If your drains are backing up, you are experiencing unpleasant odours or your sinks or toilets are making unusual sounds, you could have a problem with your drains. Many problems are easy to repair, but some will require an expert inspection and solution.
Blocked drains
1. Indoors: If your sink or bath is taking longer than usual to drain, water is coming back up through the plug hole, or you are hearing a gurgling noise from the plug hole, there is a good chance that your drains are blocked. Hair, cooking fats and oil all get washed down the plughole and can cause blockages. Most blocked drains can be flushed with boiling water, a bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar wash, or an off-the-shelf drain unblocker.
2. Outdoors: If you notice standing water around your property or unusually green areas of lawn, you may have a blockage in your drains. Leaves or mud can clog the drains following a period of prolonged wet weather. Scraping debris away is often sufficient to allow them to run freely again.
Cracked drains
3. If you cannot find sufficient debris to indicate a blocked drain but you are experiencing common symptoms, the drains may be cracked and leaking. Fixing a problem of this magnitude is unlikely to be a simple DIY job but professional companies such as https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/sewer-repairs-drain-lining-concrete-cutting/drain-repairs/drain-repairs-gloucester have the experience and machinery to repair the problem quickly and easily.
Damaged pipe joints
4. As with cracked drains, identifying and repairing damage to pipe joints is a job for the professionals who will be able to implement an effective repair.
Invasive tree roots
5. If a tree root manages to permeate your drains, it can cause them to back up or leak, both of which can create more significant problems if left unchecked. There are many companies offering drain lining Gloucester and beyond that can offer a low cost solution to small patches of damage.
Collapsed drains
6. If you suddenly experience a surge of wastewater on your property, there is a chance that your drains have collapsed. This is a serious health hazard and should be reported to your Local Authority and home insurance company as quickly as possible to determine the most appropriate and expedient way forward.
Homeowners are typically responsible for the pipes and drains on their land. Beyond this is usually the responsibility of the Local Authority or water company.