Drain unblocking Derby

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Drains

The Hilarious Adventures of Drain Unblocking Derby: A Comedy of Drains and Unblockers

Introduction: Unblocking the Mysteries of Drains in Derby

Ah, Derby, the land of stunning architecture, rich history, and a vibrant community. But amidst the charm and splendour, there’s one thing that can put a damper on anyone’s day: a blocked drain. Picture this: you’re washing your hands, minding your own business, and suddenly, the water refuses to go down the drain. Cue the panic! Fear not, dear reader, for in this uproarious article, we shall delve into the wild world of drain unblocking in Derby, filled with heroic drain unblockers, unpredictable drains, and the quest to restore the flow of water with a touch of humour.

The Unstoppable Drain Unblockers Derby

Ever wondered who the unsung heroes of the drain unblocking realm are? Look no further, for in Derby, these brave souls exist! Armed with plungers, drain snakes, and a sense of adventure, the drain unblockers of Derby fearlessly plunge into the abyss of clogged drains, emerging victorious and restoring harmony to the once-troubled water systems.

If you find yourself in dire need of their expertise, fear not. Just a phone call away, these skilled drain unblockers in Derby will rush to your aid, ready to tackle the most formidable drain blockages with their trusty tools and their knack for solving drain mysteries. Whether it’s a rogue hairball, a mischievous toy, or an inexplicable accumulation of who-knows-what, they have seen it all!

blocked drains Derby

Drain Unblocking Derby: The Comedy of Errors

Unblocking drains in Derby can be quite the comedic affair. Imagine a drain unblocker arriving at a customer’s home, armed with confidence and a plunger, only to discover that the blockage isn’t what it seems. Instead of finding the usual suspects, they stumble upon a collection of rubber ducks that have formed an impenetrable blockade! It’s like the drains of Derby have a sense of humour and enjoy playing pranks on the unsuspecting heroes.

But fear not, for these seasoned drain unblockers in Derby know how to laugh along with the drains. They approach each unclogging mission with a light-hearted spirit and a dash of comedy, turning even the most frustrating situations into moments of hilarity. After all, what better way to combat a clogged drain than with a good laugh?

Unblocking the Drainage Mystery: The Sherlock Holmes of Derby Drains

In the world of drain unblocking, some blockages are as enigmatic as a Sherlock Holmes mystery. But worry not, for the drain unblockers of Derby possess the deductive skills and resourcefulness to solve even the most puzzling drainage conundrums.

They meticulously inspect the drains, armed with their trusty drain cameras, determined to uncover the hidden culprits behind the blockage. Perhaps it’s a curious squirrel who thought the drain would make a cosy nest, or maybe a mischievous garden gnome decided to play a prank by stuffing leaves down the pipe. No matter the case, the Derby drain unblockers are relentless in their pursuit of drainage justice.

Drain unblocking Derby

The Great Unblocker’s Toolbox: A Comedy of Drain-Unblocking Gadgets

Just like a skilled handyman, a drain unblocker is nothing without their trusty tools. From plungers to drain snakes, their arsenal of gadgets is as impressive as it is amusing. Imagine a drain unblocker pulling out a miniature plunger from their pocket, ready to engage in a miniature wrestling match with a stubborn blockage. It’s like watching a comedic act unfold, with the drain unblocker and the drain blockage engaged in a comical battle of wills.

But it doesn’t stop there. The drain unblockers of Derby have an array of unconventional tools that could make even a seasoned plumber chuckle. Picture this: a drain unblocker armed with a toilet brush, using it as a makeshift wand to coax the blockage out of hiding. Or how about a drain unblocker brandishing a pair of kitchen tongs, skilfully manoeuvring them to snatch debris from the depths of the drain? It’s like witnessing a magician performing tricks with everyday objects, turning a mundane task into a side-splitting spectacle.

The Unblocked Symphony: Restoring the Flow of Water

At long last, after the drain unblockers have battled valiantly against the forces of clogged drains, a symphony of water flows freely once again. The triumphant sound of water gushing through the pipes is music to their ears and a cause for celebration. And just like a curtain call at the end of a hilarious comedy, the drain unblockers take their bow, basking in the applause of a grateful homeowner.

Conclusion: A Comedy of Drains and Unblockers in Derby

In the realm of drain unblocking in Derby, where blockages lurk and water refuses to flow, the drain unblockers are the heroes who bring laughter and relief to the community. With their humorous approach and a knack for solving even the most perplexing drain mysteries, they turn a seemingly daunting task into a comedic adventure.

So, the next time you find yourself facing a blocked drain in Derby, don’t fret. Embrace the comedic chaos, summon the unblockers, and witness the unravelling of a drain unblocking comedy like no other. Remember, drains may clog, but with a touch of humour and the help of the unblockers, the flow will be restored, and laughter will echo through the pipes once more.

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CCTV Drain Survey

Posted on February 1, 2022 by steve

What is a CCTV Drain Survey?

Recent infrastructure studies underline the general deterioration of sewer systems and the risk to public health, the environment and increasing costs (ASCE, 2009). Since the origin of sewer systems in the 19th century, sewers have been installed in different
periods using available standards and technologies. Sewer assets have a limited service life and it is crucial to assess their condition throughout their life cycles to avoid potential catastrophic failure and expensive emergency rehabilitation due to their deterioration
(Hao et al., 2011).

This report first presents the wide panel of inspection technologies available to obtain information about sewer defects and conditions. Visual inspection (e.g. Closed-circuit television CCTV Drain Survey equipment, zoom cameras) appears to be the industry standard for sewer inspection. It provides visual data (images and/or videos) of the internal surface of the pipe. Defects are usually coded manually by the inspection technician according to standard coding methods.

CCTV Drain Survey

 

In Europe, the current codification system is the normative EN 13508-2 for visual inspection (EN 13508-2, 2011) used by the CEN-Members (European Committee for Standardisation). In addition, physical techniques are available that can give further
information and details about pipe defects.

These techniques do not replace the CCTV drain survey inspection but can give deeper insights into the type and severity of defects. Sonar and Lasers enable you to analyze pipe geometry and can identify defects such as deflections, cracks, sediments or corrosion. Ultrasonic testing and magnetic flux leakage (MFL) are applied directly to the pipe wall. They enable you to measure wall thickness and detect pipe
defects such as corrosion, deflections and cracks. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Infrared Thermography are used from above ground and are useful to locate pipes and identify bedding conditions, voids and leaks. Finally, network-wide inspection technologies like smoke testing or Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) can locate cross-connections and/or sewer infiltration. The purpose, inspection procedure and limitations of these methodologies are briefly presented.

In a second stage, this report presents the available classification methodologies developed to interpret automatically visual CCTV inspection reports and evaluate sewer conditions. These methodologies enable to transfer of the extensive amount of visual inspection data from CCTV drain survey inspection into a more easily manageable number, useful to support asset management practices. Most approaches have a similar goal: they aim to rank rehabilitation priorities and support municipalities in the definition of rehabilitation
programs. They do not pretend to replace the knowledge and analysis skills of a local expert but can help him or her to identify rehabilitation priorities.

All methodologies provide an overall condition score for each sewer segment or sub-scores for different requirements (e.g. structural and operational conditions) or dysfunctions. From the review of available methodologies, two main approaches can be distinguished: priority-based and substance-based methodologies. For priority-based methodologies, the calculation of sewer condition grades is based on the most severe defects, the density of defects and/or the length of the defect.

Condition grades express the priority of rehabilitation, i.e. the emergency of action regarding the probability of failure or collapse. For substance-based methodologies, the final score is calculated based on the length of sewer that will be affected by rehabilitation actions. Substance based methodologies do not aim to assess the condition of sewers but rather to rank sewer pipes considering the amount and type of rehabilitation needs: replacement, renovation and repair.

Each methodology aggregates and combines sewer defects in a very different way making very hazardous the benchmarking of final scores from different methods. Therefore, municipalities using different evaluation systems are not able to benchmark the condition of their networks. Finally, the accuracy of the classification results remains a key issue, crucial for the further use of inspection data to support asset management strategies.

Asset management is an increasing concern for wastewater utilities and municipalities. According to a need survey conducted by EPA (2008), the total funding needed for replacement, rehabilitation and expansion of existing collection systems for a 20 year period in the USA is 82.7 billion dollars, i.e. 28% of the total need of public agencies for wastewater treatment and collection. According to a French ministerial survey (OIEau, 2003), the total need in France for sewer rehabilitation is about 7 billion euros. Average yearly investments in the wastewater system in France are about 1.7 billion euros (including capital costs for replacement, rehabilitation or expansion of existing collection systems). In Germany, a national study estimates that about 17% of the sewers have severe defects and should be immediately or in short term rehabilitated (Berger and Falk, 2009).

In the last 30 years, most municipalities have invested in sewer system expansion and treatment plant upgrades but a relatively small
amount has been allocated to the improvement of sewer system conditions. Part of the funds needed to upgrade the condition of sewer systems will be generated through increases in municipal taxes and user fees (Allouche et al., 2002). Other efforts will focus on the reduction of overall costs through the definition of cost-effective rehabilitation plans and the optimization of inspection and maintenance programs.

In this context, the condition assessment of sewers aims to evaluate the current condition of assets and support the prioritization of maintenance and rehabilitation activities. The assessment of sewer condition is crucial in implementing a successful asset management program since the cost of sewer failure may have significant economic impacts on the municipality or utility (Rahman and Vanier, 2004).

Most condition assessment methodologies aim to provide an overall grade to each inspected sewer, which represents the current condition of the asset. Input data to these classification methods are sewer defects recorded during CCTV inspections and coded according to standard coding systems. For that purpose, mobile and rotatable cameras are inserted into the sewer system to record pictures or movies from the inner side of sewer pipes. Damages, defects and other abnormalities are documented and additionally described using standard defect codes.

Besides CCTV drain survey inspection, a number of additional inspection technologies are available. They can be used complementary to CCTV to gain more precise information about sewer defects or to identify defects hardly visible using inspection cameras such as
deteriorated bedding conditions.

Read more here: https://publications.kompetenz-wasser.de/pdf/Kley-2013-662.pdf

We have been doing CCTV Drain Surveys in Derby, Nottingham, Stoke and Sheffield for many years. Please contact us for more information.

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Smelly Outside Drain

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Drains

Drainage Pipe Clogged?

If you have a smelly outside drain, get in touch with us and we will give you advice on what to do. Whether a private household, business, property management or service provider in facility management, we offer you a competent and reliable service in Derby, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Stoke on Trent and surrounding areas at fair and transparent prices.
We are not a franchise! Accepted orders are carried out by ourselves and not passed on to other companies!

Smelly Outside Drain

Do you have any of these problems?

  • Clogged Toilet?
  • clogged toilet? Is it gurgling in the drain?
  • Hand washbasin or the shower is clogged?
  • Sink or bathtub no longer draining properly?

Such problems often occur in the evening or at the weekend. But don’t worry, we’re here for you!

Pipe cleaning we offer fast and competent help in the drain emergency service, every day – even on weekends and public holidays.

Our fair fixed prices for the elimination of your drainage problems.

Pipe cleaning – drain cleaning Derby

Pipe cleaning is used to clean and maintain pipelines. The wastewater conveyed in the pipes can cause deposits and eventually partial blockage. Gurgling or bad odours in the drain are often the first signs that the pipe cross-section has reduced and can cause smelly drains outside.

Depending on the application and pipe material, there are the following methods for pipe cleaning:

Pipe Flushing Derby

The simplest cleaning method is pipe flushing. Special nozzles are used here, which remove the deposits from the pipe wall using high water pressure. Most loose deposits are removed simply by increasing the flow rate.

Chemical Pipe Cleaning

Chemical pipe cleaning is the use of chemicals to remove deposits. A typical example is the removal of a blockage using a pipe cleaner. However, this type of pipe cleaning pollutes the environment and is therefore not used by us.

Mechanical Pipe Cleaning

We use mechanical pipe cleaning. Pipe cleaning spirals are moved through the pipe to remove deposits on the pipe wall. Depending on the type of deposit, a suitable attachment is used, such as milling head, root cutter or chain knocker. We can get rid of your smelly outside drain problem quickly and economically, call us for a quote and advice.

Preventive Pipe Cleaning

In the case of commercially used sewage pipes, such as in the catering industry, grease deposits inevitably lead to a reduction in the pipe cross-section. Once the pipe is completely clogged, flooding and water damage are often the result during operating hours and, in the worst case, can even lead to loss of earnings.

This can be prevented by regular preventive pipe cleaning. Of course, the recommended frequency of preventative drain cleaning varies from business to business. Call us for advice on this.

In gastronomic establishments, the drain pipes in the kitchen are mostly affected, since the grease that mixes with the wastewater when washing up and cleaning the floor settles again on the inner walls of the drain pipes within a short time.

However, clogging of the drain pipes of urinals, caused by the formation of so-called urine scale, can also become a problem, as this can be very difficult to remove after a few years. Pipe cleaning should be carried out here every 4 to 5 years.

We are here for you in the following Derbyshire districts :

  • Alfreton‎
  • Ashbourne
  • Bakewell
  • Belper‎
  • Bolsover‎
  • Buxton‎
  • Chapel-en-le-Frith
  • Chesterfield, Derbyshire‎
  • Derby‎
  • Dronfield‎
  • Eckington
  • Glossop‎
  • Ilkeston‎
  • Long Eaton
  • Matlock
  • Melbourne
  • New Mills‎
  • Shirebrook‎
  • Swadlincote‎
  • Whaley Bridge‎
  • Wirksworth‎

Drain emergency service Derby

If you want your smelly outside drain issue fixed quickly, then contact us today for a free no-obligation quote.

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CCTV Drainage Survey

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Drains

CCTV Drainage Survey

Do you need a CCTV Drainage Survey and if so what does it involve?

As drainage problems are not always visible a CCTV Drainage Survey will deliver an extensive review and identify any major or minor issues. A camera drain survey will direct and locate the issue which may include blockages, cracks or any kind of structural damage. A survey can also identify issues caused by tree roots, displaced pipes and joints, badly installed drains, signs of wear and tear, corrosion and rodent infestations. The CCTV unit has a transmitter that sends images and data back to a monitor so that your plumber can identify the location of the problem.

CCTV Drainage Survey

A closed-circuit television camera will be inserted into the relevant drain in order to review the damage. The use of flexible rods can navigate bends or corners as the cameras can self-right this means that any rotation or twisting caused by the rods can be corrected.

A CCTV Drainage Survey can take up to three hours for an average three-bedroomed house though before surveys are carried out it is usual that high pressure jetting is carried out which can take up to one hour. This is carried out because a pipe may contain debris and material such as stones, tree roots, fat, oils and grease or silt. If these are not removed first the CCTV camera may not be able to travel through the pipe or record unobstructed images of the pipe which will need to be reviewed to assess the condition of the pipe.

Before purchasing a property a pre-purchase drain survey could save you money on the asking price of the property and also help you get a more competitive mortgage deal as there is less risk which could result in you paying less on your mortgage repayments. A CCTV Drainage Survey will show if there is subsidence to environmental damage. Should you purchase a house with poor drainage you could end up spending money on upgrades and improvements and eventually you could be looking at foundation problems and water damage.

How do you know if you have drainage problems?

  • Cracks in the foundations
  • Gushing gutters
  • Deposits and flaking on the walls
  • Migrating mulch
  • Mildew in the attic
  • Water stains in the basement
  • Downspouts that dump

Full CCTV Drainage Surveys

The gathering of data helps the client to plan for urgent pipe repairs, rehabilitation or to support a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programme:

This would include:

  • A map of the drainage system showing main lines and lateral connections, plus manholes and surface water drains
  • Lengths of pipes
  • Pipe falls – this is a measurement of the gradient along the pipe
  • Flow rates and flow directions along the pipes
  • Location of pipe defects supported by HD-quality video

Other techniques used during a CCTV Drainage Survey are:

  • GPS surveys
  • 3D mapping
  • Topographical surveys

Will house insurance cover blocked drains?

When purchasing your insurance policy check that it covers damage to underground pipes, cables, drains and underground services. Insurers will not cover problems with pipes owned by companies, neighbours or water companies even if the issues arise from them. CCTV Drainage Survey

CCTV Drainage Mapping

CCTV Drainage Surveys help to map the drainage and sewer systems. This should detail drain water flow direction, manholes and drain runs. Drain mapping can help find out where the boundaries lie, who has responsibility for the infrastructure and pinpoint any drainage pipes or sewage ahead of building work.

Before starting any building work it is important to know where nearby drains and sewers are and who has responsibility for them. It is the responsibility of the property owner to inspect the drainage infrastructure before any building work or property extension is to commence.  Drain maps may be required to determine whether a ‘build over’ agreement is required.

What to expect from a CCTV Drainage Survey:

A CCTV Drain Survey Contractor should have the expertise and equipment to carry out the relevant survey. They should also:

  • Assess drains have the relevant equipment used to complete the process
  • Investigate the drains using CCTV using live feed and relevant software systems so survey reports can be provided in a timely manner with the correct data to suit the client’s needs.
  • Have access to data gathering services, such as 3D mapping and topographic surveys
  • Live feed should be uploaded to show the areas requiring repairs or others such as sewer cleaning
  • Provide advice on services to resolve any drainage problems found
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Fat Leads to Sewage Flood

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

Previously on our blog we’ve looked at just how much of an issue fat can be for drains, and the danger – yes, danger – posed by delicious English fry-ups. But we couldn’t help but feel sorry for residents of Witney, in Oxfordshire, after their high street was flooded with sewage last Thursday.

It all started around 9am, precisely as shops begin opening and shoppers flock to spend their hard-earned moolah. That was when waste began spewing out from beneath a drain cover outside of the Co-Op store and the local opticians, Scrivens. They weren’t the only shops affected though, with others also having to deal with the eruption of waste that spread. And until the cavalry arrived, shops had to use brooms to sweep away up to a centimetre of waste from their premises. Outside of the Methodist Church, the highways agency erected a battalion of sandbags to stem the tide of flow.

Manager of Scrivens, Jennifer Blackie, said: ‘When we left work on Tuesday, we could see some water around the drain, but it was clear, so we didn’t think anything of it. But this morning, it was all over the pavement and it was brown and full of loo roll and everything else. Customers had to walk in it to get into my shop.’

Ms. Blackie reckons that the drain in question bursts at least once a year, for the past seven years. That, she claims, is simply ‘not acceptable.’

And what’s the blame for the barrage of sewage that affected Witney? Our old arch-nemesis, fat, of course. According to Thames Water, who were sent to sort the issue out, one of the tributary drains, which feeds into the main drain under the high street, had become blocked. Thames Water explained: ‘A fat blockage in our sewer pipe led to five properties suffering sewer flooding.’

Get a free quote from the experts that blocked drains Nottingham residents rely on by contacting us for a free quote and free advice.

This sewer situation certainly serves to highlight just how devastating fat can be to drainage systems. But at least here at Inspect-A-Drain, we’ve got the north covered. If you’re having troubles with blocked drains in Nottingham and beyond, we’re on call to sort it out. For more information about what we do, and how we can help you, simply contact us on 0115 822 6086 or 07967 029 298 and our experienced, professional team will be delighted to assist with all of your enquiries.

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Down Your Toilet: Things You Should Never Flush Down Your Toilet

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

Baby wipes, paper towels, nappies – these are just amongst a large number of things that people flush down their toilets daily, without realising that they could be causing a lot of problems to their drains.

A blocked drain can be extremely inconvenient, especially for those who are too busy to wait around for someone to come and fix it. So why risk causing a clog in your drain?

As a company who specialises in providing solutions for drainage issues, including blocked drains Sheffield residents rely on, we have seen an awful lot of things that have been accidently, or purposely, flushed down the toilet, that really shouldn’t have been.

It’s become clear to us as professionals, that many people simply do not know what should and shouldn’t be flushed. For that reason, we have put together a list of all the things that you should avoid flushing.

Hands on yellow gloves cleaning a WC

  1. Dental Floss

With dental floss being so small, a lot people mistakenly think that they can flush it down the toilet. This is a mistake as floss isn’t biodegradable, and can cause a lot of problems when there has been quite a lot of it flushed together. It will wrap itself around other objects in your pipeline, and any minor clogs will soon become bigger ones.

You should just put it straight into your bin!

  1. Paper Towel/Kitchen Roll

Paper towel and kitchen roll are both larger and thicker than your average piece of toilet roll, and there is no easier way of finding this out but when attempting to flush it down your toilet.

They don’t break down in the same way as toilet roll and will cause a massive blockage in your drains.

  1. Cat Litter

We can see why a lot of people would think it was okay to put their cats waste down their toilet – it’s just a little bit of urine right? Unfortunately, cat litter contains clay and sand, which are two things that should never be flushed.

And what many people don’t know is that cat waste contains toxins and parasites that are dangerous to be in your drain system! So when you are cleaning your kitty’s litter train, put it in the bin or properly recycle it.

  1. Medication

Clogs aren’t the main issue when flushing medication – it’s the damage it can do to our water supply that is the problem.

You may feel like you are doing the right thing by flushing unwanted medication down the toilet, so that it can’t get into the hands of unwanted people. However, it can cause a lot of problems – contamination of groundwater supplies and terrible effects on wildlife downstream. Sewage systems don’t remove medication, therefore they get released straight into rivers, lakes and oceans.

Your local pharmacy will be able to dispose of them in a better way for you.

Other things you shouldn’t flush include:

  • Hair
  • Tampons/Pads
  • Grease/Oil/Fat
  • Band Aids
  • Cigarette buts
  • Cotton wool/Balls

Basically, all you should be flushing down the toilet is everything created by your body’s digestive system and toilet paper. Everything else should just be disposed of in a different, environmentally friendly way.

If you have drainage problems and you’re looking for an affordable solution – we have got you covered.

Here at Inspect-A-Drain, we are drainage experts with years of experience in providing solutions for blocked drains. So if you need help with your drains, we recommend contacting us for professional help.

You can give us a call on 01335 360879 and a member of our staff will be happy to help you out.

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Causes of Sewer Flooding

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

Sewer flooding can be caused by a number of problems, and it’s never very pleasant. The natural elements such as climate change and a growth in population can put pressure on drainage systems and sewers therefore, causing sewer flooding which can lead to all sorts of problems. Unfortunately these problems are often intensified by humans, as we pave over greenery and natural drainage systems.

It isn’t just this that increases the chance of sewer flooding, if you put things down your toilet and sink that is unsuitable this will also add to the risk. Fat, foodstuffs, and towels are constantly flushed into sewer systems that cause ‘fatbergs’; they then build up until one day the sewer system is blocked and overflows.

blocked drains Sheffield

During heavy storms; sewers have to cope with an increased capacity which means that if it is blocked it can fail to work efficiently and overwhelm the system. When this happens, raw sewage can rise to the surface and overflow from manholes and even flood homes. Unfortunately many people suffered from this during the storms of 2013. Sewage can be damaging to your health and is very unpleasant, so you do not want it running through your home.

How to Prevent Sewer Flooding

We can all work to prevent sewer flooding by taking care in what we dispose of down our sinks and toilets. Follow these rules:

  • Do not pour fat down the sink; it will congeal and cause blockages.
  • If you’ve noticed a blockage in your drains, get them unblocked before it causes more of a serious problem.
  • If it says ‘do not flush’ – obey the instructions!

Of course, sometimes flooding cannot be prevented due to heavy storms and intense rainfall. But you can use preventative measures to save your home when it flood warnings are issued just in case a sewer flood should occur.

  • Block doors with sandbags.
  • Move your personal and more expensive items upstairs.
  • Never let children play in flood water – it could be full of sewage.
  • Check for flood warnings.
  • Keep your warm clothes, torches, medication, first aid kit, radio, rubber gloves, wellington boots, food and drinking water upstairs – call it your flood survival kit.

If you think that you are suffering from blocked drains in Sheffield, please give us a call. We are specialists when it comes to drain problems both domestic and commercial. We are dedicated to sorting out your problems efficiently and at an affordable cost. If you would like further information about our services, please contact us. Our team are more than happy to help!

 

Call us on 0115 8226086 or 07967 029298 to speak to a specialist today!

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Drain Buster- Top 5 Causes of Blocked Drains

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

Having a blocked drain is one of the most common problems that home-owners can face. It can be a costly and time consuming issue to fix, depending on the nature of the blockage and is generally an all round nuisance.

But what are the top 5 causes of drain blockage and how can we prevent our drains from becoming backed up?

1. Fat and Grease

This is one of the most common culprits of drain blockage. When cleaning kitchen utensils, the majority of people will just pour the excess fat and grease down their plughole, causing a build-up in their drainage system.

Over Eating

Fatty substances are known to be extremely sticky so they stick to the sides of the drain, gradually building up as more and more fat and grease are poured down the drain.

To avoid this fatty drain blockage, keep an eye on what substances you are putting down your plug hole. Find alternative ways to dispose of any fatty deposits or grease… such as scraping into a tissue and throwing in the bin.

2. Hair

You may think that hair is thin enough to get washed down the plughole without any consequences. Unfortunately, hair is pretty flexible and is easily caught on both the plug itself, as well as in the pipes. This makes way for more hair to get tangled on the existing hair, causing a nasty build up.

256Hair-Fall-cover

This can make having a shower very unpleasant, as the damp hair will also attract any products washed down the plughole, making the build up begin to smell. It also will stop water from being able to drain adequately, leaving you standing in a pool of essentially dirty water.

Regularly checking for hair in and around your plug hole helps to prevent a huge build up, as well as investing in a plug hole cover with smaller holes to try and reduce the amount of hair that gets through, while still allowing the water to drain through it.

3. Toiletries

You may think that, because you can put toilet tissue down the toilet, you can flush other toiletries down your toilet too.

Put that baby wipe down and step away from the flusher! Toilet paper has been designed to be successfully flushed down the toilet; baby wipes and other toiletries haven’t! Even excessive amounts of toilet paper can cause a blockage, so it’s important to only flush a small amount when required.

iStock_000015888125_Large wet wipe

Baby wipes and beauty pads are too thick to break up in the water like toilet paper, and tampons tend to swell when in contact with liquid. These will all build up in the pipes if they get caught on anything in the pipe and cause quite a nasty blockage which can occur at any time!

4. Leaves

Outdoor drains are constantly at risk from blockage as you are unable to completely control what goes into your drain.

Leaf

Leaves, especially in the autumn months, are one of the biggest causes of outdoor drain blockage. The leaves fall into the drain, collecting at the bottom. You’ve probably have already witnessed how easily wet leaves can stick to things when out walking and they stick to your shoes. These leaves all stick together and end up creating a blockage in the pipes.

They can also gather over the top of the drain covering, cutting off any drain access for water trying to seep into the drain.

5. Rubbish

Rubbish is also another cause of outdoor drain blockage. Some items of rubbish can travel into your drainage system and get stuck, causing a backlog of water and other rubbish. This is hard to combat as it isn’t a consistent cycle of rubbish being present to cause a blockage. With leaves, you can generally judge when a blockage may occur, due to the season and weather.

Thrown Out Furniture - iStock_000019706220_Large

Placing a cover over your drain will limit the amount of rubbish that has access to your drainage system, while still allowing your drain to function properly.

Here at Inspect-A-Drain, we know how important it is to have a fully functioning drain, and just how much a drain repair can cost. Prevention is the key to cutting back on unnecessary drain blockage and expense. If you are looking for someone to combat your blocked drains Derby people call us, Inspect-A-Drain is here to help! If you would like more information on any of our services, contact us today by calling 01335 360879 and one of our dedicated team members will be happy to help you.

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The Strangest Things Found in Drains

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

Piranhas, prosthetics, and a Pooh – of the cuddly bear variety; these are just a selection of the more unusual items discovered in our nation’s drains last year.

As a leading provider of drain unblocking services Nottingham residents rely on, here at Inspect-a-Drain we know a thing or two about blocked drains – and the damage offending items can cause them.

But every now and again something a little more bizarre turns up, which even leaves us scratching our heads.

If you’ve ever wondered what could be lurking in the drains beneath your feet, then read on, as we take a look at some of the more wonderfully weird objects – and critters – found hidden in drains.

A Rolex

Rolex watches are most often found in high-end jewellers, and on the wrists of movie stars. But back in 2011, a street cleaner in Essex literally struck gold, after discovering a Rolex in a rather more humble accommodation – a railway station drain.

And this wasn’t just any Rolex: it was an 18 carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph, worth an estimated £21,000.

This remarkable story doesn’t end there either. The intrepid drain inspector later found a further three watches in nearby drains – including another Rolex. Talk about a lucky find!

A Courageous Cow

Facing certain death in a French abattoir, one daredevil cow plotted a rather audacious great escape.

After making a run for it, the brave bovine was found a few days later hiding out in the relative safety of a nearby drain.

You’ll no doubt be overjoyed to learn this story has a rather happy ending too. Touched by the cow’s courageous spirit, the decision was made to allow the cow to live out the rest of its days in a field.

Sewer Crocs

Drains can be dark, dangerous places, full of all sorts of nastiest. And whilst it might sound like something fresh out of a horror movie, sometimes these nasty finds can bite back too.

Sewer-dwelling crocs have been the stuff of urban legends for decades. But, in some countries, such claims are more fact than fiction.

In fact, in Australia, crocs cropping up in drains are a surprisingly regular occurrence. Eek!

America, too, is no stranger to tales of dangerous sewer-dwellers. In 2011, an alligator measuring a whopping 14ft was found wedged in sewage pipe in Tampa, Florida. It’s fair to say it gave the poor sewage workers who stumbled upon it a bit of a fright.

A Mini

Some auto-experts might disagree, but Minis aren’t typically considered worth flushing down the drain – even Michael Caine in The Italian Job had the good grace to drive them clear of the sewer system. Regardless, one of London’s major sewers was once found to be housing half a Mini.

Never mind what happened to the other half, the burning question here is how on earth it even got there in the first place!

Dentures!

False teeth are a surprisingly common sewer find. And they can be familiar culprit when it comes to pipe blockages. How they end up here though remains another one of life’s many mysteries.

So prevalent is this problem that one utility company here in the UK began posting pictures of the recovered teeth on their website, in the hopes of reuniting them with their owners. Whilst this gesture of goodwill is really rather touching, whether they would actually want them back or not is another matter.

drain unblocking services Nottingham

Something a Little Fishy.

Back in 2014, the nation was rocked by the news of the discovery of a flesh-eating piranha in a Telford sewer.

But the initial shock of the find, soon gave way to some healthy scepticism. Following much speculation as to how a piranha could have found its way into a Shropshire sewer, a fish expert delivered the news that the mysterious fish was in fact a Tilapis – a commonly farmed breed of fish.

Regardless of the exact nature of the fish, the message of this cautionary tale remains the same: whatever fish you buy, don’t flush it down the toilet!

Just because you flush something down the loo – or wash it down the sink – doesn’t mean it won’t see the light of day again. As these peculiar tales show, you never know what could be lurking beneath your feet.

If you’re having issues with your drainage system, whatever the cause, then we’re on call for you. We’re experts, when it comes to blocked drains Nottingham people call us, ready to help keep your drains clean, clear, and free of any unexpected surprises.

For more information, contact us today by giving us a call on 0115 822 6086.

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Thameslink Chaos Blamed on Blocked Drains

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

When you come to us needing help with blocked drains in Sheffield and the like, you’re probably fairly concerned about the problem, but it’s likely that you’re not thinking that your entire world is going to grind to a halt. Sure, it’s an annoyance that needs to be sorted, but is it really such a serious issue? Well, just ask rail commuters in London how bothersome a case of blocked drains can be…

Thameslink Track Submerged

At the end of January, Thameslink services in London were severely affected after a section of the track became totally submerged. According to pictures that can be seen on the ITV News website, the disruption was caused by the simple expedient of a blocked drain. Apparently, the underlying issue was actually a burst water main, but it was a clogged up grill that rendered this water unable to flow away in a natural manner. The problem was first identified nearly a decade ago, but a lack of regular maintenance resulted in the complications becoming far more obvious than ever before.

Who Is To Blame – Rail or Water?

However, it’s not only commuters who have been thrown into chaos by this flooding, as Network Rail has approached Thames Water with a colossal bill in light of the situation. Inversely, Thames Water has blamed the inactivity of Network Rail with regards to maintenance. After clearing the blockage away from the railway system grill, Thames Water stated in no uncertain terms that they thought Network Rail were to blame. Regardless, this is far from the first leak or drainage issue that has dogged Thameslink of late, so it’s to be hoped that a solution can be found soon.

Domestic Drainage Problems

Obviously, domestic drainage problems are unlikely to result in a submerged railway, but a valuable principle can still be learned from this large-scale episode. If you notice a potential problem with your drainage, get it sorted out as soon as you possibly can. Leaving it in the hope that it’ll go away is not recommended, as existing concerns will begin to escalate into something even more serious.

For help with blocked drains Sheffield residents rely on contact us for a free quote and advice.

Blocked drains can lead to health complaints and household emergencies, so don’t follow the alleged example of Network Rail by forgetting good maintenance. Instead, give Inspect-A-Drain a call today on 0800 195 8670, 01335 360879 or contact us by emailing roger@drain-inspections.com.

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