Drainage is an important consideration while a property is under construction and maintaining and looking after your drains is vital to ensure they last for many years – and that your home does not become damaged by water.
You may be surprised to realise how many things drainage effects – as well as the obvious surface runoff from the roof when it rains, you should also think about the drains beneath the ground – such as those that take away wastewater and sewage.
It is important that you understand when drainage maintenance for the latter is your responsibility.
In the majority of modern properties – or anything built after 1937 when the Public Health Act was introduced – the local water authority will have ‘adopted’ the drain, which means they will maintain it and keep it in good condition.
However, in many homes constructed before 1937, the drain is the responsibility of the homeowner until it meets another drain – or drains – that serve other properties. If you are in any doubt, check with your local water authority as they should have a record of all the ‘adopted sewers’ for which they are responsible.
This means that you need to ensure you do not flush anything down the toilet that could block your drain and you should also take care when disposing of large amounts of cooking oil and fats, for example, as these can also block a drain.
Of course, any drains on the roof of your house are for you to look after – and you may also find you have a drain in your driveway or garden that you need to take care of.
One of the most straightforward steps you can take to look after your drains is to clean them regularly.
This is particularly important in autumn and winter, not only because this is often when you experience the heaviest rainfall, but also as this is when drains are most likely to become blocked by debris such as leaves.
Checking the drains and guttering on your roof for blockages regularly will mean that you can catch any problem early and prevent substantial damage being caused to your home.
Flat roofs can be much more susceptible to drainage problems than sloped roofs because the water does not always runoff and can collect in puddles, so you should be especially vigilant if you have this kind of property.
If you notice any problems with your drains while you are cleaning them, it is important to call on the services of a tradesman who can carry out drain repairs quickly to avoid problems further down the line.
But it is not only the guttering on your roofing you should check – the drainpipes themselves should be looked over to make sure there are no holes or cracks in them.
And while the drains on your roof are important, you should not forget about drains in place on the ground.
It could be that you have a drain on your driveway to prevent large puddles of water collecting there after heavy rain – or maybe you have one in your garden.
Either way, you should take the time to check that these drains do not become blocked and clear any nearby debris that could be washed into the drain if it were to rain heavily.
But even taking good care of your property cannot prevent problems from arising – so what should you do if you have a drainage problem at your home?
Firstly, you will need to ascertain what is causing the issue; then you will need to find a suitably qualified local professional who can carry out the necessary work to fix your problem.
If you have a serious issue with your drains and water leaks into your home, you may require the services of several tradesmen to rectify the situation.
For example, you may find that a blocked drain causes a leak in your roof, which subsequently damages one of the rooms below.
Obviously, you will need to enlist the help of a roofer to repair the section of your roof that is leaking, and you will probably require the services of local plasterers or renderers to fix any ceilings or walls that are damaged by the flow of water.
This can be a costly, not to mention disruptive, exercise and one that can be easily avoided if you take the time to look after your drains by cleaning them regularly and checking for blockages.
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