Now that the weather has started to cool down and with winter around the corner, the last thing you’ll want to be doing is dealing with a blocked drain! It is important to look after your drains, especially leading up to the winter months as they are more likely to face problems from increased use and cold weather.
Any blocked drains that are left undealt can easily create more issues, such as water backup or flooding, causing damage to your home or business. Preparing your drains now ensures a simple and cost-effective way for your drains to operate ideally through winter.
At Plumbers and Gasfitters Bunbury, we specialise not only in clearing blocked drains but a wide range of plumbing services to keep your home or business flowing smoothly. Here is our checklist to prepare your drains now so that you won’t have to go out in the freezing cold to fix them in winter!
1. Trim the trees
Are there any trees, plants or bushes that are hanging over your roof or gutter? Leaves and debris continuously fall into the gutters, so giving them a good trim so that they are at least 1 metre away will prevent your gutters from filling up and avoid having blocked drains.
2. Clear the gutter and outdoor drains
This is a no-brainer following up from Step 1! Gutters quickly accumulate dirt and leaves, so giving them an extra good clean before winter ensures that your stormwater drains easily flow away from your property. With this in mind, give your outdoor drains a clean as well, making sure they are free from twigs, leaves and debris.
3. Maintaining your kitchen and bathroom
Before and after you use the sink, run some cold water down to flush any small particles away that may get stuck to the pipe. This prevents debris buildup which can lead to unpleasant smells and blocked drains if left untreated. Regularly check your bath or shower plughole for any blockages, and clean with some drain cleaner to keep water running away smoothly.
Our tip for kitchen drains: instead of pouring oil and fat down the sink, bin them instead as the cold will make these substances set even faster! You can pour some hot water down the drains every so often to help remove any grease buildup in the pipes.
4. Check the septic tank
Inspect your septic tank and make sure that the pumps are working, the lids are damage-free and that it is draining properly. If you find an accumulation of sludge in the tank, contact our plumbing services to get your tank emptied. Once we have done this, we recommend scheduling regular servicing and cleaning to ensure you have a good flow in and out of the septic tank.
If it’s time for your property to convert from septic to a sewerage system, the team at Plumbers and Gasfitters Bunbury can assist with your conversion requirements. Find out more about this here.
Last but not least, you can always call an expert to get your drains checked! The team at Plumbers and Gasfitters Bunbury are more than happy to help with any questions about your drains or plumbing. We also offer emergency plumbing services available 24/7 around the Bunbury area, where we will be at your door within an hour of calling!
