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An extremely competitive sector, the restaurant and pub industries are notoriously hectic. With all manner of issues liable to stem the flow of new customers and diners. Drainage issues are certainly one prominent problem which needs to be addressed, as blockages and other related instances can have far-reaching repercussions. From unsuitable substances being flushed away and discarded, to the formation of hard water and pesky leaks, continue reading to discover some of the most common drainage issues within pubs and restaurants, as well as the steps Drainage Consultants Ltd can take to rectify them.

Unsuitable Flushing

There are many commonly flushed and discarded substances which should never be given the opportunity to enter your restaurant or pub drainage system. Blockages and damage to pipework can occur if baby wipes, cotton buds or a large amount of soap suds accumulate within. Though small amounts of waste food should be fine to trickle down the sink, food types such as pasta, bread and rice can cause havoc, as they expand upon contact with water. When scraping food waste into the sink, go easy on porous carbs, and bin them instead.

Always Avoid Oil

Cooking oil is a big no-no for flushing and draining away as this slippery and thick substance can clog entire systems, leading to frustrating financial implications. Oil sticks to the edges of drain pipes, forming large solid structures over time. This can be borderline impossible to deal with if you don’t consult experts, who will have the equipment and knowhow to rectify problems and carry out an extensive drain inspection. Avoid hassle by always scraping and scrubbing pots and pans before putting them into the sink for washing and drying.

Hard Water

Hard water is a term used to describe water that has a high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium as specific examples. This is often caused by natural sources, including underground rocks and soil,or it can form due to man-made sources. The high mineral content in hard water may cause problems for drains, making them more prone to blockages. Though regular cleaning and inspections of your drain area should reduce the likelihood of hard water related blocks and accumulations, a particularly tricky instance may merit professional attention.

Professional Care

We understand how important it is for your business to be functioning at full-potential, which is why our team of trained professional engineers are available nationwide to rectify intrusive drainage issues. Qualified experts from Drainage Consultants can provide a rapid service - with drain CCTV available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Unique business challenges are rarely simple, but we promise to deliver a thorough and hassle-free drainage service at a competitive price.

Have you found yourself searching for “Drainage Manchester”? Over two decades of experience in the industry makes Drainage Consultants Ltd the local company to rely on. With all of your drainage needs catered for by one reliable team, we offer services for commercial, business and industrial markets, with innovative solutions as well. Contact us today for trustworthy assistance, and don’t hesitate to ask us any questions.

Problems with your drainage systems can be incredibly frustrating, especially in the Winter months when household utilities are typically required more often, or you may be hosting family and friends. In a commercial or industrial sense, the months of November and November are likewise usually busy, requiring minimal disruption and hassle. Chilly conditions and the prospect of snow can further complicate the situation, so continue reading and prepare for common winter drainage issues with the Drainage Consultants Ltd team.

Frozen Pipes And Components

As you would perhaps expect, since metal is a thermal conductor, cold air may freeze the water inside of a pipe. Not only does this make blockages a common occurrence, but since water expands when it freezes, it may even break or burst pipes, leading to costly repairs and an untidy scene. The last thing you want to deal with during the Christmas break is flooding from a burst pipe, or a lack of running water, so consider insulated pipes, pressure release valves and other measures which combat the freeze.

Flooding Due To Melted Snow And Ice

The unpredictability of British weather means that there’s always a chance of snow when the Winter comes around, and though this is of course a fun reminder that Chtistmas is coming, it can play havoc with commercial and domestic drains. When snow and ice melt, the drains connected to our premises can struggle to cope with an increased input of water. Putting extra pressure on pipes and occasionally pooling, entire sewer networks can be affected if cautionary measures are not taken.

Food Waste And Fat Blockage

With festivities sure to include Christmas treats and a mouth-watering roast dinner, you should remain cautious of the excess waste and disposal of used cooking oil. Accumulation of fat within a drainage network is notoriously troublesome, with large formations of thick substance likely to cause a complete blockage.Starchy breads and carbohydrates may also expand and block a drainage network when making contact with water, so large amounts of this waste should always be disposed of in a bin or via conventional means.

Proven Drainage Experts

Throughout the year, we can investigate, diagnose and fix any drain problems, with a particular focus on Merseyside, Cheshire and Manchester. Prominent services include drain rehabilitation, regular drain cleaning, tanker work, pump station hire and technology-driven drain inspection camera investigations. Come rain or shine, Drainage Consultants Ltd will be at your doorstep or business premises, ready to utilise the most effective industry techniques.

Are you searching for a reliable team to fix drainage issues and inconvenient floods during the colder months of the year? While Drainage Consultants Ltd undertake work on domestic properties, industrial environments and commercial projects, our expertise is varied, therefore we can tailor our solutions to your individual needs. Always available to answer questions and act as consultants, contact our local professionals today.

Drainage systems are prone to all manner of problems if not maintained correctly, from flooding and gradual decline to blockages and potential leaks. Surprisingly complex, with multiple components to account for and tech intervention often required, there are sure to be plenty of recurring questions for those unfamiliar with drainage emergencies.

Make the most of your friendly drain emergency specialists by consulting Drainage Consultants Ltd, and continue reading for some of the most prominent queries we face.

What Is Classed As An ‘Emergency’?

A drainage emergency will more than likely lead to problems which cause damage to your domestic, commercial or industrial property, or the plumbing system itself. This includes everything from troublesome leaks which trigger flooding, to issues which drastically slow your business operations and therefore affect you financially. Of course, emergencies are subjective, though anything categorised in this manner will likely require immediate attention (24 hour support perhaps).

How Soon Can My Drain Emergency Be Rectified?

The Drainage Consultants team is made up of experienced and friendly professionals, always willing to travel when required. Frequent availability means that your particular case can be prioritised even if disaster occurs during the middle of the night. Bearing in mind that some emergencies won’t be rectified overnight, we make the most of CCTV solutions, coloured drainage dyes and much more, so your problem can be solved, and clarity restored.

How Likely Is My Drain Emergency To Worsen?

Drain issues stemming from an accumulation of food waste, oil or excess junk can quickly accelerate, leading to further problems and financial repercussions. A blockage can quickly become a burst pipe, and a burst pipe can quickly become a flooded space. In any case, best practice will almost always be to contact professionals as soon as early problems begin to creep in. A drainage emergency won’t simply go away if you leave it, so nip it in the bud quickly.

Why Is My Drain Functioning So Slowly?

There are a lot of reasons why your drain could be functioning slowly, from a build-up of leaves, debris and muck further into the pipe network, to a simple entanglement of hair just below a faucet. Slower drainage will often occur as a result of gaps within the pipe narrowing, meaning water fails to trickle through the system as seamlessly as it once did.

At Drainage Consultants Ltd, our experienced and friendly team will help to diagnose the nature of your various drain issues,with specialist vehicles and utilities to get the job done. Professionals are well-equipped for the task at hand, using the latest technology available. From problematic pooling situations, to the simple of routine blockages, contact our team for your industrial, commercial or domestic needs.

Regardless of whether a leak has occurred due to a waste blockage and subsequent burst pipe, or the cause of such trouble is an issue out of your control, like overgrown roots or poorly planned council work, rectifying such problems quickly and efficiently is in your best interest. Leaks are only liable to worsen, and can often develop into more serious issues, so let Drainage Consultants Ltd handle the specifics, with the latest tech and conventional expertise aplenty.

Drain Inspection

Conventional means of drain inspection are rarely favoured over the less destructive and arguably more desirable methods of leak investigation, which utilise smart machinery, vehicles and remote cameras. Conventional inspection and problem solving would typically involve accessing the pipe network or sewage system by digging or unearthing an area of land near the affected space, managing to access the problem directly but rendering the premises messy, and requiring costly repairs or restoration. As techniques have developed, we increasingly turn towards smart ways of inspecting and rectifying.

CCTV Technology

We consider CCTV surveys to be one of the most effective ways of diagnosing a leak, burst pipe or other issue. Visibility is maximised with clear imaging provided via our comprehensive camera set-ups, which benefit from night vision, thermal imaging and more. Such technology is used on a regular basis by Drainage Consultants Ltd to detect the source of unexpected areas of dampness within the home, unprovoked household flooding and more.

Dye Testing

Dye testing involves the use of liquid dyes and powders, which are dissolved in water. These dyes can seamlessly help you in tracing the direction of water flow, speed of flow, leakage locations and much more. Drain dye testing can be used within any property connected to the mains sewage system, and the dyes in question are even environmentally friendly. Dye testing may be the leak detection method of choice if we believe your leak to be located within an inaccessible area.

Sonar Tracing

Often used alongside CCTV technology as an additional detection method, sonar tracing will transmit electrical pulses to a receiver, pinpointing the drainage network, without needing to dig anything up initially. Drain tracing is especially useful when determining the path of a drain system, which may be inconvenient if the components are concealed underground. Not only is this method fantastic in response to domestic drain clearance issues, but housing developers employ this service to be sure they know where to build without obstruction.

Found yourself Googling ‘drainage Merseyside’? With 20 years of valuable experience, and a proven track record of happy customers and clients, you can call on Drainage Consultants to provide effective services nationwide. Be it a minor blockage or recurring issue with pooling, our team of specialists can be with you quickly, investigating and fixing your problem. For any queries or incident-related queries, we’re just a click or a call away!

Plumbing issues are a homeowner’s nightmare, especially when you are none the wiser to what may be the root cause of your issues.

Because of this, we have put together a helpful guide on the common causes of drain damage in your property, along with how you can identify such causative factors and the solutions to each. Now you will be able to take the necessary steps to combat them, without being blindsided by the repercussions that may occur with the damage you experience.

Tree Roots

The Issue

Believe it or not, the roots of trees and shrubs are actually an incredibly common culprit of drain damage. While they don’t necessarily cause cracks in drainage pipes, they usually catalyse existing cracks into bigger breaks, which is what causes such extensive damage.

Plant roots are attracted to moisture as they are looking for nutrients in any nearby liquid, so when there is a small leak in a drainpipe, nearby roots will grow towards this. From there, they will continue to grow into any small cracks or faulty joints, widening these the further they penetrate and the larger they get - to the point they can even become a taproot with other roots growing from them - resulting in blocked or broken drainage pipes.

Identifying this Cause

There are a number of signs you can identify that suggest tree roots may be the cause of drainage issues in your home.

The first is if your water is draining slower than usual from multiple facilities in your home. If you notice that your kitchen sink, bathtub and possibly even your toilet are taking longer to drain fully, this implies that there isn’t a problem with the drainage in a specific room of your property, but is likely the result of external tree roots causing obstruction to the pipes underground.

Another telltale sign of damage by roots is changes to your garden. If certain areas of your garden appear uncharacteristically greener than other areas or certain trees and plants start growing at a faster rate all of a sudden, this indicates that they are getting substantially more nutrients than the rest of your garden, courtesy of a leaking or broken drainpipe.

Alternatively, if there is an excessive leak, then you may notice particularly muddy, wet or soft patches in your garden, indicating a waterlogged lawn due to the leaked wastewater - this can even lead to sinkholes (with a particularly unpleasant odour).

The Solution

Professional drainage consultants are able to effectively resolve damage caused by tree roots, whether minor or extensive.

When it comes to particularly intrusive root growth, they are able to carry out precision root cutting to address the issue. This is done by expertly using appropriate cutting tools and techniques to remove the roots without causing further damage to the pipes or requiring excavation.

Significant root damage may also be tackled using high-pressure water cutting (also known as drain jetting), which cuts through and clears the blockage.

Smaller scale root issues can be tackled using a drain rod with an attached plunger to loosen and clear the roots causing damage and dislodge the blockage.

Following these methods, a drain lining will be installed into the pipe or a patch repair carried out over the damaged joint, preventing root growth into the pipe reoccurring.

Weather Conditions

The Cause

In the winter months, the colder temperatures that the UK experiences can cause damage to your pipes both inside and outside your home. If your outlet pipes are old or have poor insulation, particularly those that are situated on the outer end of your home, then they are at a higher risk of freezing. This can also occur if your heating is inadequate or your home is empty for a length of time and the water is not in use, left sitting in the pipes.

Frozen water in the pipes can cause small blockages that gradually become larger as free flowing water comes into contact with the frozen block and also freezes. When this happens, the water will also expand as it freezes, which will cause an increase in internal pressure that can lead to burst pipes. Though this may not be noticed initially, once the blockage has been cleared and water is flowing freely again, it is at that point that you will notice a leak occurring (either small or large).

Identifying this Cause

Frozen pipe damage can be hard to detect if your pipes aren’t visibly frosty (or aren’t visible at all in the case of your sewer pipes!), especially when the damage is to your outside pipes. However, there are some signs that may indicate frozen pipes.

If you notice that your water does not drain as freely as usual nor flows as smoothly as it should or doesn’t flow at all, and are currently experiencing a colder climate, then it may be worth checking if you have frozen pipes.

Another possible indicator is when you experience sewage smells in or around your home, which may suggest that your sewer pipes have burst and are leaking due to poor installation or insulation that has led to freezing within them.

The Solution

The best thing to do when it comes to frozen pipes is to carry out preventative measures to avoid them occurring in the first place. This may be as simple as turning your heating on often during the colder months, even if it is just set to as low as 12° (especially if your house will be unoccupied for any period of time), and ensuring that you run your water regularly.

You should also take action to insulate any pipes in your house that are particularly subject to colder temperatures, such as pipes in your loft and drainage pipes on the outside wall of your property.

In the event that you do suffer from frozen water in your pipes, assuming they haven’t burst, then there are ways you can resolve this yourself. Applying gentle, gradual heat is key to thawing frozen pipes; this can be done by wrapping them in towels soaked in hot water, or setting up a portable heater nearby to warm them up.

However, calling a professional is still the best plan of action to guarantee that a frozen pipe is correctly identified and fixed. They will be able to learn the underlying cause, for example if your sewer pipe is not installed at a sufficient depth, and will be able to address such issues.

They will also be able to carry out thorough leak detection using their expertise and tools where you would be unable to do so, being able to then carry out the necessary repairs for you before the damage gets worse.

Human Error: Blockages

The Issue

We all may be guilty of flushing a wet wipe or pouring fat down the drain at some point in our lives, but, whether intentional or not, human error such as these is often a major factor to blame when it comes to drain damage.

In the kitchen, grease, food waste, oily and/or sticky substances and even soap can cause clogs in your drain overtime when they have been poured down the sink. As for the bathroom, hair and toiletry products can do the same, or if any items other than toilet roll are flushed (i.e. wet wipes, sanitary products, or any other miscellaneous item that has mysteriously ended up in there - courtesy of a small child more often than not), then these will build up and create a blockage that generates increased stress on your sewer pipes.

Clogs and blockages in your drainage pipes will not only result in less efficient drainage of your water and waste water, but the more the build up, the more likely your drain or sewer pipes will crack under the excess strain. On top of that, a buildup of waste water and sewage is not healthy for you to be exposed to.

Identifying this Cause

Clogs in your drainage pipes and sewer system are usually easier problems to discern. Here are some signs that you have a blockage somewhere:

• Your toilet fails to flush easily or at all, or fills up with water when you try flushing or turn on the sink taps

• You notice waste water coming out of one of your fixtures (e.g. if it starts filling into your bathtub)

• Water drains slowly after you run it

• A foul odour can be smelt around any plumbing fixtures

The Solution

The first thing to do when you notice a blocked sewer is to turn your water off and call a drainage specialist. This will reduce the chance that waste water will enter your home or cause (potentially further) damage to your pipes whilst you wait for a professional to come and fix this issue - they are typically available to carry out emergency services, so you should be able to have it resolved relatively quickly.

Experts will have the necessary equipment and training to perform adequate drain cleansing without causing further damage to your pipes. Should the case be that your sewer pipes have undergone extensive damage, they may need to be replaced entirely, involving some major excavation and plumbing work.

Of course, it is important to actively avoid putting the previously mentioned substances and materials down your sink or toilet where you can, in order to prevent such damage in the first place.

Domestic and Commercial Drainage Consultants

Drainage Consultants Ltd are drainage specialists, offering high-quality services to both domestic and commercial clients in the Greater Manchester area.

Whether you require drain surveys, drain repair or emergency drain clearance, email us today at enquiries@drainageconsultantsltd.co.uk or call us on 08000 645 111 with your drainage concerns. We will be happy to arrange a consultation with one of our expert engineers for you.

You might know that it's important to maintain your drains, but how often should you pay attention to drain maintenance? Keeping your drains clean and sometimes having them inspected is necessary to keep them functioning properly. Even if you take the right steps to prevent problems with your drains, you can find that you end up dealing with problems. The right maintenance schedule can differ depending on your drains, how you use your drainage system and other factors.

Understanding when and how to maintain your drains will help you to ensure you prevent any problems. You can keep your drains healthy with the right care and attention.

Experiencing Problems with Your Drains

There are several factors that affect how often you need to check your drains. Businesses will often need to check their drains more frequently compared to people in their homes, for example. One indication that you should definitely have a professional check your drains is if you notice any problems. Maybe a sink isn't draining as quickly as it should, you notice an unpleasant odour, or you can see a buildup of dirt. You might also spot a leak that will require a drain repair service.

These problems might make themselves known during daily use. However, you can also make sure you spot them by inspecting your drains regularly. This could be something you do on a yearly, quarterly, or even monthly basis, depending on your circumstances. If you think there's a problem, you can then have a professional drain survey carried out to check the condition of your drains.

How Frequently to Clean Drains

Regular cleaning is also important if you want to maintain your drains. But how often should you clean your drains, and how should you do it? If you use commercial drain cleaners to clean your drains, it's recommended that you don't use them too often. These caustic products can damage your drainage system if you use them too much. You can also use solutions like pouring hot water down the drain or using a plunger to clear blockages.

The question of exactly how often to clean your drains doesn't really have a clear answer. Some drains may need to be cleaned more often than others, so it's important to pay attention to how your drains are functioning. If they regularly get blocked, you might need to clean them more often. On the other hand, it could also be a sign that you need to be more careful about what you put down your drains.

Get Regular Inspections

A professional drain inspection is a must if you're experiencing problems with your drains. You can also arrange for preventative inspections, which can help to spot any issues and clean out your drains before you really notice the effects.

Drainage Consultants Limited can help you with your drain inspection and maintenance needs. Contact us about our drain maintenance services for a free consultation to find out more about how we can help you at home or in your business. Call now at 0800 065 4111.

The days are getting colder and winter will soon be settling in. Many people ignore their gardens throughout the winter months and leave things alone. However, when summer comes back around it is a big job to sort out. You can do some things to help keep your garden in good condition in winter too.

Dealing with waterlogged lawns

When it rains too much, the soil reaches a saturation threshold when it can no longer absorb any more water and becomes waterlogged. When you walk on a lawn that has been saturated with water, the ground will feel "squelchy" under your feet, and puddles may occasionally appear. It's as easy as it seems to do this.

When water accumulates and cannot drain away, the soil becomes waterlogged, which in turn causes many problems for the grass. If you have a waterlogged lawn and need to get it sorted one of the best things you can do is contact a drainage consultant and specialist as they will be able to effectively and efficiently deal with the issue.

Plant your winter crops

A lot of people have looked into and started to grow their food over the summer. A firm favourite is to plant strawberry plants, it's easy and you always get some fruit. But as winter draws in many people abandon their green thumb and don’t grow anything until the following summer. But you can do gardening and planting in the winter. You can plant crops all year round. You just need to look into it a bit and find out what to plant during the autumn and winter and how to care for them.

Utilise lots of mulch

Using mulch as fertiliser is an excellent way to encourage crop development. By assisting in controlling soil temperature, mulch helps to keep plant roots cool and wet. It is especially important to do this in the winter when the arid and windy conditions could cause your plants to wither. Your garden will be protected by mulch from the corrosive effects of wind and rain. Mulch also slows down soil erosion.

Winter irrigation

Even though many plants are dormant in the winter and it may seem unnecessary to water gardens, there are several benefits to doing so. When it's cold and dry outside, especially on windy days, evergreen trees and shrubs lose a lot of water. These plants require additional irrigation at least once a month in the winter if rainfall is insufficient to maintain wet soils. Winter irrigation is beneficial for even dormant plants. Even while the canopy is inactive, several plants continue to actively establish roots.

Do your winter cleaning

It's crucial to ensure your garden is disease-free as winter approaches. The best approach to accomplish this is to remove all plant waste. Remove any items that can endanger the health of your gardens, such as dead plants and stale produce. To make sure there are no residual diseases, remember to clean any support structures in your gardens, such as bean stakes or trellises. If you combine water and bleach, it will work to keep it clean.

Work With Drainage Consultants

Drainage Consultants Ltd can help keep your garden in good condition by helping maintain the quality of your drains. Call today on 0800 065 4111.

It's not always easy to know if you have problems with your drains, sewer, or plumbing. Some signs might be pretty obvious. It's hard to miss a burst pipe or flooding, but you won't always realise that these are signs that you have a problem with your drains. You need to be able to spot some of the indications that there is an issue and connect it with potential drain problems.

Fortunately, many of the signs that you might need to carry out a drain survey and repair are simple to understand and look out for. If you want to stay on top of drain maintenance, look out for these symptoms.

Slow Draining

A slow-draining drain is often one of the first signs of a drain problem that people spot. It's hard to ignore because it's so annoying when a sink, bath, or any other drain inside or outside won't drain properly. If water isn't going down the drain as quickly as you think it should, there could be a blockage of some kind. That blockage could be food, grease, hair, or even tree roots that have gotten into the drains. There are DIY solutions you can try, but it's often best to use a drain service to take care of it for you.

Poor Flow or Pressure

A lacklustre flow from a tap, shower or other water outlet can be frustrating. There are multiple possible causes for this issue, but one cause could be a possible blockage or damage to a drain pipe. If you experience a slow flow or low water pressure, it could be due to your drains. Getting an inspection will ensure you can identify the problem and stop it from getting worse by repairing what's broken.

Flooding

It's hard to miss a flood, but nevertheless, it's still a potential sign of problems with your drains. Flooding drains can lead to further problems, including bad smells and damage to your property. It's important to take care of it quickly so that you can repair whatever the problem might be.

Another place to watch out for flooding is on your lawn if you have one. You might also notice plants growing near the sewer line where there weren't any before. This could mean your drains aren't working properly and you need a sewer maintenance service to fix the issue for you.

Bad Smells and Strange Sounds

Bad odours can arise from blocked drains, flooding, and other drain problems. They can sometimes be the first indication that something is wrong because other signs of drain problems might not be visible. If you notice a bad smell, you might be able to sniff it out to a drain so you can identify the problem.

Another way to use your senses is to listen out for unusual sounds. If you can hear gurgling, it could be caused by air that's got into the pipes. Don't ignore these weird sounds, which could be a sign of a bigger issue.

Contact Drainage Consultants Limited to enquire about drain inspection and repair services if you notice any of these signs. Call now on 0800 065 4111.

When you're having trouble with blocked drains, your first thought might be to figure out how to clear them yourself. After all, why call someone in to do it if you could do it cheaper and quicker with a DIY method? But, although clearing a drain yourself can work, it's also important to be aware of the potential drawbacks of taking the DIY route. At-home drain cleaning options, including store-bought cleaners and homemade solutions, can have both pros and cons.

Before you use them, you should know whether they're going to help or hinder if your aim is to keep your drains healthy.

Store-Bought Drain Cleaning Solutions

When your drain is blocked, one of the easiest things to do is go to the shops and pick up an unblocking product. These most often come as a liquid, gel, or foam, and can also be bought as a powder or similar solid products. Some people use them to help maintain their drains too.

These types of drain cleaners definitely have some positives. They work quickly and they're convenient, plus they're fairly affordable. They can work well on some types of clogs, such as hair and food buildup in your drains. However, there are also downsides to these cleaners. The major disadvantage is that they could damage your pipes, especially if you use them too often. They're often not very eco-friendly, and they don't work on all types of drain clogs, either. So, while they can be a useful solution, they're not always the best choice.

Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar

You will often see bicarbonate of soda and vinegar recommended as a more "natural" option for drain clearance. This trick helps to break up clogs to clear drains thanks to how the two substances react when mixed together. After leaving the solution to sit for a while, you can simply pour hot water down your drain to wash it away. Like store-bought cleaners, they can be effective and it's inexpensive. However, it might not always work, and some people have got similar results simply by using hot water and mild detergent.

Boiling Water

Sometimes, pouring some hot water down your drain can be a quick solution to a clogged drain. Boiling some water in your kettle will get it hotter than your hot tap. It can be useful to clear a small blockage or a slow-draining sink. However, you might find that it's simply not enough and you need a more heavy-duty solution.

DIY with Tools

You can consider using tools like a plunger or a drain snake to try and clear your drain too. These can clear a blockage without using any chemical solutions, which could prevent damage to your pipes. But there's also a possibility of causing damage if you don't really know what you're doing.

Call Professionals For Drainage Clearance

It's often better to get in touch with drainage consultants if you want to clear a drain safely and effectively. Drainage companies know how to assess the situation and find the right solution. Cal Drainage Consultants Ltd today on 0800 065 4111 if you need help.

Drainage issues can strike at any time, whether you’re the owner of a large domestic property, or you oversee business premises which require functional drainage systems for everyday functionality. Thankfully, development within this area has ensured that problems can be rectified and prevented quickly, with reliable companies able to utilise the latest technology and innovative processes to resume full functionality. Whether the area of concern is drain repair, mapping, investigation or drain tracing, advanced systems and equipment will see normal service recommencing in no time.

Let the trustworthy professionals at Drainage Consultants Ltd take you through the various ways in which tech is used to maintain drainage systems in 2022.

Developments In Drain Maintenance

Whereas typically the upkeep and maintenance of domestic and commercial drains would be a trial and error process of manual work and the use of basic equipment, developments over the last few decades have accelerated such tasks, with advanced machinery and smart solutions able to diagnose and eliminate both common and specialist drain issues. Sonar and CCTV are used by the very best specialists, while high-power jets, vacuums and pneumatics are ideal for a number of drainage problems.

Ultimately the recent developments have meant that less time is required to rectify troublesome blockages and obstructions, allowing clients to focus on their daily activities or business operations. The areas covered by our vehicle fleet and technical experts includes Northern England, the South West and even Wales through to Scotland. Don’t miss out and contact us at a convenient time for consultations.

CCTV Drain Surveys

CCTV Drain Surveys are often a requirement laid out by mortgage companies and banks for property purchases, meaning this particular technology option from Drainage Consultants could save you thousands of pounds. Fully insured and able to offer the peace of mind you need, our experts will first utilise precise sonar drain tracing, to pinpoint the location of any defects. This process will also identify future issues before they can worsen and become unavoidable.

Sophisticated cameras can survey bore pipes ranging from 50mm to 900 diameters depending on individual client needs, preventing the need for pricey large-scale investigations as our cameras carry out a thorough review. Engineers will supply a comprehensive report and DVD showing the condition of your surveyed drain, a personal plan of action including costing, and schematic plan of the drainage system. Any defects identified by the CCTV drain survey are highlighted and recommendations to repair are proposed at your convenience.

Drain Mapping

With the assistance of professional Drain Mapping technology, you can update proposed changes to property, ensuring that any future construction work isn’t going to damage the drainage infrastructure. Accidental damages often require costly drain repairs, so by mapping out the area, you can save on expenses. When planning a project, it’s essential that you’re aware of the condition of drains, with accurate inspections for domestic as well as commercial customers.

Any construction or refurbishment project that involves building over existing drain networks will require accurate information in advance of work commencing, so we use state-of-the-art CCTV technology to survey drains, for proven accuracy. This is both cost effective and highly reliable. From the information we gather, you can benefit from an accurate, comprehensive survey of the drainage system, including schematics and survey sheets.

Sonar Tracing

Sonar Tracing is a tech-reliant process which involves electrical pulses being transmitted by specialist equipment. These actions involved in tracing will allow our team to discover exactly what is going on underground, leading to the very root of the issue. Various features of drain networks can be identified by this method, including concealed manholes and collapsed pipes among more complex issues.

Often used in conjunction with the previously mentioned CCTV cameras, sonar is employed when we are engaged in diagnostic activity. By using highly accurate equipment, we can get a very thorough view of what is going on below the ground. This approach is particularly useful in delicate situations where a clumsy move could cause further problems, and at Drainage Consultants Ltd we’ve upheld a reputation for carefully selecting processes relevant to client issues.

Dye Testing

Though not strictly involving technology of any kind, Dye Testing is a brilliant innovation which can give you a visual indication of issues and occurrences within the drainage network. Systems may demand dye testing for a range of reasons, many of which stem from the fact that the underground location can make them tricky to investigate. If a drainage structure is complicated, then it might not be obvious where it drains to, compounded by out-of-date information on the structure, or unclear guidance.

Dye testing with a specially engineered fluid often proves effective, with the fluids used by Drainage Consultants neither staining or toxic. The real effectiveness of dye testing is that dyes of various colours can be used to determine selected information, and whether the dyes in question come in the form of powders or tablets, this will have no significant impact on the outcome. For basements and cellars which are prone to absorbing water, dye testing may be the best solution.

Treatment Plants

A comprehensive Treatment Plant is capable of processing waste to a higher standard than many septic tank installations, making this solution a worthwhile choice. There are a number of regulations in place to ensure that our mobile treatment plant vehicles are safe, with each member of our fleet complying with regulations set out by the Environment Agency. When installing a treatment plant, trained professionals will ensure that laws are followed strictly and guidelines are met.

Effluence is typically clear, and can be offloaded into a ditch or other watercourse, and as these plants usually have few moving parts on the inside, maintenance needs are minimal. Rely on our advice throughout the set-up and application of this smart maintenance method, with plants which don’t emit odours available, built between 7 and 10 metres away from the affected location.

Trenchless Technology

Though you may think all is lost if pipes appear beyond repair, our technically-proficient team may be able to make full repairs without the need for even excavating. This also applies to the installation of new pipes such as water supply pipes, pumped drainage lines and land drains among overs, resulting in a fuss-free and less destructive process.

The title of ‘Trenchless Technology’ encompasses Impact Moling - a popular process in which the hammering action of a pneumatic piercing tool is used to create a bore in the soil, rather than completely removing it. When properly employed, impact moling is the simplest and least expensive trenchless technology installation method, ensuring minimal disruption for the client and client’s property in comparison with traditional trenching techniques

Drainage Consultants Ltd: Commercial And Domestic Drain Repair Services

The team at Drainage Consultants are enthusiastic about helping our customers and clients, providing reliable drainage services to commercial and industrial stakeholders around the country. Those we work with include construction firms, property management organisations, housing associations, supermarket chains and much more. We will always endeavour to be with you and investigating your drainage situation within 3 hours of your call, able to complete a full assessment and tailored recommendations. We're very reasonably priced too, with bespoke quotes relevant to your context.

Whether your drainage needs are related to an unexpected leak, clogged pipes and drains or tree roots, we will use our combined knowledge to assist you in a timely manner. Carefully selected and comprehensively trained, our NRSWA and Confined Space accredited engineers make us a reliable choice. Still unsure? We always replace and maintain pipework in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations as well as Local Authorities Regulations. To see what we can do for you, call our specialist team for an initial assessment. Contact us online and we will reply within 24 hours for an initial consultation with a fully accredited engineer.

If you own a pub, restaurant or cafe, you’ll know how important it is to keep everything functioning in order to ensure your business stays afloat. A burst pipe, grease fire or even staff illness can bring your business to a grinding halt, potentially stopping your business from bringing in any money for days or even weeks.

To prevent issues from causing a closure for your hospitality business, it’s a good idea to stay on top of maintenance for your property and be aware of what could lead to a problem. While not all problems can be avoided, there are a few things you can do to prevent disaster in your pub, restaurant or cafe.

Here’s what to do to prevent blocked drains or other drainage problems.

Why should you be aware of drainage problems?

Drain problems can leave you with a hefty bill as well as potential closure until the problem is fixed. Food and beverage outlets such as pubs and restaurants are particularly at risk of experiencing these issues because of high numbers of visiting customers and dealing with fat, grease and oil.

Not only could drain problems leave you with a loss in profits but they can also leave you with damage to your reputation or PR problems, meaning your company will suffer in the long term. You’ll also need to consider the potential health hazard that drainage problems can cause in your establishment and this could cause a closure until it is safe to reopen. There’s also the risk of problems going deeper in the surrounding drainage system and affecting adjoining properties - which could leave you liable.

As a restaurant manager, public house landlord or cafe owner, what can you do to prevent any problems within your building’s drainage system?

How to avoid drainage problems

To learn more about the ways you can protect your business, keep on reading.

Properly dispose of cooking oil and food waste

Restaurants and pubs, in particular, must deal with a lot of cooking oil, fats and grease - a big culprit in drainage problems. Fat from meat, oils and other food waste goes down the drain as a liquid but eventually cools and solidifies which can potentially cause blockages. Cooking oil should never go down the drain instead, it should be collected by a collection service which is much more environmentally friendly and ensures you are compliant. If you don’t already get your cooking oil collected by a reliable company, this is something you should look into.

Train your staff

While you may know how to prevent drainage problems yourself, most of the people who look after the day-to-day running of your premises are your staff. Even if you have a small or large team, they are the ones that will be on the restaurant floor or in the kitchen, more than the manager or owner. This is why it’s vital that you effectively train and teach your staff the correct ways to dispose of cooking oil and food waste. Make sure you properly train your staff when they first join the team, as part of an induction, as well as with regularly updated training sessions. Team members need to know to clean plates of leftover food before putting them in the dishwasher, rinsing them and putting the food in the bin. This will avoid any drainage issues caused by food waste.

Be aware of toilet blockages

When so many people are coming in and out of your business every day, there will be many people using the toilets. While it’s not practical for staff to be checking them every hour, this may lead to blockages. All sorts of things can be flushed down toilets and it can be difficult to get them fixed. Furthermore, toilets are vital for food and drink establishments, so it’s important to keep them functioning. Some guests may feel like they can treat your toilets however they like, so you should do what you can to prevent any issues.

Provide bin disposal

All public toilets should have a bin for customers to dispose of items that shouldn’t be flushed. If you don’t provide a bin you’re just asking for them to flush items that can lead to blockages. This is important in both male and female toilets as customers may want to dispose of baby wipes, gum, receipts, sanitary products and nappies. Make sure the bin is clearly labelled and visible so there is no confusion. They should also be emptied regularly as nobody wants to see an overflowing bin.

Inspect regularly

If a customer goes into an establishment's toilet and sees a blocked toilet or an unclean cubicle they will instantly be put off their food and may not want to return to your business. Not only is it a health and safety concern, but you also want to provide your customers with the best possible experience. Make a rota and tracking sheet so that your staff can perform regular inspections of the toilets whenever they have time. It’s also a good idea to keep your toilets clean because then future guests are more likely to respect them.

Call a drainage company if you have any problems

As soon as you run into any issues with your drains, it’s best to call a professional as soon as possible. They will be able to fix the problem before any further damage is caused, saving you money and ensuring your business can stay open. Many drainage companies can provide 24/7 emergency call-outs, so even if you notice your drains are blocked at 2 am on a Sunday morning, they should be able to get someone out as soon as possible to sort the issue and prevent you from closing on the busiest day of the week.

Get a CCTV drain survey

Perhaps you are taking over a new business, or you haven't had any maintenance done on your drains for several years. The best thing to do in this instance is to get a drain CCTV survey. If there is anything not right with your drains, a CCTV survey will get to the bottom of it. Experts will use high-tech drain inspection cameras to identify and diagnose the issue and then begin to fix the problem at hand. This can save you a lot of money as a preventative measure and avoid any major problems in your pipes.

How Drainage Consultants Can Help Pubs & Restaurants

At Drainage Consultants, we’ve been working in the industry for many years, so we know the ins and outs of drains and pipes and any problems that may occur. By offering a vast range of services, we're sure we can solve any problem and keep your business functioning 24/7. We currently serve over 2,000 pubs and restaurants as customers, so we know exactly what it takes to deal with challenging drainage problems. We’re Manchester’s expert drainage company of choice for many pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, airports and a whole range of commercial clients. Whether you need a drain CCTV survey, drain mapping or fat removal and cleansing - we’re the ones to call.

We understand that time is money - if a drainage problem occurs in this industry it has to be sorted straight away. Our maintenance services will prevent and predict drainage issues before they even occur. We operate a 24/7 emergency team so that any problem can be solved no matter what time of day it is. To learn more about our commercial or domestic services, get in touch with our team at Drainage Consultants. We work hard to keep businesses going and we want to make sure every client is fully satisfied with our work. Call us today on 0800 654 111 for a free consultation.

Are your drains running slow? There are a number of vital signs to be aware of when it comes to drain clearance, including bad smells, slow drainage and blockages, below, we provide a useful list of key signs you require drawing cleaning specialists.

Slow Drainage

A worrying sign; slow drainage shouldn’t be ignored. Yes, it can be a temporary blockage, but over-time, hair, grease, soap and other waste will begin to build-up, ultimately creating serious blockages in your drainage system. Should you notice your drains are unusually slow, it’s best to have your drains checked by the specialists at Drainage Consultants Ltd, to identify the severity of the issue and prevent major headaches in the future.

Strange Odours

As waste begins to build-up in your drains, creating blockages, you’ll likely begin to smell unpleasant odours emanating from your drains and plumbing fixtures across your property. Bad smells can be a serious cause for concern, potentially as a result of sewer gases inside your drains and therefore should be assessed by a drainage clearance specialist at the earliest opportunity.

Clogs & Blockages

Consistent clogs in your toilet or shower drain shouldn’t be ignored; after all, if this is a regular occurrence, it’s unlikely to be a coincidence and more likely to be a consequence of clogged up drains. If this is the case, have your drains inspected immediately, small clogs will lead to potentially major ones, or even multiple fixtures being clogged at the same time!

Should you find that you have multiple blockages inside your home, this is typically a sign of a much larger issue, such as a mains sewer clog. Don’t try to tackle this yourself, get in tough with the experts at Drainage Consultants Ltd as soon as you can.

Unusual Sounds

It’s worth noting that most drains will make some kind of noise once water has fully drained, much like the rumbling sound you’re used to hearing at the end of a bath, but if your drains are making consistently strange, loud and worrying gurgling sounds, you may have a serious blockage in your system. Carrying out checks at home by flushing your toilet or emptying a sink and listening for the sound of water struggling to make its way through your drain; this could be a sign of a blockage.

Looking for drain cleaning specialists? At Drainage Consultants Ltd, our cameras are ideally suited for pipes both above and below ground, offering you quick results with minimal disruption. Based in Greater Manchester, our drainage specialists offer a 24-hour service to customers up and down the country, ensuring that homes and businesses are safe from drainage problems.. Contact us today.

Think you might need tree root removal services? Tree root causing blockages in your drainage system can be serious, potentially leading to damaged pipes and serious blockages in your bathtub, toilet and sinks. Below, we outline key signs to be aware of, should you be concerned of tree roots manifesting inside your drainage system.

Slow Drainage

If tree roots have reached your water pipes, over time it will begin to have an impact on the speed and consistency of your drainage. Initially, this won’t cause too many problems, but as the tree roots grow and spread, they will eventually grow to a size that causes a significant blockage in your system. If left untreated, this will cause severe issues, and may in some cases, cause damage to your pipes.

Check your sinks, bathtub and/or shower tray for signs of a blocked pipe, if the water drainage is unusually slow, take note, (this may of course be a one off, so best to keep a written record), and then call a specialist as soon as possible.

Strange Noises

Although most drains will make some kind of noise once the water is fully drained, much like at the end of a bath, strange, loud of particularly troublesome gurgling noises emanating from your drains when you flush the toilet, run water or empty a sink, can be a sign of a serious blockage. A gurgling noise such as this is typically the sound of water struggling to make its way through your drainpipes, highlighting the chance of a blockage which may be caused by tree roots inside your drainage system.

Blockages

As an extension of the above points; check your toilets regularly for blockages. If this becomes a regular occurrence, you should contact a drainage specialist at your earliest opportunity. Tree roots inside your pipes have a particularly negative impact on your toilet drain, as they can quickly attach to toilet paper and other particles that typically worsen the blockage at pace.

Bad Smells

Not a particularly appreciated symptom at the best of times; bad smells coming from your drains may be a result of tree roots causing blockages in your sewer lines, which, as a result, will cause very unpleasant smells.

Low Pressure

A noticeable drop in your water pressure is a serious concern, and may often be a result of a fairly atypical blockage within your system. However, sudden, unexpected drops in your water pressure at home may also be a result of serious blockage, such as a tree root. In either case, should you find your water pressure is unusually low, have your drainage system checked by one of our experts at Drainage Consultants Ltd.

Looking for tree root cutting and removal services? At Drainage Consultants Ltd, our drainage specialists offer a 24-hour service to customers up and down the country, ensuring that homes and businesses are safe from drainage problems. Whether you require drain clearance or precision root cutting, our drain experts are on call to resolve your issue quickly, efficiently and to the highest possible standard. Contact us today.

Want to learn more about manhole construction? We provide a guide to manholes, providing detailed information on the appropriate depth, different types of material and the key applications.

Depth

When choosing your manhole, first you must decide on what depth you require. Generally, there are three different depths, shallow, normal and deep. Below, we provide a detailed look at manhole depth.

Shallow Manholes

Provided with a light cast iron cover and frame at the top and typically constructed in areas with low traffic or at the beginning of branch sewers, shallow manholes generally range from 0.75m to 0.90m. Often referred to as ‘inspection chambers’, shallow manholes are generally rectangular, with a minimal internal size of 0.9m x 0.8m.

Normal Manholes

Sometimes referred to as a ‘medium manhole’, normal manholes require a depth of more than 0.9m and no more than 2.0m. Typically square or rectangular in shape, normal manholes provide a minimum internal size of 1m x 1m and are usually provided with a thick cover on top.

Deep Manholes

For depths of over 2.0m, deep manholes are required. Primarily circular in shape, deep manholes have a variable diameter depending on the exact depth of your manhole. Below, we outline how different depths should affect your internal diameter:

Depth Of Manhole Internal Diameter

2.0m-2.3m 1.2m

2.3m-9.0m 1.5m

9.0m-14.0m 1.8m

Deep manholes are circular in shape, are uniform in their lower half and slanting in their top half, therefore narrowing the top opening equal to the internal diameter of your manhole cover.

Material

Next, you must decide on the right material for your manhole. Below, we provide a detailed look at materials used for manholes and offer advice on their advantages and applications.

Precast Concrete

The most commonly used material for manholes the world over, precast concrete manholes allow for a fast, efficient and easy installation. Directly manufactured and laid on site, such is the simplicity, precast concrete manholes are the traditional type of construction of the manhole.

Plastic

Manufactured using a a polythene material in such a way that doesn’t harm the environment, plastic manhole covers offer a durable one-piece construction. Essentially, this means that your plastic manhole is manufactured directly with accessories, such as your drain cover and ladder, during construction. Typically requiring less maintenance and offering high resistance to corrosion, plastic manholes won’t cause any negative effects on the soil or groundwater where installed.

Fibreglass

Incredibly lightweight, durable and environmentally friendly, fibreglass manholes are manufactured using, you guessed it, fibreglass technology. Typically consisting of a manhole barrel, cover, weirs, separation units for stormwater and more, fibreglass manholes are strong, smart and easy to install.

Need your manholes and interceptors checked? At Drainage Consultants Ltd, we’re established specialists in our industry who understand that what our clients require will depend on the property under development and the area in which work is being carried out. Based in Greater Manchester, our drainage specialists offer a 24-hour service to customers up and down the country, ensuring that homes and businesses are safe from drainage problems.. Contact us today.

At Drainage Consultants Ltd, we understand it can be difficult to identify issues within your drainage system, which can lead to blockages later down the line. That’s why we provide CCTV drain surveys to quickly and accurately identify and diagnose any potential issues in your drainage system. Here, we provide a helpful guide to cctv drain surveys, identifying the important benefits.

Fast Analysis

A significant advantage of carrying out a CCTV drain survey is the ability to efficiently diagnose an issue with your drainage system through the use of cameras feeding back real-time footage of your drains. Should there be an issue with your drains, from strange noises to bad smells, a CCTV drain survey will diagnose the issue immediately, preventing these issues from becoming more serious, or identifying even more severe problems, such as tree root growth.

Accurate Diagnosis

As an extension of the above point, a CCTV drain survey will provide you with precise real-time footage of your drains, which won’t just provide an efficient analysis, it will also ensure it’s accurate. An accurate diagnosis here is important, allowing for drainage specialists to examine the issue and take the appropriate action. If there is a tree root in your drainage system, for example, it will require more than a simple chemical cleaning solution to flush out.

Cost-Effective

Carrying out repeated preventative or precautionary measures and/oractions on your drainage system in an attempt to diagnose an issue, such as blocked drains or gurgling sounds will inevitably cost you in the long run, especially when compared with the cost of a singular CCTV drain survey. This makes CCTV drain surveys a cost-effective option, such is their speed and accuracy in diagnosing the issue. Yes, it may cost you more in the first instance, but your investment will ultimately be paid back in the long run.

On a similar note, if you’re considering buying a new property, you should greatly consider having your drainage system checked and analysed with a CCTV drain survey before you decide to purchase, as this could save you expensive repairs in the future.

Minimum Disruption

An important advantage of CCTV drain surveys; disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum during works, preventing the need for a full-scale excavation to identify the issue. As the CCTV drain survey provides real-time footage of your drains, we can identify the specific area of the blockage and carry out work on this specific site, carefully, quickly and with minimum disruption.

Looking for a CCTV drain survey? At Drainage Consultants Ltd, our cameras are ideally suited for pipes both above and below ground, offering you quick results with minimal disruption. Based in Greater Manchester, our drainage specialists offer a 24-hour service to customers up and down the country, ensuring that homes and businesses are safe from drainage problems.. Contact us today.

Worried about your drains? Starting to think there might be a blockage? Drain blockages are very common, particularly in the kitchen, and in many cases, this often comes down to one thing; fat. Grease and fat that is poured down your drains will cool, congeal and eventually cause drain blockages that result in overflowing sinks. The good thing is, this can be both easily prevented, and, should you carry out the necessary measures, may also be easily solvable.

In this helpful guide, we provide an extensive look into fat removal and drain clearance, offering vital prevention tips to ensure your drains remain clear in the future, from drain inspection and at-home remedies, all the way up to hiring a professional drainage specialist.

Preventing Fat Build-Up In Your Drains

Before you can even consider the need to clear your drains, it’s important that you implement some prevention methods to help reduce the risk of issues occurring in the first place. Drain blockages can be reduced with simple, effective measures that needn't be expensive or difficult to enforce. Below, we outline some simple ways in which you can reduce the risk of drain blockages, to help reduce the chances of a serious issue coming up in the future.

Know The Cause

A simple, effective method of preventing the build-up of grease and fat in your drains is knowing what causes this to happen in the first place! In truth, when it comes to our kitchen sinks, the majority of this grease, oil and fat is caused by food; from meat to dairy, rice, coffee grounds, vegetables and everything in between, food will always find its way into your sinkhole, no matter how cautious you are! When it comes to food prep, and in particular, draining fat from meats, avoid your sink at all costs and head straight for the bin!

In equal measure, your bathroom drains can quickly become clogged up as a result of soaps and shampoo products, (not to mention hair, but that’s a whole other story!), contributing heavily to a grease-clogged pipe. The majority of soaps are composed of mostly animal or vegetable fats, which have similar qualities to grease and fats from food when under the influence of heat. First, they will melt and wash away, but once cooled, they will quickly congeal and cause serious blockages. This, in conjunction with your food waste, could lead to a severe issue.

Drain inspections and CCTV drain surveys from Drainage Consultants Ltd can help you determine the exact cause of your blockage quickly, helping you to examine whether the issue can be solved with a quick fix, or determine whether there may be a more severe issue at play.

Change Your Habits

Knowing the cause of a drain blockage is one thing, but unless you make vital changes in your own daily habits, your drains may still suffer from these common issues and eventually lead to drainage repair. Now that you understand the cause of drain blockages, it’s important you change your habits accordingly. After all, making simple changes can make a huge difference and how hard can it really be to dispose of your fats and greases into the bin instead of down the kitchen sink?

If you’re feeling really conscious of your drains, you may even invest in soaps and shampoos that are free of animal fats, to alleviate the risk of blocked drains even further but this is a personal choice. Truthfully, the most important thing is to take care of your drains, inspect them regularly and ensure you don't clog them up unnecessarily with excess fat and grease.

How To Clear Your Drains

Even with prevention techniques in place, it’s likely that a time will come when your drains will need to be manually unblocked, either by yourself or by a professional. Below, we provide helpful advice on how best to clear your drains, including easy to make home-remedies, as well as more serious solutions that may be used in commercial settings including drain unblockers or hiring professional help from Drainage Consultants Ltd.

Boiling Water

One of the oldest tricks in the book; hot, boiling water can help break up small blocks of fat that have recently started to build up, causing a noticeable blockage in your drain. Whilst this isn’t the final solution, it is a simple, first-step into analysing the cause and severity of the blockage, determining whether the blockage runs deeper, potentially within the internal pipes of the sink!

Simply pop the kettle on, and once it’s boiled, pour the hot steaming water down your kitchen sinkhole, removing any strainers or plugs before you do so, so as to not undermine your experiment. Repeat the process a handful of times and check to see if the water flow improves.

Caustic Soda

Useful for particularly robust drain blockages, the application of harsh chemicals such as caustic soda prove highly effective in unblocking your drains and can be used for your kitchen sink, your bathroom sink and even outside drains.

Containing sodium hydroxide, caustic soda is commonly used as a cleaning agent and in washing machine sodas thanks to its alkali salt formula which has a highly corrosive nature on both animal and plant tissues. When faced with a touch blockage in your drain that just won't seem to budge, simply apply a few tablespoons of caustic soda to your drain, wait a few minutes and flush it through with boiling water.

If you are unable to locate caustic soda, which can often be hard to find in most local hardware stores, why not try a simple at-home chemical compound of bicarbonate soda, hot water and vinegar? Far less corrosive than a shop-bought alternative, a simple at-home remedy such as will be entirely non-toxic and highly effective.

Drain Cleaners

In severe cases, or when other methods have failed to clear your drain, the next logical step is to use a proven drain cleaner. Available in most supermarkets, homeware or DIY stores, drain cleaners are a highly common and effective way of unblocking your drains, through a combination of various cleaning chemicals that are used to break down tough blockages.

Available in a variety of strengths, drain cleaners can be used to unblock almost any drain, from your kitchen to your bathroom and even your outside drains.

Drain Unblockers

When all else fails, it’s time to bring in some additional hardware! When your drains have become seriously blocked and clogged up with fat, try using a drain unblocker, or “drain rod”, to manually break down the blockage.

Using a drain rod, or drain snake, simply locate the exterior drain cover and slowly insert your rod slowly. This may take some time depending on the location of the blockage, but once you do reach it, apply pressure, remove the rod and test your water flow.

Hiring A Drainage Clearance Specialist

Sometimes, no matter how many at-home remedies or shop-bought drain unblockers we invest our time and money in, the blockage that’s inside your drains just won’t seem to budge. It’s at this stage you may want to consider professional help. By contacting the team at Drainage Consultants Ltd, you’ll be opening yourself up to a world of essential advice, knowledge and solutions you need to unblock your drains successfully.

From the identification of drain blockages using CCTV drain surveys, right up to the application of commercial-grade drain rods to clear even the most stubborn of blockages, we have the tools and skills required to tackle both domestic and commercial drain blockages with precision.

Drainage Consultants - Fat Removal & Drainage Clearance Services

Looking for fat removal and drain clearance services? Whatever the drainage problem, wherever the location and whatever the time, with over 20 years of experience, Drainage Consultants Ltd is a one-stop shop for all your drainage needs. Our drainage specialists offer a 24-hour service to customers up and down the country, ensuring that homes and businesses are safe from drainage problems.

Whether you require drain clearance or sewer repair, our drain experts are on call to resolve your issue quickly, efficiently and to the highest possible standard. Contact us today.

There are many common causes that can lead to bad smells outside your home or business. This guide aims to explain what can ignite a stinky stench outside of your property, so read on to discover more.

Drain Issues

One of the most common causes of a foul odour outside your property is a drain issue. A large number of properties will have at least one drain outside, whether this is located on the pavement or driveway, or even in the grassy area of your home's back garden or in your business's landscaped green space. Having an emergency drain issue that is causing a foul odour always requires the skills of an expert, as you should no doubt seek out the emergency drain clearance services so that you can clear any issues that may be leading to such a bad smell.

A blocked drain can not only create a pungent odour that lingers in the air - it’s also extremely unhygienic and subsequently dangerous for all those located in the surrounding area. This means that clients visiting your business or even your children at home could be at risk if they come close to your troublesome drain. Never leave a drain issue to fester if you notice that a bad smell is emitting from the area, as this is a warning sign that is informing you of a soon-to-be catastrophe if you don’t jump into action!

A flooded drain can lead to much worse problems than a stinky odour, so find an expert drain clearance service to help you unblock and clean up sooner rather than later.

Pooling Water

Stagnant water is another common source of a foul smell outside of your home or business, as you can expect to encounter a terrible smell from a mucky pond heating up under the sun. Pooling water can occur anywhere, from flat roofs that don’t have sufficient slanting or gutter work to gardens that lack good quality drainage to take rain water away.

Minimising the likelihood of pooling water is an effective way to get rid of the nasty stenches that can come with a stagnant pond or moss filled flat roof puddle, so make good drainage one of your main priorities. Seek out expert drain design and installation so that you can maintain ultimate peace of mind that bad odours from pooling water can be a thing of the past, as this way you can ensure that any excess rainfall during bad weather can simply travel away from your property instead.

Make sure that your gutters lead to a well drained location too, as you won’t want masses of water flowing into one spot that simply can’t manage the volume during intense rain.

These two common causes of bad smells outside your home and business can be solved by our expert drain engineers, so you’ll be able to rest assured knowing that your property can stay as fresh scented and ultra clean as can be.

Don’t hesitate to get in contact with our professional team to see what we can do for your home or business today.

When you are experiencing problems with the drains at your home or business, it can have a much larger impact than you could ever imagine. Working drains are an essential feature of any occupied home or business, so it’s vital that you can get to the root of the issue so that you can then get back to your normal day-to-day life and responsibilities.

Fortunately this guide explains exactly how you can identify a problem with your drains in the most efficient and effective manner, helping you to then locate the most appropriate solution in no time at all! So, read on to discover more in this informative guide.

Here’s our guide to identifying a problem with your drains.

Stop Using Your Drains

It’s a good idea to stop using your drains before you try to diagnose the problem. Switching off any taps and making sure that no one is going to flush the toilet will allow you to look at and listen to your drains without interruption, so it’s best to avoid using your drains altogether when you are trying to identify what is actually wrong with them. If you’re in the workplace then hang up a sign on the bathroom to stop people going inside, and if you’re at home just make sure your family knows your plans so they can avoid using any type of drainage until you have finished.

Contact An Expert

Once you stop using your drains, it’s time to find a good drain expert. It’s going to be really tough for you to try and diagnose your drainage problem yourself if you don’t have any experience in the world of drains, so you must contact an expert if you want to stand any chance of understanding what is actually going on in your drains. A reputable drainage expert has their own specialist equipment and machinery that they can make the most of to get to know what’s up with your drains, including CCTV drain surveying, dye testing and even sonar drain tracking. This means they’ll no doubt figure out what’s happening with your drains and subsequently be able to match you up with the most appropriate solution, so always get in touch with an expert like us to discover more.

Always Let The Expert Work

When you get an expert out to find the root of the problem, you need to let them work to fix it without interrupting them or interfering in any way. Even if you are simply trying to help, it’s still best to keep out of the way for your own safety as a result of the hygiene related dangers of an upset drain system.

Trust in their abilities and allow them to utilise their many skills and years of experience to fix your drain and help them return to full working order!

Figuring out how to identify a problem with your drains doesn’t have to be a tricky task. Stop using them and contact an expert, as they can diagnose and fix any problem in record time when left to focus on the task.

Get in touch with the experts here at Drainage Consultants Ltd to explore our drain diagnostics services.

There can come a time at your home or business when you need to perform testing on your drain system. Using the right testing option is always important, so it’s a good idea to get to know your options when it comes to drainage testing. Check below to find out what drain testing services you can expect to find, along with a brief explanation to help you decide on the best match for your drain needs!

CCTV Drain Survey

A CCTV drain survey uses good quality cameras to visually assess your drains so that a drain expert can identify what might be wrong with your drains. CCTV drain surveys offer a timely and cost effective drain mapping service detailing the extent of pipework, diagnosing and detecting issues, and they allow for the most accurate assessments of conditions in areas where access would generally be problematic. CCTV surveys can also provide you with the assurance that your drainage systems are providing the chemical recapture and pollution control needed, offering total peace of mind after your drain testing.

Dye Testing

Another option is dye testing. Drainage systems may benefit from dye testing for a number of reasons, aside from the obvious fact that underground drains are tricky to investigate using other methods. It’s fair to say that if a drainage structure is complicated, then it might not be obvious where it drains to especially if plans of the system are out-of-date or unclear. Dye testing with a fluid, which is neither staining or toxic, can be a handy solution that works around all of these issues to test your drain appropriately!

Drain Mapping

Drain mapping is an essential aspect of the detective (testing) work that needs to be done before a building project can go ahead. Any construction or refurbishment project that involves building over existing drain or sewer pipes will require accurate information in advance of work commencing, and that is where drain mapping comes in.

Drain mapping utilises schematic plans, survey sheets and CCTV drainage survey footage to test the ground thoroughly. Such testing can help to avoid the costly price tag of drain repair if you end up hitting a pipe that you didn’t know was there.

Sonar Drain Tracing

Sonar drain tracing sends electrical pulses through specialist equipment, allowing a drain expert to get to the bottom of what is going on underground. Various features of drain networks can be identified by this method, including the likes of concealed manholes and collapsed pipes, so it’s an extremely useful and worthwhile technology that can be beneficial in many different situations. By using such highly accurate equipment, you can get the most detailed view of what is going on below the surface, making the approach particularly useful in delicate situations where a clumsy move could lead to further issues.

As you can see, there are many ways to test your drain! Here at Drainage Consultants Ltd, we offer a variety of drain testing services to put your mind at ease, so let us help you test your drain today.

Get in touch with our team to arrange a consultation and discuss your requirements.

When it comes to your home or commercial property, there are certain aspects that are easier to understand than others and one of the more intricate parts of a building is its plumbing system. These subsurface networks of drains and pipes are essential for the proper functioning of any property, however, they can be complex to understand without the proper equipment and knowledge.

If in the preparative stages before any sort of building work or refurbishment, it is imperative that a full understanding of the drains and pipes below the surface is gained before work can begin. This is done by conducting a drainage survey and accurately mapping the layout of drains below a building.

Here is Drainage Consultants Ltd’s quick guide to drain mapping.

What Is Drain Mapping?

As the name suggests, drain mapping involves identifying and locating the different elements of a building’s drainage system in order to build a complete understanding of its layout. Drain inspection is a necessary process to be conducted before any construction or renovation works can take place above existing drains.

How Are Drains Mapped?

When it comes to mapping a network of drains, specialised equipment such as a drain camera is used in order to gather visual information from below the surface. By conducting a CCTV drain survey, a detailed and comprehensive map of the drainage system is developed.

Of course, mapping drains is no easy task and it is essential to use the services of trained professionals to ensure accurate and efficient service.

What Is Gained?

Done properly, drain surveys and mapping provide construction workers, architects and planners with detailed information regarding internal and external drains, manholes, water flow and inspection chambers.

With this knowledge, building works can go ahead safely and efficiently without the risk of disrupting or damaging the drainage systems below the site. What’s more, drain mapping allows building work to be planned with existing drainage structures in mind, saving time and money.

Drainage Consultants Ltd: Drain Mapping Experts

If you’re planning construction work above an existing network of drains and require a survey or mapping, look no further than Drainage Consultants Ltd. With decades of experience, we take pride in offering our customers a wide range of services, from drain mapping to domestic repair work.

What’s more, our expert team is always happy to discuss your requirements and schedule a consultation. Don’t hesitate, get in touch with us today/

Call us on 08000 654 111 or send an email to enquiries@drainageconsultantsltd.co.uk.

As far as home maintenance is concerned, there are a number of elements crucial to keeping your property safe, clean and functioning. One of these is, of course, efficient drainage and plumbing. Without a properly functioning drainage system, your home could encounter a number of serious issues that could be a danger to your hygiene and even your home’s structural integrity.

With British weather remaining as unpredictable as ever, even in summer, drains become overwhelmed and, at times, can lead to blockages. While this isn’t always a huge issue, it is essential to rectify the problem before it develops into something more time-consuming and costly.

Here is Drainage Consultants Ltd’s guide to the long-term dangers of blocked drains.

Leakage

Of all the problems that occur due to a blockage, leaks are among the most common. Build-up within drains can lead to a largely reduced water flow which causes an increase in pressure. This, in turn, can put a real strain on your home’s plumbing system, leading to burst pipes and significant leaks.

These problems are more common in older properties, especially if the drainage and plumbing systems have been neglected for several years. What’s more, cracked or leaking pipes can pose serious issues for your home, causing the development of mould, mildew and rot.

Resurgence

In addition to the physical threats to your home such as leaks and pipe cracking, are a number of hygiene issues that may occur. As drains become clogged, they are no longer able to dispose of waste properly which can lead to it sitting in your pipes and even travelling back into your toilets and sinks.

Not only is this incredibly unhygienic, but it can also lead to foul odours and make your home an incredibly unpleasant environment.

Structural Damage

Finally, perhaps the most serious of all the issues that can occur as a result of blocked drains is damage to your property’s structure. This can come as a result of the issues named above, such as leaking and rot, or a burst pipe could cause serious damage to its surroundings. Damage to your home’s structural integrity can be incredibly expensive to repair, so it is best to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Drainage Consultants Ltd

In the event of blockages or other problems in your home or commercial property, it is crucial to employ the services of professionals to identify and rectify the problem efficiently. Here at Drainage Consultants Ltd, we specialise in every aspect of drainage work, using a range of modern technology such as drain inspection cameras and drain CCTV to identify and solve your problems.

If you are experiencing issues with your drains, plumbing or sewer systems, our team is always happy to help. Get in touch with us today for a consultation.

Call us now on 08000 654 111 or send an email to enquiries@drainageconsultantsltd.co.uk.

As with any house or commercial property, the upkeep of drain maintenance and functionality is crucial. Ensuring that drainage systems are working smoothly at all times is important not only for basic hygiene reasons but also for the structural integrity of the building itself.

Of course, problems arise in residential and commercial properties alike and although they may be minor issues, resolving them swiftly is always a good idea. Larger issues may require invasive repair work such as digging out a trench to access a section of the damaged pipe. However, in some circumstances, this isn’t necessary and non-structural repair work may be carried out using alternative methods.

One effective method of non-invasive drain repair work is known as drain lining. This technique allows small cracks and leaks to be fixed without the need to dig up any part of the system.

Here is Drainage Consultants Ltd’s guide to drain lining.

How Does Drain Lining Work?

Essentially, drain lining is a process in which the inside of a pipe is covered with a plastic lining which adheres to the existing pipe, sealing any cracks and reinforcing the structure.

Before the liner is inserted, the drain is cleaned and assessed in order to identify the extent of the damage and be sure that drain lining is a suitable solution. Once any cracking or damage has been identified, the drain liner is slowly fed through the damaged drain.

Once the liner is fully inserted, an airbag is inflated within it, causing it to press firmly against the pipe. The liner then solidifies over time and the airbag is removed from the drain, leaving a tough lining around the inside and sealing and cracks or leaks.

When Is it Necessary?

Drain lining is necessary when a pipe or drainage system has experienced extensive damage or wear at multiple points and is a cost-effective alternative to excavating and replacing a whole pipe.

As a non-invasive method of repair, drain lining is a viable solution in situations where digging up drains is not an option. What’s more, it is usually a relatively inexpensive and swift process, taking around a day to complete including the curing time.

Drain Lining Repair Work

When it comes to drain maintenance and repair work, it is crucial to employ the services of trained professionals with the correct knowledge, equipment and experience to carry out the job.

Here at Drainage Consultants Ltd, we take pride in providing high-quality repair work on both commercial and domestic properties. From drain lining and patch repairs to excavation and replacement, our friendly team are experienced in every aspect of drainage work.

Don’t hesitate, get in touch with us today to arrange a consultation and discuss your requirements.

Call us on 08000 654 111 or send an email to enquiries@drainageconsultantsltd.co.uk

Roots can be a major problem when they grow into your drainage system. If there is the slightest leak in the drain pipes, plants will direct their roots there for water and nutrients. This can result in cracked pipes and blocked drainage systems. But which plants are the worst invaders? Let’s take a closer look.

Willow Trees

These beautiful trees offer lovely playhouses for children and they look amazing. However, their roots can be quite difficult to eliminate and they’ll head straight to your drainage pipes. They can cause some big issues.

Citrus Trees

While citrus isn’t commonly planted in the average garden, you should avoid them altogether unless they’re potted. This is due to the fact that they will tend to grow into your pipes and can ruin your drainage.

Oak Trees

Big, beautiful, and ancient, oak trees can be a beautiful addition to a garden. Unfortunately, they tend to grow supplemental roots that can reach up to 100 metres from the trunk and are likely to take advantage of any cracks in the drainage system.

Holly Shrubs

Holly may be a nice addition to your garden, but keep it away from your plumbing. These plants will reach pretty far if they don’t get the necessary nutrients right by the plant. They’ll get into cracks, as well and can crack open your pipes.

Ivy

Who doesn’t love a beautiful ivy plant growing up a brick wall? While this plant is quite decorative, it can get into a tiny crack in the drainage system and then fill it up, causing a massive blockage. It also grows very quickly, particularly with the right nutrients.

Boxwood Shrubs

If your boxwood hedge gets too close to your drainage system, it may cause extensive damage. The roots can spread rapidly and are good at exploiting weak points in the pipes.

Are you dealing with the blockages that are caused by roots in your drainage system? Drainage Consultants Ltd can help. We’ll remove the roots and fix your drainage system to ensure it stays root free for as long as possible. Contact us for an appointment.

Petrol interceptors prevent oil and petrol from running into the channel drain. While this is a vital task, it does mean that your interceptor can become clogged. This means you will need to regularly maintain it to ensure your system runs properly.

How the Petrol Interceptor Works

You’ll find oil and petrol interceptors anywhere vehicles commonly frequent. Car parks, petrol stations, and construction sites are just a few of the areas where these are needed to prevent runoff water from polluting the surrounding soil and groundwater.

The basic function of the interceptor is to sort out the petrol and the oil. This is done by having all the water runoff from the rain, washing, etc. run through a channel drain. The water goes through the interceptor, which filters the various contaminants into multiple chambers.

Inside each chamber of the interceptor, there is a dip pipe that makes it possible for oil and petrol to move to the surface. There, it’s trapped and the cleaned water can move through the filter. Any fumes are released through an air vent system to prevent vapour build up.

Cleaning the Interceptor

Unfortunately, all the contaminants that have been trapped in the filter eventually clog the system. If not cleaned regularly, the entire design will fail and contaminants can end up in the local environment.

Your petrol interceptor will need to be cleaned on a regular basis, but it’s also important to clear the channel drain. It will have petrol and oil clinging to the surfaces, which must be removed. After this is completed, you can remove the dirt and debris, as well as the oil and petrol from the interceptor tanks.

This process is quite delicate, as you must be sure that none of the contaminants you’re clearing out will end up washing into the soil. As the tanks and dip pipes are flushed, you will need to take great care to avoid polluting the surrounding area.

Depending on the amount of water that runs through the interceptor, you will need to clean it at least once every three to six months. It’s best to use an interceptor maintenance service like the one offered here at Drainage Consultants Ltd to manage this for you, due to the care that must be taken. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Your main sewer line is where everything in your home runs out. If it is clogged, it can result in a serious problem. Not only will you have sewage backing up into the building, but you’ll also have the smell and hazards that come with it.

DIY Methods of Unblocking Drains

Most clogs occur in a toilet or sink drain, rather than the main sewer line. These can usually be dislodged with a plunger. In some cases, you may need a drain cleaner to dissolve the blockage. However, if the blockage is in the main line and is not easily eliminated, you’ll need some outside help.

Regular drains in your home can usually be cleared out with chemicals. If this doesn’t work, you can try a drain snake, which may be twisted into the drain or toilet to help catch on the blockage and either pull it out or make a hole in it. These are commonly used when the blockage is too far into the drainpipe to eliminate with chemicals or a plunger.

You can also try opening the U-pipe under a sink that is blocked to see if you can reach the clog. If none of these methods works, you most likely have a blockage in the main sewer line.

Dealing with Main Pipe Blockages

Unfortunately, the main sewer line is not usually blocked with just debris or hair. It could easily be a line that has collapsed, or it may be that tree roots have gotten into the pipe and are now preventing flow.

You’ll need help to deal with any of these possibilities. A company like Drainage Consultants Ltd can use a hydro jet to blast any simple blockage out of the pipe. This is an easy way to eliminate actual clogs.

The company can also eliminate tree roots or resurface a pipe that is deteriorating or that has collapsed. These scenarios tend to require special equipment, so you have to have a professional come in to deal with it.

Stay on top of any clogs in your drainage so you’ll be aware if there is a main sewer line blockage. This means you can get help rapidly for the issue and prevent more damage from being done.

If you’re facing issues with your sewage system, get in touch with Drainage Consultants Ltd today. We’ll help get your system in excellent working order once again.

For many rural areas, culverts or ditches are the best way to ensure excess water doesn’t collect in one place. These are designed to direct the excess to drainage areas. However, they can become clogged or blocked and may need maintenance. Here are the signs that your culvert needs to be cleaned.

Weeds Are Taking Over

Check the culvert regularly to inspect for plant growth. Since rainwater often brings silt and topsoil running into the ditch, it’s often a prime area for weeds to grow up. They can fill the space rapidly and prevent water from running through properly. You should either take steps to prevent the green growth or prepare to cut it frequently.

The Culvert is Shallower

Does the culvert seem shallower? It may be. It’s a good idea to check this before winter and again in the spring, as the snow melts. Silt, leaves, and other types of debris can add to the base of the culvert, which means it will have less space for water to flow. This can result in the water overflowing onto nearby roads or property.

Rubbish is Building Up

Often, when a ditch runs near a road, particularly a public one, rubbish is tossed into it. Assorted waste may also wash into the space from rainwater and runoff. Either way, this can prevent water from properly draining and you’ll need to deal with it. There are usually grids or filters before any major drainage pipe, to prevent rubbish from washing into it.

Who Cleans Your Culvert?

You can clean your own culvert, but this can take up a lot of time and energy. Due to this, you may want to hire someone who can do it rapidly. A company with a truck will have the equipment necessary to rapidly remove debris, rubbish, silt, and plants from the culvert, leaving it clean and ready to handle all the water that may come through.

Drainage is a big concern in most areas and you should be sure you have proper drainage at all times. The amount of damage done by flooding can be severe, so it is a good idea to hire a company such as Drainage Consultants Ltd to prevent your ditch from becoming blocked. Contact us today to find out more.

Drains are a very fickle system to manage, as it can be hard to diagnose an issue, due to them mostly being underground where a person can’t access them. But with modern technology, we are now able to properly pinpoint the problems in a drain, no matter how far away from human hands and eyes the drain may be.

This is done through drain investigations. But what is a drain investigation and how do they work? Read on for this guide from Drainage Consultants Ltd for everything you need to know about drain investigation.

Why Do I Need A Drain Investigation?

Drain investigations are useful when you suspect there is an issue with your drain, but have no feasible way of finding out where the problem is coming from. You could have hundreds of metres of pipes below your home or property and no obvious way of telling where the issue is. A drain investigation is an easy way to find problems, using cutting edge techniques and equipment that will quickly find any issue and then provide you with a full report with solutions that can work for you.

A great drainage survey will provide you with a wealth of knowledge, including:

• Internal condition and size of the drains
• Hidden connections
• What direction do they run in
• Any defects
• Pipework materials
• A detailed schematic of your system
• Any problems and solutions to solve them

There are a few different types of drain surveys that are used. So here are four of them that are commonly used.

CCTV Drain Survey

A great way to pinpoint an issue in a drainage system is by using a CCTV drain survey. These are carried out using high tech drain inspection cameras. The camera will snake its way through your drain, and a member of the drain team can observe its progress on a camera, keeping a lookout for any potential issues.

It’s a great way to investigate a drain, as it is both convenient and environmentally friendly, able to locate problems without taking the drain apart or performing a more invasive method. It provides access and great views of areas that would be impossible to reach by hand and will allow you to assess the best way to treat any potential problems it comes across.

You will then be provided with a comprehensive report and DVD showing the condition of your drain. If problems have been identified, you may also be provided with guidance and solutions that can be done to your drain to get it back to optimum performance.

Dye Testing

Another method that is utilised in drain investigations is dye testing. Dye testing is often used in complex cases when drainage systems have a lot of offshoots and connections that make it hard for a CCTV drain survey to be carried out quickly. If you don’t already have access to the plans, it may be hard to know exactly what is going on with them. Dye testing can help in this situation.

It utilises a fluid which is neither staining nor toxic, usually coming in powder or tablet form to dye the liquid. The great thing is that the dye can come in different colours to help identify different problem areas. It is used to detect the flow of water through drains and then using these results to find problem areas such as blockages and missed connections.

The dye is introduced to sinks, toilets and drains and then it is observed where the coloured water flows. The drain dye is usually fluorescent and can be seen using ultraviolet light, allowing it to easily be traced, even at night. The dye then disperses naturally over time, leaving no stained water or residue in the system.

Dye testing is great for pinpointing exactly where water is flowing out through drains, especially useful if you have a leak or suspected leak and need to pinpoint the origin. If you have water flowing into your basement or another part of your house, dye testing is a key method for figuring out exactly where that water is coming from, so a solution for the issue can be devised and implemented as quickly as possible.

Drain Mapping

Drain mapping is useful if the original plans for a drainage system have been lost, or you think the existing plans may need updating. This is especially important if you are planning a project, as you’ll need to provide workers with a detailed and accurate map of the nearby drains, so they can either connect new drains or avoid existing ones when building. This must be done accurately so no damage is done to the infrastructure, which will require expensive repair.

Drain mapping is done by combining schematic plans, survey sheets and analysing footage from inside the drains. This produces a detailed plan that includes internal and external drain runs, connections, manholes, inspection chambers and the direction of the water flow.

Drain surveys are especially important in a modern landscape, as buildings are constantly changed and updated, leaving accurate property plans hard to find. Drain mapping is the best way of ensuring plans are up to date for any future construction to go smoothly.

Sonar Drain Tracing

A sophisticated cutting edge method of investigating drains is by using sonar drain tracing. This is where electrical pulses are transmitted through a drainage system by specialised equipment. The results can show exactly what is happening below ground, such as blockages, collapsed pipes or concealed manholes.

Sonar is great as it is highly accurate while also relatively cheap. It doesn't involve the effort of conducting a CCTV drain survey and you don’t have to pollute water sources with powder like in dye tracing. You just use highly accurate equipment to help get an instant and very thorough view of what is going on in the drainage infrastructure. It’s especially useful in difficult situations where a wrong move could cause more harm instead of helping.

The Next Steps

Once a drain investigation has been completed, you will be provided with a survey or plan of your drainage infrastructure. This will include suggestions for any work to be done, including repairs or maintenance. If you are looking for a specific problem, the report should be able to tell you the exact location of this problem.

The best way to keep your drains in great condition is with regular servicing and cleaning. An annual maintenance plan will have somebody come to you every year to assess the condition of your drains, making sure no problems have arisen in the last few months. This way you can deal with problems before they become a lot worse and start to affect the performance of your plumbing.

If you have serious issues, you can hire drain rehabilitation services to help repair or replace your drains. Some can be done without digging your infrastructure up, but more serious cases might require excavation.

All of these next steps begin with detailed drain investigations. So if you have a problem with your drains, read on to find out who can help.

CCTV Drain Surveys & More From Drainage Consultants Ltd

If you’re looking for trusted specialist drainage investigations in Manchester, get in touch today with Drainage Consultants Ltd. We offer a wide range of drainage investigations, including CCTV drain surveys, dye testing, drain mapping and sonar drain tracing. Our team of experts will diagnose which type of investigation is best for your system and then use it to find the issue with your drains.

Once we have found the issue, we have a great selection of drain cleaning and rehabilitation solutions to get your system back to its former glory. This can include localised patch lining, precision roof cutting, emergency drain clearance and full excavations. Our investigations can bore into pipes ranging from 50mm to 900mm depending on your system, allowing us to work on pipes of all sizes.

Our services are available for both domestic and commercial clients, so get in touch today by calling 08000 654 111 for a free consultation. If provided with site plans we can offer a no obligation quote the same day. If you’d like to find out more about the excellent selection of drain investigation, cleaning and rehabilitation work we do, visit our website now.

Drain rehabilitation uses a variety of methods for the maintenance and repair of drainage systems. In some instances, this can use trenchless technology to repair drains non-invasively. There are also situations where deep excavation will be required to repair a drain. This requires careful planning to carry out the repair efficiently, restoring the site after the repair is completed.

Modern trenchless technology has meant that a significant amount of drain rehabilitation can be carried out with minimal disruption. Problems can be accurately identified using CCTV drain surveys which allow the most efficient and effective approach to be taken to fixing the problem.

Read more for some examples of drain rehabilitation work that can be carried out.

Drain Lining

The lining of sewer pipes can become damaged over time. Identifying this problem early can ensure that the lining is fixed before the damage becomes more serious. Where it is possible a ‘no dig’ approach to relining pipes ensures that a drainage system is repaired with minimal disruption.

Localised patch lining takes an efficient approach to identifying the area where there the lining of the drain has been compromised and fixing the problem in that area without requiring extensive excavation.

Non-Structural Gel Sealing

Another effective approach to drain rehabilitation is gel sealing. This technique uses a sealing gel in a compromised area of a drain in order to re-strengthen the material. This approach can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness when compared to excavation. By carrying out an investigation of the issue in the drain it is possible to identify the scope and location of the issue and identify the correct solution.

Excavation and Drain Replacement

In some cases, it is not possible to repair the drains using trenchless technology so it can be necessary to carry out excavation work in order to install new drains and pipes. Where this is necessary, Drainage Consultants is experienced in ensuring that work is carried out in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act of 1991.

Another example where excavation is required is in the installation of a sewer connection. There are a number of methods for installing a sewer connection properly with laws in place to ensure that work is carried out without damaging the sewage system. One example of this is that materials used in a y-piece or oblique junction must be the same as the existing sewage system. It is crucial to contract with an accredited and experienced company when undertaking this work.

Contact Us

Our experienced and professional team can assist with drain rehabilitation either using trenchless technology or where excavation is required to install new drains and pipes. Call Drainage Consultants on 0800 0654 111 or emails us at enquiries@drainageconsultantsltd.co.uk and one of our team will get back to you.