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Rather than having to deal with the stressful aftermath of blocked drains or flooding which can often occur at this time of year, it is always better to anticipate any issues at the outset. By checking your drains you can help to prevent many problems.

The first tip is to consider installing strainers in the plug holes of baths and kitchen sinks as they can prove to be very handy at catching hair and other debris which can cause drain blockages.

Whenever you are left with grease and fat after cooking, make sure you don’t pour it down the drain afterwards. Instead, you should let it cool and then place it in the bin.

Remember that paint, oil and other similar substances are not suitable for drain disposal either.

Always try and remove any blockages while they are less serious as this can save a lot of anguish later on. Using simple DIY techniques can solve minor problems, but don’t take on anything you are not trained to handle.

If in doubt, you should always get in touch with a professional drainage company who has the right technical expertise and equipment to inspect the drains and provide a quote for any work which is required.

If you live in South West England close to Bristol then it is worth getting yourself acquainted by the future works happening in the area. Drainage maintenance work is always necessary to ensure that the water is flowing as it should and that the sewerage system is working effectively.

Bristol Water, the utility company responsible for water in the city of Bristol have revealed that works are planned for Clifton, Yate, Little Badminton, Lockleaze and Monks Park during the months of July through September. For more details on each, please refer to the information below.

Mains renewal works are due to start on Monday 25 July at Brangwyn Grove, Lockleaze, Sundridge Park, Yate and Luckington Road, Monks Park for four weeks, four weeks and five weeks respectively.

Starting Monday 1 August, and lasting for two weeks, are works at Well Lane in Little Badminton.

On August 15, works will begin in Cotman Walk, Lockleaze, lasting for four weeks, while a week later the same will be occurring at Ambra Vale East, Clifton. Also in Clifton, Blackboy Hill and Mornington Road will be affected for one week from September 5.

These works are all part of Bristol Water’s water mains renewal or lining programme, which is on-going. This will improve the security and quality of the water supply. In the meantime, temporary road closures are required, with alternative routes made available.

The latest trenchless technology techniques, such as impact moling, have really changed the way in which drainage contractors operate, as the need for excavating a road or public highway every time maintenance needs to be carried out has now been eliminated. However, there are still occasions on which traditional trench excavation work is the only way around a problem.

When pipes can be repaired or installed without having to disrupt the flow of traffic on a road is always the aim for any drainage contractor, but each situation has to be looked at in terms of what is the most effective for this set of circumstances.

So when pipes are beyond repair, the specialist engineering teams may be left with no choice but to recommend that new water supply pipes, land drains or pumped drainage lines be installed through excavation. A risk assessment will assist in the drain replacement planning process.

Any inconvenience will always be kept to a minimum while this work is being undertaken and you can also be assured that current health and safety regulations are being adhered to. These specialists are trained for working in confined spaces and are used to public highway maintenance works for the public sector.

It is only natural for people to address the issues that affect us in the now, rather than having to think about all the other possibilities in life. When it comes to the home or business, it always seems like situations present themselves without warning. However, with drainage maintenance you can usually see the signs, before anything happens.

So while it is impossible to consider every problem that could occur due to drainage systems, you can certainly do something about it before it becomes very expensive for you and your business. A comprehensive drain maintenance contract will protect your premises from issues relating to your drains.

This well-planned work will be carried out by an experienced drainage contractor who can undertake preventative measures meaning you won’t have to worry about unexpected problems such as flooding due to blockages; if anything does happen outside of their control then you can be sure that reactive maintenance will be carried out right away.

Disruption will be kept to a minimum when you agree on planned maintenance from the drain specialists as it can be arranged for the time and date that suits you best, allowing you to continue running your business operations effectively.

The sewerage system is more than just the water and waste flushed down the toilet as it includes water from the sink and rainwater from footpaths and roads too. This water has been collected from a wide range of sources and contains a variety of waste products.

In order for the sewers to flow as they should, it is crucial that it only contains substances which need to be there. However, many of us are guilty of using sewers to dispose of all kinds of unwanted liquids and solids, either unwittingly or knowingly.

When items not suitable for the sewers build up, this can result in blockages and flooding, while problems may be experienced at the sewage treatment works too.

Therefore, you shouldn’t ever flush plastics, rubber, packaging and other types of rubbish which is non-biodegradable down the toilet. The same can be said for pouring fat and used oil down the sink and into the drains as once the substance hardens it can cause all kinds of obstructions.

Drainage maintenance is often unavoidable, but when it is necessary due to the circumstances above, with just a bit of care and consideration, you could have saved on any expensive repair costs and help to reduce the strain put on the sewerage system.

Whilst the drainage contractor will aim to carry out any repair work or install pipes and drains without having to dig up the road, it is unfortunately not always feasible to use trenchless technology methods. In this case, excavation work would be required to take on the job and complete it successfully.

One thing you can be assured of however is that the drainage maintenance team will do all they can to minimise the disruption caused to the street, public highway or home where they are working. Traditional trench excavation requires specialist engineers to undertake this kind of work, so you should always contact the professionals in the first instance.

These engineers have already been trained to meet all health and safety regulations and are experienced in working in the private as well as public sector. The training involves how to work in confined spaces and the need to be competent in drain replacement and pipe installation.

Risk assessments are conducted before any work is started as a matter of course and in accordance with current legislation.

So if you are in need of drainage engineers to come and inspect the drain to see if it needs to be replaced or repaired, get in touch with the experts today.

Waste management within a home is something that needs to be approached with a responsible attitude. Although it might seem obvious to some people, problems can occur when disposable and personal products are flushed down the toilet.

More than two-thirds of blockages within the sewers are caused by synthetic materials which have been disposed of in this way, so it is no wonder that utility companies and drainage contractors are concerned with this growing issue.

These problems with the sewerage system can lead to waste water flowing in to homes as well as affecting the environment by polluting rivers.

The national ‘Bag It and Bin It’ group was set up to tackle this concern and protect Britain’s coastlines and riverbanks from being littered by sewage-related debris. Blocked pipes and the flooding of properties can also be the result of items disposed of in an inappropriate way.

To get rid of something in the best way it is necessary to consider the type of waste. If in doubt, it is more responsible to bag it and put it in the bin for collection, or even take to the local tip yourself.

This can help to reduce the harmful effects that doing such things like pouring oils, fats and greases down the sink does to the drains and sewers. Otherwise drainage maintenance may prove to be a costly solution.

If you ever find a leak coming from the pipes that deliver your water supply, it is important to turn it off straight away. Burst water pipes are a common problem in households, especially following periods of cold weather and freezing temperatures when things start to improve.

To tackle this issue, the following advice should make it possible for you to protect your property and enable you to get the pipes repaired as quickly as possible.

The first thing you need to do in such a situation is close your stop tap, which can be located below your sink in the kitchen or somewhere in the garage. By turning off your supply of water you can help to restrict any further flooding of your home.

For those with a cold water tank, this can be turned off by going up into the loft or storage cupboard, depending on where it is kept. You should also turn off the electrics.

There are home kits you can buy to provide a temporary solution to a leaking pipe. However, it is always advisable to call in a plumber to sort the problem.

When the issue is drain-related and your home is at risk of flooding, then the drainage maintenance experts should be the ones to call first. They can check out the pipe system for you and remove any blocked drains.

While unforeseen circumstances do happen from time to time which are completely unavoidable, when it comes to sewer blockages, it is often the case that a bit more awareness of what is being put into the toilet and sink could go a long way to reducing the risk of flooding within the home or garden.

By putting large objects or fat and grease down the drain, this can cause blockages in the sewers. In the case of fat, this can result in problems further down the line after it hardens. This, along with the other products which are not suitable for being flushed away in this way, can all contribute to the build-up in the drains and eventually lead to flooding.

These drainage problems can be avoided though basic drain maintenance and watching what is poured down the sink and the toilet. If you have any insoluble materials or plastic, do not get rid of it through the drainage. More than two thirds of all blocked drains are due to disposing of these items in the sewage system. Make sure you put these products into the waste bin instead.

If you ever do find you need the help of the professionals to sort out a drainage problem in your home, then be sure to get in touch right away so the issue does not escalate further.

As you may be aware, blocked pipes are the main cause of flooding inside the home. However, these pipes usually get damaged and clogged because of things homeowners do. Here are some of the main problems which can lead to a blocked pipe and flooding incidents.

As well as rainfall and general wear and tear, pipes can cause flooding due to the fact that many people put inappropriate items down the sink or flush them down the toilet.

This includes washing away things like fat, grease and oils down the drain rather than coming up with a better way of disposal. There are a number of ways you could get rid of these substances. One of these is to pour the liquid into a carton which is to be thrown away anyway, so if it does solidify, it will pose no threat to your pipes.

Parents with babies and small children sometimes put nappies down into the sewers as well. Again, this is another cause of flooding as these items are not meant to be disposed of in this particular way.

If you do put these kinds of things down the drain then it could prove costly in the long run. The build-up could eventually cause flooding and the pipes may need to be replaced by drainage maintenance experts. So think before you get rid of everyday items down the drains.

A leading UK water supply and treatment utility company has provided new parents with some helpful advice on how to prevent blocked pipes in the home.

Yorkshire Water has described how you can look after the drainage system of your property at a time when you are just coming to terms with your new addition to the family.

In order to stay away from having to tackle a flooded bathroom, it is advised that you refrain from flushing unsuitable items down the toilet. This can block the drain and prevent the pipes from flowing as they should.

It is easy to forget that wet wipes, nappies and cotton buds could end up being responsible for flooding incident which are stressful and challenging, especially when you have your baby to think about.

Therefore, it is necessary to dispose of these items correctly so you don’t become one of the thousands of people, whose homes are flooded due to blockages every year, and require a call out by drainage maintenance experts.

As well as the bathroom, potential problems can also occur in the kitchen, with many people taking the easy option and decide to pour grease, oil and fats into the sink. Over time this can build up into a bigger issue for the smooth flow of drainage.