Encountering drain issues on your property can be both alarming and frustrating, particularly when the source or cause of the problem is unclear.
Continue reading to uncover potential reasons for your drainage concerns.
Common Drainage Issues
Obstruction in Drains:
The most usual issues that affect drains and that, therefore, will call for the repair of a drain are blockages. These are caused when varied objects or substances find entry and accumulation within the drainage system. Depending on the nature of the obstruction, blockages can develop suddenly or over time. For instance, large items such as toys being flushed down a drain can cause clogs that require immediate drain pipe repair. Others are common with substances like cooking fats, oils, and greases, which congeal and collect over time.
In some cases, you will be able to notice the blockage in good time, which warns of possible repairs to the drain in case, for example, you hear funny sounds from the pipes: trapped air or partially blocked.
Silt or Mud Accumulation:
Often, an outdoor drain is hindered because of an accumulation of mud, silt, or leaves. This becomes more common after heavy rainfall, following storms, or in autumn to winter months.
Cracks on Drains:
With time, excessive damage wears out the drains, which is mainly experienced around the joints or the length of the pipes in cracks or breakage. The damage may range from leaking wastewater on the ground of your property to basement floors in cases where basements exist.
Problems with rust and limescale. It is possible that the limescale will stick inside the plumbing system and, as a result, reduce the internal diameter of the pipes, which will have an impact on the water throughput. The same problem related to cast iron piping may be present, as it is prone to rusting and can, in turn, restrict the free internal diameter of such pipes.
Collapsed Drains:
Continuous wear and tear without proper maintenance will eventually lead to a collapse of a drain. This sort of damage causes pipework to burst open, discharging copious amounts of wastewater onto your property. It causes substantial damage and may carry serious health hazards.
If your drain has collapsed, you should liaise with a local plumber immediately to intervene and repair the leaking sewer.
Joints Becoming Displaced:
Furthermore, joint displacement of the pipe occurs due to subsidence, instability, or increased traffic moving along the ground. It may create openings and form small gaps where wastewater can infiltrate into the surrounding environment.
Tree Root Intrusion:
Tree roots naturally seek out water and nutrients, making your property’s pipes an inviting target. A root can work its way through a hole in the pipe, even if it is as narrow as a door, and grow big enough to widen the hole for other roots. This process can severely damage and block your drainage system, even breaking through cast iron pipes.
Other Drainage Issues
Apart from all these, there are few other problems that are quite potential with distinct kinds of drainage systems. Settlement close to building walls is observed with the French drain in the properties that have such a kind of drainage system. At other times, French drains installed very close to structures can cause over-drying, since they will be effectively taking away water.
In addition, French drains can be very inefficient for basement airing and moisture control, particularly where problems of severe dampness continue. This is just but a few examples of the myriad of drainage challenges homeowners may face.
Shared Water Supply Pipe Responsibilities
Where the water supply pipe serving your dwelling is shared with other households, the responsibility to see its repair remains collective. Under this provision, where the problem lies on that part of your plumbing system, the costs are to be shared and apportioned by all linked households to the joint supply in case the problem emanates from that part of your plumbing system.
Home Insurance and Drainage Problems
The extent of your home insurance coverage with regard to the drain will depend on several factors. Although most insurance policies will cover an emergency burst pipe within your property, the issues that arise over time from lack of maintenance are likely not to be covered. That means the sole responsibility for taking care of the drainage system lies directly on your shoulders.
Always be in touch with your home insurance company to confirm that you are covered on drainage by poring over the policy documentation. Knowledge of your coverage may set your heart at ease with an assurance that you are ready for any eventualities.
Fixing Drainage Issues Yourself
It is naturally understandable to take initiative and fix the drainage problems in your own residence. After all, it is your space, and one tends to keep all aspects going smoothly. There are a few hacks you can try on minor clogging issues, from a simple hot water flush to classic baking soda and vinegar. First and foremost, before trying any of the following solutions, make sure you’re equipped with suitable protective gear, like durable rubber gloves and safety goggles. But remember, using these ways you can pay twice for drain repairs.
Seeking Professional Help
Although there are available homemade solutions in cleaning the drainage, this should be taken with caution. If ever initial tries don’t prove successful, it would be best not to try very hard repeatedly for fear of causing accidental damage to your plumbing.
Where a drain is already faulty or poses complicated issues, one should seek professional services. Professional intervention guarantees your property and valuables, safety assurance of thorough and correct repair works, and may be more cost-effective in the long run. This is because experienced drainage companies have a whole variety of methods and the latest machinery, and they will be able to clearly diagnose and repair your pipes most effectively.