you can fix the problem as soon as possible.

How the professionals will care for your drains

As with many industries, there are a variety of industry-specific techniques which drain experts will use to fix issues. Though you don’t exactly have to know these techniques it may well be useful to know them before you call a professional up. This way you will have some idea of what will be happening to your drains making it easier to talk about what you need. So, in this next section, we’ll talk about the different techniques which drain professionals will use to fix your issues. So, keep reading to find out more!

Drain cameras

This is arguably one of the more modern techniques which drain experts use to maintain and check building systems. As you might have already guessed this technique is used to find leaks or problems with the pipeline. Clearly with drain networks most of the issues happen far away from the naked eye and it can be a challenge to find the route of the issue. With a drain camera, you can find the problem without taking areas of the property apart. This will, of course, save a huge amount of money and time which is vital when it comes to construction work.

Drain lining

Sometimes when drains are a touch old or have a significant amount of use of time they will lose their integrity and leak or block easier. Replacing the whole system is an expensive and timely option so any other solution is often welcomed with open arms. With a drain lining you will protect the system all while saving money!

If you need a drain expert then make sure you contact us today! We have many years of experience in the industry and would be more than happy to talk you through any issues you may be having with your drains. We pride ourselves on listening to your concerns and making sure that we fix your issue as efficiently as possible.

It's easy to overlook your rains until there is a problem that arises. However, unattended drains that are not looked after can become seriously clogged or worse. By taking the time to invest in proper and regular drain maintenance, you can properly take care of your drains and prevent any further damage. Keep reading to find out why drain maintenance is so important for your property.

What Is Drain Maintenance?

Drain Maintenance can include a range of different things. Including cleaning, inspections and repairs to ensure everything is working properly. Blockages and damaged piping can cause a hoard of issues, which is why maintaining your drains is essential. By preventing problems or catching them early, you can prevent a more costly repair from occuring in the future.

Why Is Drain Maintenance Important?

Whether it is a commercial property or a domestic one, plumbing repairs can be costly. By having regular, professional maintenance services you can prevent more serious issues from arising. It is dependent on your drains and your property as to how often your drains will need maintenance attention. An annual cleaning is usually recommended for your drains, however, regular flushes of your drain can be a good way to keep them free of clogging and damage.

By minimising the clogging that might occur in your drains, you also reduce the risk of water blockages that are caused by a buildup of residue. Increased water pressure in your pipe systems can also lead to costly repairs, so keeping your drains free of blockages is extremely important. It will also improve the general workings of your pipes and promote efficiency when it comes to your running water.

Regular maintenance will also improve the lifespan of your drains. While they are subject to wear and tear over the course of time, just like any other part of your plumbing system, preventing unnecessary damage will be beneficial in the long run, also saving you from costly repairs.

What Causes Drain Damage?

Alongside improper maintenance, there are things you can avoid doing to keep your drains looking their best. Here are some common things that will damage your drains:

• Pouring grease and oil down your drains
• Hair and Soap build up
• Tree roots can invade your pipes
• Food can clog up your drains
• Foreign objects such as jewellery, toys, hygiene products

With blockages, the water flow in your drains will be limited and this will increase the pressure, leading to leakage and potential flooding.

Signs Of A Damaged Drain

If you are unsure as to whether your drains are looking worse for wear, there are a few telltale signs that something might not be right.

Damp

A classic sign that something is wrong in your drains is damp. Damp patches anywhere in your home could indicate that a pipe has collapsed or burst. They might appear on the floor or on the walls, and if you leave them unattended they can cause more serious problems, so it is best to get any damp patches looked at and dealt with appropriately.

Backup & Smell

Damaged drains will not be functioning properly, because of blocked water flow and a backlog inside the pipes. Subsequently, there may be a bad smell coming from your drains, caused by blockages within your pipes. If your drains aren't regularly looked at or cleaned, this can get significantly worse and pipes can start to collapse.

If you’re noticing common blockages, a bad smell or overflowing in your home, this could be a sign that there is damage somewhere in your drains and you should get this looked into by a professional.

Cracks & Sinking

In severe situations, where drains sit underneath important structural points of your house, like the floor or the walls, collapsing drains can cause detrimental damage. It may also be that the drainage system in your house runs under your driveway, and damage to these pipes can cause cracking to occur within the concrete. This type of damage to your property can be extremely costly to fix, so catching the issue before it worsens into a more expensive repair.

Following on from this, in very extreme cases, cracks can worsen and develop into sinking over time. If your drain is subsiding, it means the pipes have been damaged and not working properly for some time. Sinking of the pipes is caused by water leaking out into the soil and the surrounding area, leading to a slump or a visible indentation.

How Can You Protect Your Drains?

You can look after your drains at home, however for commercial properties, hiring a professional could be a more reliable way to ensure your drains are working properly. Here are some ways to look after your drains at home:

Clean Out Your Drains With Boiling Water

This is one of the easiest ways to maintain your drains at home. On a weekly or a daily basis, you can simply pour boiling water down your drains to start breaking up any debris and preventing blockages from occurring. Boiling water will help to move any grease, oil or foreign objects that are lingering in your drains.

You can do this anytime after you've boiled the kettle, so you aren't boiling it unnecessarily, and it is a good measure to take to keep your drains from becoming clogged.

Baking Soda

You may think that you need a harsh chemical product to really clear out your drain, however, there are plenty of substitutes you can use that are just as effective and can be found in your home.

If you want to protect your drains from bad odours and keep them clean, a baking soda and vinegar solution will do just the trick. A small amount of baking soda, followed by white vinegar is a great home treatment for your drains and will keep them smelling clean. For even better results, you can flush the baking soda and vinegar with boiling water, to maintain water flow in the pipes and give everything a once over.

Protective Screens

Drain screens are an extremely affordable way to look after your pipes. They are a good preventative method that can save your drains from blockages and clogging in the first place. They catch larger bits of debris and you can then empty the screen into the bin, removing the waste that will contribute to the clogging of your pipes.

You can put screens into your kitchen sink to pick up food bits that you don't want in the drain, or in your shower, to prevent hair from clogging up your pipes. You can continue to empty the screens into the bin, removing all debris from the drain.

Professional Drain Cleaning

Sometimes a blocked drain can be too much for you to deal with, so calling in a professional team may be your best option. For commercial properties, dealing with all the drains in your building may not be possible single handedly, so hiring a company to help you out will work in your favour.

An annual drain cleaning is recommended, however, you can practise drain maintenance throughout the year, and on a regular basis for safe measure, and to prevent damages from occurring in the first place.

Drainage Consultants Ltd

Overall, maintaining your drains professionally can prevent a range of issues from occurring. Preventing issues before they become more serious is a good way to ensure you aren’t having to pay for expensive repairs.

Here at Drainage Consultants Limited, we are committed to providing an excellent drainage cleaning service for your domestic or commercial properties. We understand how important drain surveying and consultancy is, to keep your property safe from blockages and leaks. Our team of drain experts is reliable and retains relevant experience to give you the best recommendations or advice.

For any further enquiries or information about our services and what we provide, feel free to get in touch with us and speak to one of esteemed team members. We will be happy to advise you and help you with your drainage concerns.

Many people experience blocked drains in their homes at some point, and though this may be the result of factors beyond their control, often it is down to people putting certain items and/or substances down their drains that shouldn’t be going down there.

We understand that in many cases this is an innocent mistake, and some people may not even realise that they may be contributing to the issue. That’s why we’ve listed two of the most common culprits for drain blockages and how you can avoid them becoming an issue.

Hair

That’s right, hair. When you wash your hair, it is natural for some of this hair to shed - did you know that, on average, most people shed around 100 strands of hair each day? Many of these will come out when you wash your hair, since the process of cleaning it and massaging your scalp helps to loosen them (this is nothing to worry about, it’s simply a natural process to help make way for new hair growth).

As such, a lot of these hair strands will go down the drain. With the soap and products that are also washing down the drain and the scum that is already in the pipes, this hair can become stuck, rather than even making it to the sewer. As more hair goes down it becomes more and more tangled, creating a blockage that prevents water from draining as effectively as it should.

To reduce this, there are different types of protective covers you can get for your plug hole that act as strainers - these have smaller holes in them that allow water to still flow through and drain as it should, whilst catching any hair en route, so that you can simply dispose of it in the bin instead!

Baby Wipes

If you speak to anyone who works with drains, then it is likely that they’d all agree on one thing - you should never flush any items other than toilet paper down the toilet. Many people are aware of this, however there are still a few that make the mistake of thinking there are exceptions.

One particular culprit is baby wipes. Since they are associated with toiletry use and appear very similar to toilet paper, a lot of people think that they’re okay to flush. This is not the case. Due to their composition, baby wipes can very easily become stuck in your drain, so the more that you flush down there the more likely it is that it will become clogged and cause a drainage problem.

The best way to avoid this is to simply not flush anything down the toilet other than toilet paper, whether that’s baby wipes, kitchen roll or sanitary products.

Drainage Consultants

If you’re experiencing a blocked drain in the bathroom or further down the pipeline, then contact Drainage Consultants Ltd. With over 20 years of experience, we are confident that we offer the services you need to fix the problem in no time, whether that be a CCTV survey or our drain cleaning services.

Get in touch with us today to speak with one of our experts and book your free, no obligation consultation.

Many commercial businesses choose to opt into drain maintenance plans, as insufficient management of the drainage systems on their premises can severely impact their business operations and the surrounding area should any unforeseen issues occur. This especially rings true when it comes to hospitality and places such as supermarkets, who rely heavily on the proper functioning of their drainage network.

By having a drain maintenance plan in place, your business’s drainage network will receive regular, scheduled monitoring, cleaning and assessments to check that everything is in working order and to identify any potential problems that may be occurring or could occur in the future, so that these can be rectified sooner rather than later.

Here are some of the benefits that planned drainage maintenance offers.

Reduced Downtime

When you schedule your drain maintenance, you may be able to schedule it to take place at a time that is outside of your business’s operating hours. Doing so means that there will be minimal disruption to your business, as well as those in the local area, while the drains will be out of use.

By completing a CCTV drain survey, the drainage consultant will be able to efficiently diagnose any problems and rectify these quickly, whilst emergency repairs instead have the potential to take much longer due to their unforeseen nature.

Avoid Significant Damage

By carrying out planned maintenance, any issues or potential issues that are identified can be resolved before they develop into larger problems. Whether this be ongoing damage, small blockages or cracks in pipes, it is best for these to be fixed while they are minor than when they are major, which will require more work, be more time consuming and more costly - which leads us onto our next point.

Save Money in the Long Run

Should your drains encounter a big problem and require intense repair, this often results in hefty costs, especially if you require emergency call-out services. Rather than running the risk of having to pay large sums of money to repair your drains over time, paying less to have regular maintenance will ensure that your drains are kept to a high standard so that they never get to that point in the first place, ultimately saving you money.

Quality Drain Cleaning in Manchester

Based in Greater Manchester but serving areas across the UK, here at Drainage Consultants Ltd we offer a number of practical drainage solutions and services for commercial businesses across numerous sectors.

If you’re interested in one of our drain maintenance packages and would like to learn more, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. A member of our friendly team will be more than happy to help.

So, you’ve got a burst pipe that needs relining? No problem! Pipe relining can fix that in as easy as 1 2 3. But… How, exactly? Modern technology and methods mean that broken pipes can be efficiently relined in an as minimally intrusive manner as possible, without having to dig up your whole garden just to be able to find the leak and get to the sewer pipe or perform an excavation.

Read on below as we explain how the process of relining a sewer pipe works from start to finish.

CCTV Survey

Firstly, a drain camera will be inserted into the pipe to perform a CCTV survey and identify where the problem area is. This could be a radial crack or a faulty joint that is causing a leak. By using a camera in this way, this allows the drain consultants to locate where they will need to fit the new lining in the drain so that the leak is securely patched up.

Inversion

Once the problem area has been identified, it’s time to reline the drain. This process it’s what’s known as inversion, which involves bonding a new lining to the area inside the drain where there is a leak. This is also known as a patch repair, since it is not actually the whole drain that is being relined, rather it is effectively patching up a specific area.

In order to do this, a drain patch (typically made from fibreglass) is filled with an epoxy or polyester resin and wrapped around a pipe packer. This tool is then carefully inserted into the pipe, down to the point where the leak is, as previously identified by the camera.

Once in place, water or air pressure is used to inflate and invert the liner (hence the name inversion) so that it lays flush against the existing walls of the drain. This is then left to cure so that it is securely bonded and the drain is usable again.

Typically, this process can be completed in a day, with the curing process taking as little as an hour when it comes to simple patch repair. However, this can take longer when relining larger areas of the drain, and external factors such as the ambient temperature or type of resin used may also have an effect.

The Benefits

So, now that you know what pipe relining is, what are the benefits of this process?

They are as follows:

• Minimal disruption
• Cost effective
• Resistant to water ingress and root penetration
• Reduces friction factor (increases potential flow rate)

If you suspect that there is a fault in one of your drains, then don’t hesitate to reach out to Drainage Consultants Ltd. Serving various areas across the UK, our services are second to none when it comes to pipe relining and drain repair. Contact us today to learn more.

When it comes to modern drain repairs, there are multiple methods that are used to tackle various issues in the safest and least intrusive way possible - this includes things such as drain cleaning, pipe relining and gel sealing. However, sometimes if the damage is beyond repair or the circumstances leave no other choice for it, drain excavation can be the only necessary option.

Drain excavation is usually avoided where possible due to the intrusive, disruptive and time-consuming nature of such a process, but there are some instances in particular where it is most likely to be the only plan of action for fixing a damaged drain. We’ve listed these for you below, so you can see when a drain excavation may be necessary.

Collapsed Drains

If your sewage pipe has become severely damaged over time, then it may start to crack and cave in on itself, at which point it becomes a collapsed drain. There are a number of factors that can lead to this happening, such as freezing temperatures, regular blockages, pressure/strain on the pipes and general poor maintenance.

When part of your drains collapse, this means that this portion of the pipes must be replaced, since the damage is often too severe to be fixed otherwise. As such, a drain excavation would be required, since there are no non-intrusive solutions that are suitable for undertaking this work.

Tree Root Damage

Believe it or not, tree roots can actually cause a lot of damage to your drains (we’ve written about how trees damage drains in another blog if you’d like to learn more!), and if left unchecked this can become so severe that other methods, such as precision root cutting and pipe relining, will not be enough to resolve the damage.

If tree roots get into your pipes through cracks then continue to grow, this can cause said cracks to become larger. When you have particularly large and resilient tree roots, these may grow to the point that your drain ruptures. If this happens, then the hole may be too large to fix and would require this section of the drain to be replaced instead, which means an excavation would be needed.

Subsidence

If the area you live in experiences a particularly long dry spell or certain local vegetation that may be soaking up excessive amounts of moisture from the soil, then this can cause a soil shift and ground movement, which may lead to subsidence occurring.

The issue with this is that major subsidence can lead to drains rupturing due to the excess pressure of the shifted soil impacting them, which may then lead to further issues such as leaks that can lead to even more shifts in ground movement and damage the drain further.

An excavation would be necessary in order to replace and stabilise the drain, so that any future ground movement could be better tolerated and wouldn’t lead to another excavation.

Drainage Consultants

If you’ve noticed an issue with your drain or believe any of the aforementioned issues may be affecting your pipes, then you need to reach out to Drainage Consultants Ltd. We are experts in completing effective drain repairs and excavation work both safely and efficiently.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today for your free consultation!

Drains are some of the most important factors in any building. In fact, without a well-run and efficient drainage system, your building would most likely grind to a halt in terms of its efficiency and safety. Of course, we have known this for some time and drains have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. The Greeks and the Romans both pioneered the technology and today drains are guaranteed throughout western Europe. However, these systems don’t just look after themselves and sometimes they need a bit of work. So, what should you look out for when choosing your drainage specialist?

Reliability

Of course, one of the most important things to look out for with any construction job is a team that can be relied upon. All too often you hear of nightmare stories where contractors and consultants have left a job without warning and failed to mention any hidden costs. This can quite naturally be incredibly stressful for many building owners and you will want to avoid this at all costs. So, before you choose your specialist make sure that they are reliable and trustworthy. This will ensure that your project goes smoothly and it will also reduce the costs somewhat.

Cost

As we are sure you are aware it is imperative that you get a quote for the work before you have any improvements carried out. Of course, you must still have the work completed but without an initial quote, you won’t be able to keep track of the costs and make sure you are getting the best possible value for money. So, when you get this quote from the drainage contractors make sure that the cost they give is something which you deem to be fair. This way, you can ensure that your building work is completed to the highest standard.

Experience

Naturally, with any construction project, you must ensure that the person completing the job is experienced in the task at hand. Without any experience, there is a very real chance that things will be missed and you may even cause more damage. So, you should ensure that your drainage specialist is adequately trained and experienced for the task at hand. With experience will also come efficiency and hopefully, this will mean that the work which needs to be done shall be completed in a reasonable time. So, you can go back to enjoying your building in all of its glory.

If you need a drainage specialist then don’t worry here at Drainage Consultants Ltd we tick all of the boxes mentioned above! So, make sure you contact us today and speak with our friendly staff about your drainage issue. We have many years of experience and would love to help you get things back on track when it comes to your drains.

There is no question that Drains have been one of the most influential inventions in human history. This may sound a little surprising to some of our readers as the humble drain isn’t exactly the most exciting topic from the outset. However, if you dive deeper into the history and origin of the drain it does become extremely fascinating. The drain is now a common site throughout the world and the largest cities on the globe would simply grind to a halt without their existence. So, where did this invention come from and what made it so popular?

Early history

As you might expect drains have now been around for well over a thousand years and were first pioneered by the ancient Greeks. There is evidence to suggest some rudimentary versions of the drainage system were invented before the Greeks, though the Greek Empire was the first to really nail down the concept. Like many other inventions, the Romans soon adopted the Greek philosophy when it came to drains and Rome was a maze of them during its heyday. This meant that for the first time in history, tens of thousands of people could live in the same small area without too much risk of disease.

Middle ages

After the Roman empire collapsed so too did the rest of Europe. In fact, the fall of the Roman empire marked the beginning of hundreds of years of steady decline. The western world slipped back into a subsistence style of living which didn't fully recover for many hundreds of years. Drains are just one example of the many thousands of inventions that were forgotten in history. This lack of basic hygiene is one of the reasons why the black death or bubonic plague killed so many people in Europe. However, only after The Great Stink of 1858 did a drainage system remotely similar to the Romans idea come back into the fold.

The rich and powerful in London had decided that enough was enough and built a complete drainage system under the city. This system started the drainage revolution and now almost every large settlement in the world features one.

Modern history

We now live in a world where most people reside in large cities. London alone now hosts over 8 million people and all of these people need to live in healthy conditions. Of course, the drain is key to this and without an efficient system, we would be running the risk of huge health risks and terrible disease outbreaks. This is why London is now undergoing one of the largest drain expansions in the world to prepare it for the increased population which is predicted over the next 100 years.

If you’re in need of a drainage consultant then make sure you contact us today! We have a brilliant reputation and can certainly help!

Building projects are of course filled with important tasks and we’re sure that many would argue that each job is just as important as the other. However, there is no question that some areas of a building project hold more weight than others. These are the areas which you will need to spend a touch more time on to ensure that your project runs smoothly and you get the result which you want. Of course, we can’t mention all of the areas in this blog but we’ll certainly try to give you a low down on the most significant. So, keep reading this blog to find out more!

Foundations

It goes without saying really that your building's foundations are one of the most important aspects of the project. In fact, many would argue that they are the most important part of the construction process. After all, this is what will keep your structure solid and will form the base for everything else. There are many ways of building a foundation and a variety of different engineering processes. So, it is vital that you consider a range of options for your building's foundations and consult both an architect and a structural engineer to develop detailed drawings and plans of this.

Roofing

It goes without saying really that roofing is a vital part of any building. Aside from the obvious weatherproofing which must be completed, there are a few other areas which make roofing so important. Many would argue that the roof is the weakest part of a structure due to its unusual shape and exposure. So, you must ensure that your roof’s frame is built to an impeccable standard and can withstand a fair amount of weather. After all, this should last you more than a lifetime. The easiest way to ensure that your roof is built with quality and care is to hire a team of reliable and experienced carpenters to build the frame for your roof.

Drainage problems

Drainage problems are some of the most serious issues to face in a building and you must make sure that these are squared away as soon as possible. After all, if you have a severe drainage issue and you don’t solve it as soon as possible you could impact the structural integrity of the structure. So, make sure that you hire a proficient drainage consultant for your project so you can maintain the utmost confidence in your building's strength. There are of course many drainage consultants out there however we have one of the best reputations in the country and can certainly help and advise with any issue you might have.

Make sure you contact us today if you need a drainage consultant. We have many years of experience and would love to talk with you about fixing your drain issue!

There is no doubt that drainage consultants are extremely important for building projects. In fact, many construction experts would count it as a huge failing if a consultant wasn’t hired for a project. One thing is for sure though, all buildings need efficient drainage solutions and you must ensure that your architects and engineers have factored this in when designing your building. What's more, keeping your drains in good condition after your building has been constructed is equally important and you should endeavour to use a consultant for this kind of work as well.

Insurance

Drains are some of the most important aspects of any building. After all, if you get these wrong, it could cause a huge health and safety risk to the occupants or visitors of the building. You should then have complete confidence that your drains are suitable for the task at hand and built and maintained to an exceptional standard. Without this, you may run the risk of having unsatisfactory systems that pose large risks to the public or yourself. So, make sure that you hire a drainage consultant so you can be confident in the system which you have.

Efficiency

Building work can be extremely time-consuming and projects which go on for longer usually cost more. Of course, everyone wants to keep the costs of projects like this as low as possible, so hiring a consultant is essential. With a professional and experienced consultant, they will be able to guide you in the right direction so you make the most of the budget which you have. They will also ensure all of the work is completed to an exponential standard so you reduce the risk of any nasty hidden costs later down the line!

Building regulations

There are a myriad of regulations which you, as a builder, owner, or refurbisher of a building, must adhere to. Often these regulations are a touch confusing, especially when they regard a very specific section of the construction industry. The drainage sector is one of these areas of the industry, which can cause some confusion when it comes to building regulations. With a drainage consultant, you can ensure that your building is up to date with the current regulations, which means that it will retain its value.

If you’re in need of a drainage consultant, then make sure that you contact us today. We have plenty of experience in the industry and know how to ensure that your drains are up to standard. We pride ourselves on listening to your needs and making sure that you get the service which you’re after. What’s more, our staff are passionate and experienced and would love to talk you through your drainage options.

Any homeowner who has ever experienced drainage issues could tell you what a nightmare these can be, which is why many will contact the experts as soon as they spot the warning signs that something is wrong. Drainage issues can be caused by numerous factors, but did you know that one of these includes trees? In fact, trees are actually one of the most common culprits when it comes to drain damage.

Keep reading below as we go on to tell you all you need to know about how trees can cause damage to your drains, how to spot the warning signs and what can be done to fix the damage they may cause.

How Do Trees Damage Drains?

When we say that trees can cause damage to drains, we aren’t actually talking about the beautiful, luscious parts of the trees you see above ground, rather it’s what goes on underground where the issue lies.

Trees have extensive root systems underground. These roots thrive in moist, nutrient conditions and will actively seek out the damper parts of the soil; as such, they are very much attracted to the moisture-rich soil surrounding drains and sewer pipes, meaning they will grow towards these areas. Not only that, but because the earth surrounding these pipes will have been previously disturbed, it is even easier for roots to travel along these trenches that were dug to make way for the pipes and drains to be placed in comparison to undisturbed earth.

Typically, these roots will not be able to penetrate the pipes unless they are already damaged - cracks and leaks can form in drainage systems over time as a natural part of wear and tear, or sometimes after extreme weather conditions causing them to experience excessive strain. If there are weak points along the drainage system, such as a loose joint or small crack, then it is through these faults that they are able to enter, being attracted to the moisture and oxygen flowing through the pipes.

Once you have tree roots in your drain, then they will continue to grow the longer they are left before being dealt with, which can lead to further damage in the pipes as well as cause blockages, which could result in a number of repercussions for you. This is why it is important to spot any warning signs early on and act on them sooner rather than later, since this will both minimise the damage and will be easier to resolve.

Signs You Have Tree Roots in Your Drain

Being underground, spotting whether you have tree root damage in your drains through visual signs is, of course, not exactly feasible - less you go digging up your garden every week to check, though we highly doubt that. Thankfully, there are other signs that you can look out for on the surface and within your home to determine if there is a potential problem.

Signs in the Garden

One of the first places to spot signs of tree roots damaging your drain is in your garden itself. There are a couple of indicators in particular that you could look out for.

The first is if you notice any green patches in your garden compared to the rest of the area. Perhaps you have a particularly luscious patch of lawn, greener bushes in one area or one tree has suddenly seemed to grow a lot more. This could be due to certain areas of your garden having access to more nutrients than others, which could be due to tree roots blocking your drain.

The second is if you notice wet patches or sinkholes developing in your garden. If tree roots do get into your drainage pipes, they can cause a hole to develop whereby wastewater will then leak out into your garden. When areas of your garden become saturated with this wastewater, you will get muddy soft spots that will eventually start to cave in and turn into sinkholes. These will also likely smell, which is a good indicator of a burst or ruptured drain.

Signs in the Home

There are also signs you can look out for in the house; though these are indicators of potential drain damage, this could be due to a number of reasons rather than specifically tree roots, but it is still worth checking either way.

One key indicator that there is an obstruction in your drains is if your water is draining slowly. Whether it’s your bath, sink or even toilet, if you notice that these are draining slower than usual, this suggests that there is an issue under the surface. If there are tree roots in your sewer pipes, then waste will get tangled with these, making it harder for water to pass through, hence why it could be draining slower.

Leading on from this, if your water and waste continues to fail to drain successfully, it can then lead to these becoming backed-up. Rather than draining, your wastewater will have nowhere else to go but back, so you may notice that when you drain your bath, fill your sink or flush the toilet that these all instead fill up with more water and potentially waste already sitting in your drain pipes, since there is nowhere else for it to escape.

Of course, if your wastewater is building up or simply sitting in your pipes for long periods, then it is likely that you’ll notice your plumbing starting to smell. If you do find that there is a foul drain smell filling your house, then this is a telltale sign that there is a drainage problem. Whether or not this is caused by tree roots, it still needs to be checked out.

Resolving the Issue

So, now that you know what to look out for to determine whether or not you may have tree roots obstructing your drains, what’s the solution if you do? Most importantly, you need to call the experts. Though the root damage may be superficial, it is important that repair work is carried out properly and professionally to avoid further damage in the future.

Below, we’ve listed the ways a plumber may go about clearing roots from your drain and repairing any damage.

Drain Inspection

Before carrying out any repairs, it is a good idea to have a CCTV drain survey carried out on your drains. By using a drain inspection camera, a plumber will be able to more clearly see what is causing the issue, the severity of it and precisely where it is before taking any action. This is much easier and more efficient than having to dig up more of your garden than necessary in order to identify the issue and try to tackle it blind.

This also allows them to decide what method will be best to approach the problem so as not to make it worse or take longer than necessary.

Clearing Blockages

If it is established that you have tree roots blocking your drain, then there are a number of ways this can be tackled.

In the worst case scenario whereby tree roots are completely blocking your drain and have caused it to rupture, then you may require an excavation and replacement. Thankfully, however, it is often the case that blockages can be cleared using root cutting.

Though chemicals can be used to clear roots, this isn’t best to be used with plumbing since it could pollute local waterways. By using precision cutting techniques instead, the roots can be removed from within your pipes, minimising the damage to the tree whilst targeting the specific area in your drains.

If the blockage is more extensive, then another effective and safe method is hydro cutting. Using high pressure water jets, these can flush water down drains to break through the tree roots and clear them out of the way.

Pipe Relining

Once the tree roots in your drain have been removed, then it is time for the drain repairs. The most common method for this is pipe relining.

This is a quick, effective and non-disruptive method of fixing cracks and holes in pipes, whereby a liner is filled with specialist polyester resin and inserted into the drain. Once in place, this liner is inverted using water or air pressure, securing it against the rest of the pipe and covering the crack or hole, then being left to cure so that it sets into place.

Once the lining has cured, it will act as a strong barrier that is resilient to root penetration and ground movement, reducing the risk of your tree root problems recurring.

Drainage Consultants Ltd

Are you experiencing issues with your drainage system that you think could be due to tree roots? Here at Drainage Consultants, we offer a number of domestic drainage services to help get to (quite literally) the root of the problem and have your drains flowing freely again.

Our highly-trained and experienced operatives specialise in restoring flow to blocked drainage systems using the latest equipment and techniques, doing so with as little disruption as possible.

Get in touch with us today for your free consultation!

If you suspect to have a drainage problem or complication in your property, it is of paramount importance that you get a drain survey to inspect the issue. It can often be difficult to locate the exact issue at hand, so consulting a team of experts is of great importance. From a CCTV drain survey to a drain clearance, they can use precise procedures to eliminate the palpable risks of leaving a drainage problem to gestate on your property.

Read on to find out the harmful effects of a blocked drain and why it is worth having drainage problems aptly inspected to avoid further issues down the line.

Unpleasant Odours

The first sign of a drainage problem is commonly a very unpleasant smell. This derives from when pieces of waste are washed down and get stuck; they don’t reach the sewage system and are left to rot over time, creating a smell that goes through the pipework and back into the home. If you smell something unpleasant in and around your home, a drain survey or drain clearance might be needed.

Structural Damage

A collapsed drain can cause wastewater to leak into the soil surrounding your home. It can then seep into the foundations of your home, causing damage to the structural layout and necessitating potentially expensive and extensive repairs

Pests

When waste gets stuck in your drains, certain pests are attracted to this rotting material and the stagnant water, leading them to attempt to get into your home. They’re also attracted to the damp mould and mildew that come from leaking water.

Health Risks

A drainage problem can be a very serious threat to the health of those in the building. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and the microbes which circle in the air are incredibly harmful to those with asthma or certain allergies. It is important for your health that any drainage problem is inspected; a drain survey can help clarify the issue and show what course to take for it to be fixed.

Drainage Consultants Ltd

If you suspect your home has a drain problem and requires action, at Drainage Consultants Ltd we are here to help! Our experts can perform a drain survey or a drain clearance, as well as relining, moling, and excavation procedures, allowing you to rest easy knowing that your drains are fully functional and effective.

Get in touch with us today to fix your drainage problem, call us at 08000 654 111 for a free consultation or email us online at enquiries@drainageconsultantsltd.co.uk.

We’re sure that your home is one of the most important aspects of your life. After all, this is where you spend time with your family and friends but it's also where you unwind to take a breather. It is then imperative that you look after your home in every way you can so it lasts a lifetime. What’s more, treating your home with care will ensure that your investment is secure and when it comes to selling the property this will be much easier. So, when you have work completed on your home it is vital that you choose the right service providers but how can you check this? Keep reading this blog to find out.

Proven track record

One of the most essential things to ensure when you’re picking drainage consultants is to understand whether they have a good reputation. After all, services like this rely heavily on client satisfaction and a good reputation will speak volumes for the company's capability. Of course, this is not the only contributing factor but it will hugely impact your decision. So, make sure you understand the company’s reputation and use this along with a few other things to understand whether to choose them.

Here at Drainage Consultants Limited, we have a brilliant reputation and our client satisfaction rate really is second to none. We pride ourselves on listening to our clients to ensure that they are happy with every stage of the project.

Communication

When you’re planning a new project in your home or business then you need to have effective communication with your experts. Drainage consultants need to be on hand to explain the situation as it is happening so you can make informed decisions. Without this communication, the entire project could break down. So, you need to ensure that your consultants have clear and effective communication and keep you informed on every aspect of the project.

Here at Drainage Consultants Limited we focus a huge amount of our energy on ensuring that we provide clear and concise communication. This way you can be confident about the job at hand and also fully up to date with the project.

If you’re looking for some trustworthy and reliable drainage consultants then look no further than Drainage Consultants Limited. We have an exceptional reputation and a proven track record of delivering effective service. Certainly, our previous clients have always walked away happy with our services and enthusiastic about recommending us in the future. So, head over to our website to check out more about our services or contact us today! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff would love to hear from you to understand your project and what needs to be done.

Drain issues are, unfortunately, part and parcel of construction work and owning large buildings or homes. Sometimes these problems can be difficult to spot and challenging to fix due to the nature of pipelines. So, carrying out this work on your own can often be challenging and sometimes incredibly costly. It is then imperative to hire a drain expert so you use your money wisely and make sure you complete the job well. So, what can a drain expert actually do for you?

Spot an issue

One of the first hurdles that many people face with drain problems is actually spotting when there is an issue. Faults with water systems can often involve an underlying problem with the drainage system however they may have nothing to do with the drains at all. Sometimes it is other external factors which are at play. So, a draining expert can help you to find a problem and work out the most appropriate solution.

Spotting an issue is often achieved by eye and experts who have been in the industry for some time can find issues very quickly. There are a few clear signs which experts will look out for and within no time you’ll have a solution in place and a plan of action. Though every once in a while it can be more challenging to find an issue and this is where the drain expert proves even more valuable.

There are a few key industry-specific tools that can help experts to spot issues within a drain. One of these is the CCTV camera which can spot problems which are not visible from the outside. The camera is lowered into the piping and controlled by a remote on the surface. The drain expert has this remote and can move the camera through the pipeline. This will allow the professionals to spot an issue and plan a solution accordingly.

Fix a drain problem

Drain issues are often fairly complex problems and fixing them without professional help can be incredibly time-consuming. So, it is often suggested that you should contact a drain professional. This way you can be sure that the repair will last for several years to come. Whether it's drain cleaning or drain lining an expert will certainly be able to fix the problem.

Here at Drainage Consultants Limited we offer a variety of services including emergency drain clearance, precision root cutting, and drain lining.

If you need a drain expert then we can help. We have plenty of experience in the industry and have been helping people fix their drains for many years. We pride ourselves on listening to you so we can deliver the best possible service and results. So, make sure to contact us today to find out more! Our staff are experienced and friendly so they would love to talk you through your options.

Every once in a while our home or business faces an issue which we don’t quite understand. Often, it takes a lot of time and money to solve these mysteries but there are a few modern solutions which are cutting these times right down. When it comes to drainage there are some clear issues with pinpointing faults. Naturally, experts cannot cut the piping open and compromise the system so how do they find issues? Before the introduction of new technology, the task of spotting these issues was considerably more difficult. So, what are CCTV drainage surveys and how do they work?

What is a CCTV drainage survey?

Naturally, it is extremely challenging to find the cause of an issue when it comes to drains. So, a CCTV drainage survey uses the latest technology to pinpoint the issue. Essentially a small remote camera will be placed into the drain, from which experts can move the camera through the drain all while seeing this live on a screen. The live feed will then allow the surveyors to accurately identify the issue and plan a solution accordingly. The technology is incredibly useful and saves both time and money.

Here at Drainage Consultants Limited our CCTV drainage surveys are carried out by NRSWA-accredited drainage specialists so you can rest assured that no stone will be left unturned. This accreditation will also ensure that you have all of the information ready to complete your ISO-14001 family environmental certification.

Why choose a CCTV drainage survey?

Essentially a CCTV drainage survey will allow you to reach areas of your drains that would be impossible unless you cut into the drains. These surveys are ideal if you have an issue with your drains but you and the experts can’t find the direct source of the issue. The CCTV camera will be able to find the route of the issue efficiently which will save you both time and money. What’s more here at Drainage Consultants Limited we can use precise sonar drain tracing so we can accurately determine the location of an issue. This will drastically reduce the impact of a drainage repair.

If you’re after a CCTV drainage survey then here at Drainage Consultants Limited we can help. We have many years of experience in the industry and can certainly help you to find the route to the issue. We pride ourselves on producing effective and cost-efficient results for our customers so you can certainly rely on us. So make sure to contact us today for more information about our services. Our staff are experienced and friendly and would love to talk to you about the services we offer and how we can help.

It may seem like something that we have simply always had but drainage and advanced sewer systems are in fact a fairly recent invention. They are now of course used all around the world and without them many diseases and other illnesses would spread through cities and towns at an alarming rate. The modern city would be nigh on impossible without sufficient drainage systems. So, where did these incredible examples of engineering come from and who were the first people to build them? Keep reading this blog to find out some fascinating facts about the world's sewers and drainage systems.

Most of us are indebted to the modern sewer system and there’s no guessing why really. Without it, we would all have far more work on our hands and in fact, it would make our day-to-day lives unrecognisable from their current state. There would be almost no time for careers away from the home and simply looking after your land would take up a huge amount of your time. The seemingly simple invention has unequivocally changed our lives for the better. Though dealing with human waste has in some form been around for thousands of years. So, who were the first people to pioneer the sewer and drainage principles?

Early history

Humans have in fact been disposing of their waste in a fairy-organised fashion for some time. Naturally, if you go back thousands of years to when we were simply hunter-gatherers there was little need for an organised system for our waste. People could simply dispose of it in nearby areas or bury it somewhere. This was, of course, because there were far less people on the planet at this time and we settled in far smaller groups. In fact, there would have been many groups that were only a handful of people which made the whole issue of waste far less serious.

However, as the human race advanced we started to congregate into larger and larger groups. This, of course, meant that we started to have far more human, food, and water waste but at the time there was no proven way to deal with all this waste in an efficient and easy way.

Though, a few thousand years ago before the Greeks, Minoans, and Mesopotamians some groups and tribes in the area that is now modern-day Pakistan created drainage systems which resemble the current-day sewer system. Little did they know, but this invention would change the course of history.

The invention of the drainage system really was the catalyst for organised societies and from this simple creation, we laid the foundation for modern human civilization. These ancient sewer systems from tribes in Pakistan used flowing water to direct the waste to nearby water systems and pits. These pits were also cleaned every once in a while to make way for more human waste. This may be somewhat hard to believe but this rudimentary system was still used in London up until the late 1800s, but more on that later!

Greek History

It is hardly surprising but after these early tribes started to perfect rudimentary drainage the system really exploded in popularity and many groups started to share their knowledge on waste management. The Ancient Greeks were the next group of people to really push this movement forward. Historians and archaeologists have found many public toilet remains in some of Greece’s most famous historic sites and even decadent toilets within palaces. The toilets in these cities and towns were all connected through the very early examples of drains. Some of these were directed to large pits, while others led to rivers and the sea (if it was nearby).

Roman history

Naturally, this article would not be complete without a mention of the Romans. The Roman Empire along with the Ancient Greek Empire was one of the largest contributors to modern society. There were thousands of inventions which catapulted the human race into the modern sphere. Nowadays we still use many principles which were pioneered by Romans.

The Cloaca Maxima

The Cloaca Maxima is one of the most famous historic sewers in the world and was built beneath the streets of Rome thousands of years ago. The sewer system was a snaking maze of subterranean passages which led the Romans' waste to nearby rivers. At the time this was a huge step forward in city planning technology and allowed the population of Rome to explode.

The Dark Ages

You might well expect that after the huge advancements in technology during the Greek and Romans, empires we continued to push the world of waste management forward. Though like many other things, the progression of drainage technology stopped suddenly in its tracks after the collapse of the Roman Empire. In fact, the entirety of Europe fell into what is now known as The Dark Ages. For hundreds of years tribes throughout the continent regressed to a subsistence style of living and waste management became almost non-existent.

European cities and towns reverted to cesspits which were, essentially, just holes in the ground covered with a rudimentary wooden structure. These cesspits were of course incredibly unhealthy to live next to and became a hotspot for diseases and illness (though nobody at the time thought so). Even our castles and palaces used a similar system with many castles just having holes in the walls where human waste would just fall straight onto the streets below. Clearly then, it was only a matter of time before diseases spread through the highly populated but incredibly unhygienic continent.

The Black Death

The Black Death or Bubonic Plague (as it is officially known) swept through Western Europe between 1346 and 1353 and killed an estimated 200,000,000 people. To put that dizzying figure into perspective that is almost four times the population of the UK. It is undeniably the most fatal pandemic in human history and changed the course of modern-day Europe. The huge rate of fatalities is all down to one fairly unassuming creature. The rate. It’s hardly surprising really that these creatures thrived in the dirty streets where human waste would build up to unimaginable levels. The rats carried the disease and spread it rapidly throughout the cities and towns of 14th-century Europe.

You may well think that after the catastrophic disaster of the Black Death, we began to wake up to the effects of human waste and the lack of any organised waste disposal system. Though you would be quite wrong in that assumption. In fact, we continued to live without any organised sewage system for hundreds of years after the Bubonic Plague, until inevitably, disaster struck again.

The Great Stink

In the 19th century, London's population had risen to almost 2 million people and the city was now in dire need of a waste management system. Cholera, a water-born disease, was ripping its way through the city and nobody seemed to join the dots between raw sewage pouring into the River Thames and the city's incredibly poor health. In fact, during 1853 alone the disease claimed the lives of 10,738 people. Then in 1858, the city experienced what is now known as the ‘Great Stink’. The clue really is in the name here but thanks to an incredibly hot summer and an already failing waste system London and the River Thames became engulfed in the smell of waste.

Finally, the government realised that something was wrong and created a new fully-connected subterranean sewage system for the city. The raw sewage was transported outside of the city's boundaries and released into the river and man-made pits where it could not contaminate people's drinking water. The success of London's system quickly caught on and soon every major city in Europe had a unified sewage system.

Modern-day

Nowadays, of course, sewage systems are incredibly advanced and keep us safe from the dangers of human waste. In fact, there are a whole host of expert sewage repair companies that can fix your drainage when something goes wrong.

If you need a drainage company or drain clearance then make sure you contact us today. We have many years of experience in the industry and can certainly help with all of your drainage issues.

Extreme weather is common in winter and if you want to ensure your drain clearance remains high, you may need to do some drainage prep.

What Type of Extreme Weather Can You Expect?

The type of extreme weather you can expect will depend on your location and the season, but most people find that flooding and cold are the two biggest issues for their drains. You’ll find that both can cause serious problems in your drains and if you don’t prepare ahead of time, you’ll be calling in drainage contractors to fix some pretty big problems.

Extreme weather can cause damage to your entire property. However, depending on your location, you could expect heat waves and winter storms or thunderstorms. All of these can be dangerous and you should protect yourself and your family first, then your home.

How to Prepare Your Drains

It’s possible to prepare your drains on your own, but you’ll find it far faster and more efficient to hire a drainage expert. They can quickly identify problem spots and then work to prevent them from being problems by taking preventative measures.

If you’re going to handle everything on your own, you need to make sure you know where to look. Here are the steps to take:

Clear the Gutters

This is one of the first things you should do. You can clear off the roof if possible, as well. A power washer makes short work of this task, but then you will need to clean the gutters. This will help you eliminate the risk of overflows and flooding from that particular sector. Be sure to clean the entire length of the gutter and the drainpipe.

Examine the Foundation

Look at your home’s foundation and ensure that there are no dips near it. The land should slope away from the house so that any water coming down will run away from the house. If there are any spots that are lower near the foundation, be sure to shore them up a little. Flooding can quickly erode the soil and cause water to leak into your basement. This is very frustrating and can cause extensive water damage.

Over time, if the problem is not resolved, cracks may appear in the foundation and can become rather precarious. You may wish to install a sump pump in the basement. This will pump away any water that gets into the basement.

Clean Your Drains

Any drains that pull water away from your home, such as in the driveway or sidewalk, should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid rubbish from building up. All it takes is a little debris and the drain will not let the water through. Within minutes, you could have a small pond in your driveway unless you clear the drain.

It’s best to remove any leaves or debris before they block the drain, but if you find that the drain has become blocked during a storm, you can still clear it. Use a rake to lift the debris away from the grate and it should allow the water to drain.

Ideally, you’ll clear these drains on a regular basis.

Check for Tree Roots

Inspect the area around your drainage pipes. If you don’t currently have a drainage map for your system, you’ll want to do that as soon as possible. The drainage map will let you know exactly where sewer lines run. You should check for trees in the area and test that their roots have not made it to the drainage pipes.

If you end up doing drainage mapping, you can request a CCTV survey, which will check for roots on the inside of the tunnels. This should give you an idea of whether or not you need to take steps. Any tree roots that have not crept into the sewer pipe can be removed or trimmed to prevent damage.

When to Call in Drainage Contractors

Should you handle everything yourself or should you call in the drainage experts? This depends.

A drain expert knows exactly where the problem issues will be. They can go directly to them to prevent problems at a later date. This is efficient and ensures that everything is taken care of, whether or not you have the time to handle things. However, it does cost more money than doing it all yourself. The real question is whether or not it is worth the peace of mind of having someone else do all that hard work.

Doing everything yourself is lower cost, but you may miss something that could cause damage to the house later on. It can be frustrating to try and anticipate everything the storms could bring.

Common Drainage Problems with Extreme Weather

There are several issues that you may face with extreme weather. For example, it’s quite common for a storm to bring in far too much debris and water. The rain may pour down far faster than anticipated and this can overwhelm your drainage system. It rapidly causes flooding and this can result in mould and unpleasant dampness in the house.

Flood waters tend to pick up a range of contaminants. The water will be full of sand and debris, of course, but could also pick up sewage, raw waste, and chemicals. All of these toxins can cause you to become quite ill if you are exposed to it. Pets and animals can also become ill from contaminated water and it may even contaminate the ground water.

Interior flooding is another issue that can be caused by rapidly rising water, cracks in the foundation and even issues with the gutters. All of this results in water damage, with damp in the walls, mould growth and mildew. You’ll need to eliminate the water as quickly as possible and dehumidify the space. This can take some time and will usually require the use of a sump pump. If you have this set up ahead of time, the pump can kick in if there is any flooding. You won’t need to worry about water standing in the basement if you have a pump.

Another form of extreme weather is cold. This is something that you also need to prepare for, as it can result in burst pipes and frozen lines. You want to avoid this, so you’ll need to have drainage consultants come in. Place insulation around exposed pipes, but having the experts explain what to do can also be very helpful.

How to Find the Best Drainage Companies

Trying to find good drain clearing services? Here’s what to look for in a drain expert. You’ll want to find someone who has:

Experience - They should know exactly what to look for and where to find the potential problem spots. The drainage company will have multiple people who have dealt with storms like this.

Equipment - It’s essential to have the right equipment. A gutter can take hours to clear out by hand, but with the right tools, it can be done rapidly. Not only do you want to finish early up so you are ahead of the storm and any flooding, but it’s also best to get the job done rapidly and efficiently. This ensures everything will be done.

Pricing - Of course, you will need someone within your budget, so get quotes. The drainage companies should provide you with the quote and you can then compare multiples to determine which is the best choice. Remember that there are multiple factors, though, not just what price is offered.

Efficiency - How well does the company work? You want drain experts who are quick workers and who don’t waste time fussing around or getting distracted.

Customer service - It’s always better when a company has good customer service, so you may want to test them out ahead of time. If there is an emergency, you’ll already know who to call.

Reputation - Do the drainage consultants have a good reputation? Are other people happy to work with them? Reviews can tell you a lot about drain cleaning services and drainage contractors, so check the company’s listings and find out if they’re appreciated.

Once you’ve found the right drainage company, you can use them for all your drainage needs. If you’re in the market for someone to help you out with your extreme weather and drainage problems, the Drainage Consultants are here to help.

Contact us now to learn how we can make extreme weather much easier for you. We offer drainage problem solutions and sewer repair, as well as drainage mapping. Let us help you.

If your sewer lines are badly damaged, they may need replacing. You’ll want to hire sewer connection contractors who can handle the sewer line installation with ease to ensure the process is as quick and painless as possible.

What Damages a Sewer Line Connection?

There are several things that can cause issues for the sewer lines, but certain problems can result in bigger problems that could end up meaning replacement pipes. These might include:

• Tree Roots: This is one of the more common reasons sewer pipes get damaged. The tree root seeks out water and nutrients, which are abundant in the sewage.
• Foreign Objects: Flushing the wrong things down the toilet can result in serious blockages. These may build up to the point where it’s impossible for the sewage to pass.
• Extreme Temperatures: Unfortunately, with world temperatures changing drastically, it’s possible that extreme heat or cold could cause sewage pipes to rupture.
• Corrosion: Steel and cast iron pipes may be galvanized, but they can still be corroded from calcium and magnesium. This can create weak points that may crack and leak.

When to Call the Sewer Connection Contractors

If you’ve tried the usual home remedy methods of unplugging your drains and are still dealing with problems, it’s time to call in the professionals. They can check the sewer line connection and determine if there is a bigger problem to deal with. For most of these companies, CCTV drain surveys are a quick way to determine what is going on in the drains. In some cases, they may be able to eliminate the problem without invasive measures.

Once it’s been determined that there are some serious problems going on with the sewer lines, you may need to have a new pipe installed. This can be quite the process.

Sewer Line Installation

First, the problem will be diagnosed and then the experts will need to come up with a proper plan. Usually, they don’t need to remove the entire pipe, though this may be necessary. If there is a damaged section, it may be possible to simply pull up the damaged bit and then attach a new pipe there.

The sewer connections will need to be examined for any damage and to determine how badly damaged it is. If there’s minor damage, it may be possible to simply add a pipe lining to keep it functional for some time. However, it may still be necessary to replace the pipe if the damage is extensive.

The simplest way to determine what is needed is to talk to the sewer connection contractors. They can let you know exactly what needs to be done.

Reliable Sewer Connection Contractors in Greater Manchester

Need some help with your sewer lines? Contact Drainage Consultants today to learn more about how we can help you. We have experts ready to take a look at your drainage system and determine if it is in working order or not.

A drain survey or drain inspection is a good idea if you are considering buying a new property. Not only will this determine what condition the drainage pipes are in, it will also ensure that you know where the drains go. A drain map can be quite useful.

What is a Drainage Survey?

Essentially, a drainage survey is an inspection of the drainage pipes to ensure they are clear and work well. The survey will look for any type of damage that may need to be repaired. If you can find these problems spots early, it’s usually easier to repair them now than later when they are much worse.

How a Drain Survey is Carried Out

The drain survey is usually done with a CCTV camera, which is sent into the drain pipes to see what is happening. During this process, you can also have drain mapping done, which will determine where the drains lead and how much is under the building.

The surveyor will look out for:

• Blockages, partial or complete
• Structural collapse
• Cracks or leaks
• Roots coming into the pipes
• Any other issues

Once the problem areas are pointed out, the surveyor can offer solutions. They will provide advice such as where to lay new pipes, how to clear out the blockages and possibly pipe relining. Any of these can be handled by the drain inspection company.

When to Do a Drain Survey

You should be sure to do a drain inspection if you are moving into a new home. This will ensure there are no surprises once you get settled into the new place. It also provides a drain map if you have issues in the future.

In addition, you may want to get a drain survey done if you notice any of the following:

• Slow draining. If sinks or bathtubs are draining slowly or not at all, you need to take a look into the drain system. This is particularly true if there are multiple drains affected, since this indicates something further down in the system is affecting it.
• Bad smells. Are there unpleasant odours around your drains? This could be an indication of worse problems and is worth a closer look.
• Water damage. If there’s water damage in your home, due to drains backing up, this is a big problem. You’ll definitely need some help to get your drains cleared out. A survey can help determine the best way to clear the blockage and will show whether or not you need to replace your pipes.

Drain Survey Specialists in Greater Manchester

If there is serious damage done to the pipe, there are several options for fixing them. The survey company can help you decide on the best way to handle the situation. If you need a drain survey and are wondering about drain mapping costs, contact Drainage Consultants today to learn more.

A drain camera is a rather effective method of determining what a blockage is caused by. Sometimes drain blockages are too far into the pipes to be easily diagnosed. Rather than having to dig up the pipes to find the problem, a drain company can use drain CCTV to find the problem. This allows them to sort the issue out rapidly.

Here are some of the main benefits of CCTV drain surveys:

Accurately Diagnose the Problem

The camera makes it very simple to see exactly what is going on in the drain pipes. The drainage expert can visually confirm the actual issue, rather than guessing based on the evidence outside the drain. The drain expert can then determine what the best solution is. Should they use a chemical cleaner or is it something that will require more invasive measures?

More Cost Efficient

It can be costly to pull up drainage pipes if you’re not sure where the problem is or exactly what it is. This not only takes up much more time, but it also means replacing the pipes and dirt after the initial diagnosis. The drain camera quickly pinpoints where the problem is and it’s usually less expensive than digging everything up first. Once you have the necessary information, you can just take up the section that needs to be replaced, or manage the repairs from inside the pipe.

Rapid Analysis

The drain camera is fairly quick to use and can find blockages rapidly. It’s far faster than trying to guess, based on where the drains are blocked and where the sounds of water lead. Instead, the camera gives a clear picture of what is going on in the pipes and makes it much faster to diagnose and then resolve.

Minimally Invasive

The drain camera goes into the drainage pipes, so there’s no need to dig up a large section of the garden. It’s a simple way of checking the location of the issue so your drainage expert can manage the repairs.

Ideal for Mapping Systems

A CCTV survey may also be done with a drain camera if you are new to a home and want to know where the pipes go. This survey will show you exactly where each pipe goes and comes from, making it easier if there’s an issue in the future. This can help you create a drainage map that will show exactly how your drainage system works.

Reliable Drain Surveys in Greater Manchester

Any drainage company worth hiring will have a CCTV drain camera that can be used to diagnose problems. You’ll find that this is the simplest method of finding and treating more complex drainage problems. It’s worth finding a company that provides the service. Are you in need of a CCTV drain survey? Drainage Consultants can help. Schedule your drain survey with us today.

Often, when your home requires a drain clearance, you can often handle it yourself. However, unfortunately there are times when you’ll run into clogs that simply aren’t possible to dislodge yourself. This is when you need to call in the drainage consultants.

Drainage companies have the equipment necessary to handle difficult blockages and they can see into the drains. Thanks to cameras and specialised equipment, they are able to scout out the worst blockages that a homeowner simply can’t get to.

If you’ve already tried a few things to get the drain unclogged, you’re likely thinking it’s time to start working on some bigger ideas. Maybe you should buy that extra strong drain cleaner or get a snake. However, it’s far simpler to eliminate a blockage if you know what it is, so it’s helpful to bring in the drain cleaning services if you notice any of the following:

Multiple Drains Are Slow

This can indicate a blockage in the main pipes, which are often beyond the fixing abilities of the average homeowner. If a tree root has grown into the system or there’s a collapse in the pipes, then you’re going to need the professionals to handle it.

You Have Standing Water

If there’s standing water in a sink or bathtub, you know that a slow drain has been left too long. At this point, if you cannot remove the liquid from the sink, it can cause serious pressure on the drainage pipes. Over time, this could result in the pipes cracking or leaking, so it’s in your best interest to resolve the situation rapidly. Unfortunately, once it has reached this point, you have little choice but to bring in the professionals.

Unpleasant Odours Fill the Drain Area

You may notice that the smells surrounding the drain can be quite strong. They may smell like sewage, musty old water or other foul things. You’ll want to eliminate the problem as soon as possible. Remember that there are quite a few traps and vents in the drainage system to prevent odours, so the smell reaching you is almost always a very bad sign.

Should You Contact Drainage Companies?

If you need extra help for drain clearance, it’s best to call them in as soon as possible. You can try quite a few options to clear the drains yourself, but the longer you leave it, the worse the situation will become. Call in the professionals as soon as possible to eliminate the problem.

In cases where there is a severe blockage, you’ll find that the more advanced equipment brought in can handle far more dire blockages. A tree root, collapse, or massive ball of hair or grease can be managed with this specialised equipment, allowing you to enjoy free drains again.

Do you require the assistance of reliable drainage consultants? Contact us today if you suspect your drains need some extra help.

For architects, building developers and engineers working on new building or redevelopment projects, sewers and drains are key elements to consider.

CCTV drain surveys are useful tools that can help examine the location and condition of drainage systems.

Here’s why CCTV drain surveys are an essential part of the building and redevelopment process.

Why do building planners need to be mindful of sewers and drains?

Sewers and drains are often found near private properties or located underneath buildings. Therefore if you’re planning a new building project, it’s important to find out if your work will be affecting any of the surrounding sewer or drainage systems.

This is because building works may impact the surrounding sewers in multiple ways, such as potentially causing damage, blocking access to the sewers for future maintenance, and other problems.

What do CCTV drain surveys do?

CCTV drain surveys allow property owners, architects, and builders to understand the location and condition of drainage systems.

Typically, the inspection of drains requires excavation work, meaning that an engineer would have to carry out the surveys manually by getting into the pipes. CCTV drain surveys eliminate the need for this.

Drain surveys help identify where an existing sewer system is located and where the access points are. Special CCTV drain inspection cameras are inserted into the drains and provide a live feed, enabling the engineers carrying out the survey to see the state of the drains and identify any issues. It’s a good idea to carry out drain surveys if you suspect drain blockages or damage to the pipework. It’s also sensible to plan a survey if you’re buying an old property to ensure there are no existing problems with the drainage system.

An additional bonus is that rather than taking an entire drain apart, using a drain inspection camera is much more convenient and environmentally friendly.

At Drainage Consultants, we provide expert CCTV drain surveys to identify and solve problems in your drainage systems. Our surveys are performed by members of our experienced drain team and carried out using high tech drain inspection cameras to identify and diagnose the issue, which we’ll then solve safely and efficiently with our expert knowledge..

If you’re working on a new building or redevelopment project and need help with drainage systems, Drainage Consultants are here for you. Our specialist service is popular with engineers, architects and surveyors and ranges from inspections and detailed plans to solutions and stabilisation. We specialise in all aspects of drainage work, from drain inspection to sewage repair. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.

As the winter months approach, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about the best ways to take care of your home and business this season. As well as causing problems to water supply pipes, the colder weather can wreak havoc on our pipes and drainage systems - any faults can prove costly and unpleasant and could render taps and other systems unusable.

Here’s what you need to do to avoid drainage problems this winter.

Get your drains inspected

The autumn and winter months can result in your drainage systems becoming clogged with leaves, branches and other debris. This can cause blockage and even backup onto your property - which often warrants a costly removal. To prevent this, it’s wise to contact a professional to inspect your drain lines and ensure they are in good operating condition. 

Be mindful of the risks of snow and ice

Melting ice can cause substantial problems to drainage systems. When snow and ice melt, the drains that leave our home struggle to cope with the increased amount of water. This water, combined with the extra pressure the pipes are put under, can cause significant damage to our sewer network. Melted snow and ice can further exacerbate the strain which the pipes are under in any systems that aren’t functioning properly. This can cause cracks in the pipes and also increases blockages, as leftover autumn leaves block the passage of the melt water. The freezing water can even enter the pipes and stop the flow of waste water completely. When this happens, the expansion caused by the frozen ice can burst drainage pipes and can severely damage the drain. This makes it essential to keep tabs on your pipes this Christmas. 

Look into pipe insulation

Pipes can end up freezing when exposed to extreme temperatures, which increases the risk of water outage and can even cause pipes to burst. The best way to tackle this issue is to insulate the pipes that are most susceptible to this. Applying insulating foam around your pipes will protect them throughout the winter months.

Make sure leaks and drips are fixed

It’s important to get your leaks and drips fixed during the colder season. Not only can these issues waste water but they can also leave you exposed to further problems.

Thaw your pipes the right way

When dealing with frozen pipes, it’s essential you thaw them correctly. While it’s tempting to pour boiling water down the drain, this can make the problem worse and lead to your pipes bursting. Instead, use a warm towel to ensure the process is carried out gradually to avoid a quick reaction.

If you’re concerned about experiencing drainage problems this winter, Drainage Consultants are here to help. We specialise in all aspects of drainage work, from drain inspection to sewage repair. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.

Fatbergs have existed since the formation of the first sewage systems created by mankind - but over the past few decades, they’ve been increasingly talked about.

Here’s everything you need to know about fatbergs - from why they’re harmful to what we can do to prevent them from forming.

What is a fatberg?

A fatberg is a solid mass found in underground sewer pipes formed by buildup of fats, oils, and greases, combined with non-biodegradable materials (FOG), such as wet wipes and sanitary products. The term ‘fatberg’ is derived from the word ‘iceberg’ and came into circulation in 2008. 

How big are they?

Fatbergs can reach 800 feet long, stand 6 feet tall, and weigh as much as four humpback whales. Other fatbergs in the UK have been as big as aeroplanes and double-decker buses. One fatberg found in the sewers under Liverpool, dubbed the Monster, weighed as much as 13 elephants.

What do they contain?

Condoms, tampons, dental floss, syringes, drugs, and wet wipes are just some of the things you might expect to find in a fatberg. Wet wipes are perhaps the most prolific contributor to the formation of fatbergs, as they’re often flushed down the toilet despite their tendency to cause drainage blockages. 

We can deduce interesting information from the contents of fatbergs - such as the concentration of drugs in certain regions.

How can they cause problems to our sewage systems?

Fatbergs create blockages in the sewer network and prevent the flow of dirty wastewater or sewage to our treatment works. Fatbergs can cause sewer flooding in the streets, homes and gardens and pollution to the local environment. This is because with no way to get through the fatberg, the waste in the sewer backs up into your home and the surrounding environment, including waterways and wetlands.

Most fatbergs must be removed by hand since they are as hard as concrete. A special water jet is used to break the fatberg up into smaller pieces and then those pieces are removed from the pipe by manual excavation and powerful vacuum tanker units. Removing them can also be dangerous, as they often contain sharp objects like needles.

What can we do to prevent them from forming?

To fight fatbergs, we need to prevent them from forming in the first place. This means disposing of waste correctly - make sure toiletry products such as wet wipes, cotton wool pads and ear buds are put in the bin instead of flushing them. Additionally, try to avoid pouring cooking oils, fats or grease down the kitchen sink. After cooking, allow it to cool and scrape into the bin.

If you’re experiencing drainage problems, Drainage Consultants are here to help. We specialise in all aspects of drainage work, from drain inspection to sewage repair. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.

Although drainage blockage can often occur through no fault of your own, a large proportion of draining system damage is a result of human activity.

Here’s 10 things you should avoid putting down your drains.

Hair

While it’s inevitable that hair will end up down the drain, particularly through showers and bathroom sinks, we should aim to reduce an excess amount of this. Similarly to other stringy material like dental floss, it’s a common contributor to clogs and can knot up, combine with other substances like soap and grease, and attach itself to parts of the drain.

Food waste

Primarily affecting kitchen sinks, food waste can clog up your pipes. Tea leaves and coffee grounds are especially harmful because they don’t break down.

Oil, grease and fat

Oil, grease, and fat can be detrimental to drain systems. Not only do these substances stick to the inside of pipes, but they will also solidify when chilled, eventually causing blockages and contributing to fatbergs.

Wipes and nappies

Wipes and nappies are items you should never flush. The bulkiness of these materials means they can cause clogs and blockages. In fact, wipes that claim to be ‘flushable’ can pose more of a risk to drain blockages since they encourage a misconception that these are safe to flush. A 2017 investigation into UK sewer blockages actually found that wet wipes accounted for 93% of the material causing blockages.

Sanitary products

Flushing tampons and sanitary towels is also equally harmful to drainage systems. Tampons are particularly problematic as they can grow to 10 times their size once they have absorbed fluid. It’s also worth noting that unlike paper, feminine products and cotton swabs don't break down or dissolve.

Objects accidentally flushed

Small objects that get accidentally flushed can cause potential drainage problems. From dropped toothbrushes to children’s toys, foreign objects are far from healthy for your drainage systems.

Plants and leaves

Plants can easily clog up external drains, while in autumn it’s common for leaves to enter drains and cause problems.

Tissues

Due to their perceived similarity to toilet paper, many people falsely assume it’s acceptable to flush tissues made by brands like Kleenex. However, tissues can clog your drains and toilets when flushed down in bunches.

Condoms

Condoms should never be flushed - as well as contributing to the growing issue of fatbergs, this also poses an environmental problem. Flushed condoms will end up in the ocean where they present a threat to marine life. It’s also estimated that it would take roughly 30 years for the latex to break down in the ocean.

Too much toilet paper

Even an excess of toilet paper can have a negative effect on your drainage systems. When flushed in large amounts or clumps, toilet paper has a hard time breaking down in your toilet bowl and drain.

If you’re experiencing drainage problems, Drainage Consultants are here to help. We specialise in all aspects of drainage work, from drain inspection to sewage repair. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.

The recent, concerning increases in the cost of living have put a huge strain on everyone’s finances, with the living wage failing to keep up. According to the Bank of England, the sharp spikes in energy bills, which are projected to be three times higher than they were a year ago, will drive inflation (the rate at which prices rise) even higher. Needless to say, the new cost of living just isn’t feasible for many across the UK, with thousands of households sadly being forced to choose between hot water and electricity this winter. 

Although having to skimp on utilities isn’t ideal, there are some small yet effective ways to cut corners that will ultimately help you save on your energy bills. Water in particular can be saved in abundance, and you probably aren’t even aware of how much of it you are wasting - in fact, in the UK the average person produces around 150 litres of wastewater every day. Whilst this might seem like a complex problem, it can actually be relatively simple to fix with a little planning and, if necessary, the assistance of a licensed professional. If you want to learn more about how to save money on your water bills, keep reading to discover our top tips. 

1) Make Sure Taps are Completely Turned Off

It might seem like a small, insignificant point, but a single dripping tap can actually waste up to 5,500 litres of water a year - that’s enough to fill a paddling pool every week for the whole summer! As you can imagine, this can quickly rack up your water bills over time. If your taps continue to drip or leak after they’ve been fully turned off, you should investigate and contact a drain maintenance company to get them repaired as soon as possible.

2) Identify and Fix Hidden Issues

Hidden leaks can be a big nuisance that gradually contributes to your water bills. For instance, a continuously leaking toilet can waste between 200-400 litres of water a day (around 2.5-5 bathtubs) which, if left untreated, could add a massive £300 a year to your water bill. Alongside leaks, you should also be vigilant about keeping an eye on any other issues within your drainage and plumbing systems. If caution isn’t taken, these could escalate into major problems that may require substantial repairs. One of the best ways to ensure that there are no underlying issues developing in your drainage system is to arrange for a CCTV drain survey to be conducted by a specialist drainage company.

3) Avoid Drain Blockages

Blocked drains are another big inconvenience that takes up a lot of time and money. It’s advisable to try and avoid blocked drains altogether, which can be achieved by not putting the wrong sorts of items down them and performing routine maintenance. Be sure to read up on what not to put down your drains to prevent disaster.

4) Get Stuck In

Picking up some basic DIY skills can be hugely beneficial when it comes to performing household maintenance on a budget. For example, a simple drain blockage can often be solved by using a few everyday items. You can also look into learning how to conduct basic maintenance on your plumbing systems, such as the boiler. This could save you large sums of money in the long run by avoiding expensive plumber callouts, and will help keep your home in working order moving forward. However, make sure to never go into plumbing work blind - always do your research beforehand and, if in doubt, contact a professional. 

5) Considerations for New Plumbing

When getting a new plumbing system installed in your home, there are a few important factors to consider. Firstly, the layout: all pipes and plumbing systems should be configured in a way that makes maintenance easier to perform, whilst also preventing any unnecessary wear and tear. You should also think about the material - plastic pipes make for a cost-effective option. As always, make sure that your new pipes are fitted by a reliable professional, as failing to could result in bigger issues down the line. 

6) Lower Your Boiler Temperature

A temperature reduction of just 5°C for your boiler could save you around 5% on your energy bills. As a whole, it doesn’t make much of a difference to the temperature of your water, so it’s a great way to save a little cash. 

7) Understand DIY Unblocking

Although DIY drain unblocking is relatively straightforward, it’s important to use the right products. It is recommended that you start with the basics, such as baking soda and vinegar, before progressing onto stronger chemicals. Using the wrong substances could result in lubricating any blockages, making them more difficult to remove in future. Additionally, some particularly strong chemicals can generate heat and damage pipes, sometimes even melting them. 

8) Be Efficient When Washing Clothes

It’s no secret that when it comes to washing clothes, a lot of money can instantly be saved by selecting a slightly lower temperature on your machine. This generally doesn’t affect the end result, as a majority of modern laundry detergents and conditioners are designed to function well at low temperatures. It’s also a good idea to try and wash as much as possible in a single load. Tumble dryers are notoriously expensive to run, so make use of outdoor clotheslines or indoor drying racks where possible, as these cost nothing. However, do bear in mind that drying clothes indoors can make your house interior more humid, and you might need to use a dehumidifier as a result. If you absolutely need to use a tumble dryer, you could invest in some ‘dryer balls’ - which work to increase the efficiency of your machine.