How To Clean Drains

Your drains are vital in the day-to-day fulfilment of your household needs. From carrying away wastewater to preventing your garden from flooding, they’re worth looking after.

That’s why at Express Drainage Surveys, we want to help you do all that you can to keep your drains clean. In our guide, you’ll discover some practical, cost-effective ways of safely cleaning your drains, while also learning some preventative steps that can help to avoid blockages in the first place, including your waste disposal habits. We’ll also explore when it’s time to bring in the professionals for CCTV drain surveys or cleaning.

Why proper drain care matters

Taking care of your drains isn’t just part of being a homeowner or building manager, there are three major reasons you should look after your drains:

For health and hygiene: If your drains are damaged or blocked, you’ll find that not only does it mean they generate foul odours, but they are also a source of bacterial overgrowth. Poorly maintained drains can also attract pests, which bring their own health and hygiene issues.
For longevity and saving money: Keeping your drains free from damage means they’ll last longer and you won’t have to fork out for major works. Whether that’s regular inspections and cleaning or just avoiding putting corrosive, damaging substances down them, it’s all an opportunity to preserve the useful life of your drains.
For avoiding emergency issues: Blockages can lead to burst pipes and wastewater backups, which often lead to costly call-outs and repair works. Save this hassle with a little bit of drain maintenance from the experts and put your feet up.

Common causes of blockages and what not to flush

Knowing what you shouldn’t put down sinks and toilets means you’ll stand a better chance of avoiding drain blockages on your property. Here are the common items to keep away from drains:

In the kitchen: Don’t put any of the following down your sink: fats, oils, food scraps or coffee grounds. These solidify in your drain and cause blockages further along.
In the bathroom: Try to avoid letting these go down your drain: hair, soap scum, sanitary products and excessive amounts of toilet paper. These lead to clogs when they build up in your system.
In your external drains: Keep the entrance to your drains covered and avoid leaves, dirt and debris getting in. This will mean regularly clearing up your garden and outside areas to avoid any of this detritus building up.

Forming good habits will help you keep your drains in top condition, like using a fat collection container, straining food scraps and using a hair collection tool when washing pets.

Simple, safe DIY cleaning methods to try

How can you safely keep your drains flowing? We always recommend seeking professional assistance for thorough drain cleaning, but here are some DIY options for general upkeep:

Weekly hot water flushes to dislodge grease and residue (never use boiling water)
Baking soda and white vinegar, flushing with hot water
Soda crystals with hot water – another option for semi-regular cleaning
Use a mechanical tool, such as a drain snake, to remove any build-ups internally

External and channel drain maintenance

As well as tackling your habits and cleaning schedule internally to avoid blockages to your drains, there is plenty you can do to keep your outside drains in top condition, making repairs and call-outs less likely.

Starting with your channel drains, remove the grates and either brush or scoop out the debris. You can then flush the channel with a hose or pressure washer. Always check the condition of your grates, replacing any broken portions to help them block debris effectively.
Next, take a look at where your garden or external drains are. Make sure you wear some gloves if attempting to open any manholes. Check for any debris build-up and remove it if possible. If there is sediment build-up inside, flush it through with a pressure washer.
Finally, tackle your plants. It may seem a strange tip, but nearby trees and vegetation can lead to root ingress in your drains, so perform regular trimming to keep them at a normal size and install root barriers if planting anywhere near your drains.
Be aware of additional seasonal cleaning and maintenance requirements. Autumn will lead to more leaf buildup in your garden, while winter freezes can block your downpipes.

Preventative tips and a regular maintenance schedule

Cleaning your drains means a regular maintenance schedule that suits your property. Here is what we recommend:

Weekly: Perform a hot water flush or vinegar mix for your inside drains.
Monthly: Apply soda crystals and flush the system.
Biannually: Perform a full drain clearance and inspection for any damage.

There are also some handy additions you can make to your drains, such as drain guards, that can catch hair, food scraps and more to prevent any major blockages over time.

If you have any unused drains, we recommend running water through them periodically to ensure they don’t create foul odours or collect gases over long periods.

When to call the professionals

DIY remedies and regular cleaning can only do so much. If you have persistent blockages, multiple clogs or bad odours, it suggests there are deeper issues within your drainage system that require attention.

At Express Drainage Surveys, we use the latest technology to provide a wide range of services, including evidence-based reports from recorded images that allow you to better understand your drains – this also helps to pinpoint any issues precisely so that you can take action.

We’re here as your professional drainage company to provide any of the following services your property requires – whether at home or for your business premises:

Contact our team today to discuss any issues you’re facing with your drains, and we’ll be happy to recommend the right service to restore your flow. From comprehensive quotations for maintenance and repairs to regular jetting and cleaning for deep blockages, we’ll help you avoid costly emergencies and drainage headaches.