Drain advice from the experts in and around Plymouth

We offer a planned maintenance programme, personalised to suit your requirements. This can include cleansing of the entire drainage system or specific areas.

Here's some advice on the general aspects of drainage problems:

Blocked Drains

• When drains block the problems needs to be addressed swiftly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
• We offer a rapid emergency service with no hidden callout charges. Furthermore, we offer a fixed price for successfully clearing your blocked drains. If we are unable to clear it using traditional methods, e.g. with the use of rods or high pressure water jetting, then we will provide a quote for any supplementary costs that would be incurred in investigating the problem, such as drain tracing or CCTV surveys.

Why do drains get blocked? There are two main causes:

• General misuse
• Debris, e.g. fat, silt, and foreign objects (e.g. we once found a shirt down a drain) build up and prevent the flow from running freely.

Structural faults

• These can be caused by ground movement, heavy traffic overhead and root penetration. Using our camera surveying equipment we are easily able to ascertain what damage has occurred and provide recommendations for remedying the situation.

How to unblock drains

• There are 2 techniques for clearing drains:
• with the use of plastic drain rods. However, over-zealous use of drain rods can possibly cause additional damage.
• high-pressure water jetting – a hose inserted into the drain and, driven by auxiliary means, creates powerful multi-jets of water which slice through blockages and restores a free flow in    the pipe.

Drain repairs

• Drain repairs, e.g. replacement manhole covers and frames or larger repairs, such as replacing sections of pipe, either on private property or extending into the road from the property, can be undertaken. If such works are required, a written quotation will be provided in advance.

How to prevent a drain blockage:

When drains block the problems needs to be addressed swiftly and efficiently in order to avoid additional problems or, in some cases, possible flooding. However, there are certain measures that can be taken to prevent blocked drains:

• Do not flush wet wipes down the WC
• Do not flush disposable nappies or sanitary towels down the WC
• Keep items away from where they could fall into the WC
• Avoid the use of toilet cleaners which suspend on the side of WC’s – it is all too easy for these to fall into the WC
• Avoid putting cooking fat down the drain
• Ensure drain grids are free of debris, e.g. moss and leaves
• Ensure drains are free-flowing by lifting drain covers
• Check downpipes and guttering. Remove any debris, e.g. bird nests and leaves