During the colder months of the year, your drains can experience harsh conditions, from excess rainwater and debris to freezing temperatures. It means pipes have to work harder than ever. Keeping your drains in check has never been more important, whether it’s to reduce maintenance costs (when blockages occur) or provide a satisfactory Home Buyers Drain Report.
Here are our top tips for preventing winter weather from causing drain damage.
How cold conditions affect our drains
Cold weather and icy conditions don’t just affect our property’s internal pipes. It’s impossible to control temperatures outside your property, where drains often face the issue of frozen water in low temperatures.
Firstly, ice in your drains can cause blockages, obstructing water from flowing freely down the pipes. If this happens, you may see flooded patios, driveways and gardens or in extreme cases, wastewater back-ups. The latter can result in severely damaged drains that require extensive repairs.
Secondly, water expands as it turns to ice, putting extra pressure on your drainage systems. It can even cause permanent damage, resulting in cracked or burst pipes that require extensive repair work.
Can you prevent drain damage in the winter?
There are lots of ways to prevent drain damage during the winter months. This includes looking at where your drains are failing, which can be identified by an expert drain survey. For example, there may be insufficient insulation or unidentified blockages or damage that need addressing.
Regularly clearing your drains during the year is the key to maintaining their health, as existing blockages can result in pockets of water that will turn to ice in the right conditions. You should also implement good practices within the home, such as avoiding pouring oil and grease down your drain.
Why get a CCTV drain survey?
One of the best ways to ensure the upkeep of your drains is to hire drain survey specialists in your local area. Using specialist CCTV equipment, they can inspect your drainage systems for defective sections and find the source of recurring issues, such as unpleasant odours, overflowing water and rodent infestations.
The footage and data gathered during a drain survey are invaluable. A reputable company will conduct the assessment and interpret the findings for you, letting you know of any repairs they recommend to prevent problems. They can also pinpoint affected areas if there’s already damage sustained, making it easier to choose the right solution for your requirements.
Professional drain surveys are available for both commercial and domestic properties, so it’s worth adding them to your property maintenance tasks to reduce future problems.
Book a professional CCTV drain survey now
If you’d like to schedule professional drain surveys or you think you have a defective or leaking drain, speak to our team today. At The Drain Survey Company, we offer our services across London and Essex, including Belgravia and Chelsea.
For a free drain survey quote, please call now on 020 4538 4399.
