A drain in need of repair is a drain that requires immediate action, or it can be a difficult and expensive journey ahead. There are signs you can look out for however, and hiring the right drainage expert with the requisite skill set, experience and expertise is another step in the right direction.
Signs your drains are in trouble
Smell
There’s an unpleasant smell. If you notice a foul smell and it’s around your bathroom or kitchen sink, then you can be certain it’s your drains that are causing the problem. The blockage may be pretty deep as well, bicarbonate of soda isn’t going to cut it I’m afraid, not on this occasion. It’s going to be a drainage expert that will be required from this point forward helping to ascertain quickly and efficiently what’s causing it and diagnose a solution.
Slow draining water
It could be that there’s a blockage. If when you’re in the shower you’re standing in at least an inch of water, then you need to ascertain what you think is causing it, and if it’s not the usual culprits like hair or soap then it’s time to call in the drainage experts.
Outside drains
The drains outside your home are usually the main reason for calling out a drainage expert. They will be overflowing and nothing will be going down, and in wet weather this is not good news, as it could result in your garden flooding.
It could be external pipework that’s at fault, but as well as bringing the drain rod to investigate we’ll also use other methods too if that doesn’t work. We might try CCTV drainage surveys, and perhaps use high-pressure jetting to remove the block.
Find out who is responsible for drain repairs
One of the many important reasons you’ll call in a drainage expert such as ourselves is because we can tell you how much we think it’ll cost and who’s responsible for the repair - it may not always be you. As you may already be aware, your drains are part of the public sewer system, so it could be that it’s not your responsibility to sort it out - and just as importantly it’s not your responsibility to pay either.
Try a simple fix
Bicarb soda and vinegar usually get rid of most blockages, when they don’t you know you have trouble. We’ve already mentioned this but sometimes your bicarb of soda with vinegar combo doesn’t work. If it doesn’t work on this occasion you can guarantee you have a bigger problem than you initially thought.
Home surveys could save you a lot of money
If you’re about to buy a property a drainage home survey is almost essential, although you will have to pay for it yourself. This type of survey will bring up any problems which can be resolved before you buy or help you to make a decision on whether you’ll buy at all.
You wouldn’t want to move into a property without knowing what drain problems there may be, or worse case scenario is that any unseen drainage issues you’re unaware of could plague you for years to come once you’ve signed on the dotted line and purchased the property.
East of Scotland Drainage - Scotland's premier team of drainage experts.
Think you have a problem that needs our attention? Contact us and we can arrange a good time to call. We’re always here to help.