What’s the Best Maintenance Schedule to Avoid Blocked Drains?

Once a month, it’s worth doing a slightly deeper check. Make sure your drain guards are in place and doing their job of catching food scraps in the kitchen and hair in the bathroom. If you have outdoor drains, have a quick look around them too. Clear away any leaves, moss, or dirt that might have gathered, especially if you live near trees. If you’ve noticed the odd smell recently, a flush with hot water and a mild detergent usually sorts it out. These little check-ins don’t take long, but they help stop small issues from turning into blockages you can’t ignore.

Different times of year bring different challenges for your drains, so it’s good to adapt your routine as the seasons change. In spring, clean up any leftover debris from winter storms that may have ended up in your drains outside. Summer often means barbecues and garden parties, so be careful not to pour fats or cooking oils down the sink – they solidify and cause stubborn blockages. Autumn is the toughest season for drains, with leaves falling everywhere. Keeping on top of them will save you a lot of hassle. And in winter, think about frozen pipes. Making sure water is flowing freely and that outdoor pipes are insulated can save you from costly damage.

No matter how much you do yourself, there’s real value in having a professional take a look at your drains once a year. A yearly service usually includes a CCTV survey, which lets experts check for hidden issues like cracks or root damage that you’d never spot on your own. They can also carry out high-pressure jetting to clear away build-ups that home remedies simply can’t shift. The best part is that if they do find something small, they can fix it before it turns into a major problem. Think of it like a yearly health check-up for your drains – a small investment that saves a lot of money and stress in the long run.

Even with the best routine, drains can still catch you out now and then. The key is knowing when to pick up the phone before things get worse. If you notice water draining more slowly than usual, strange gurgling noises in your pipes, or unpleasant smells that don’t go away, those are signs something is building up inside. Outside, watch for water pooling around your drains after heavy rain. If you see any of these warning signs, it’s best not to wait. Getting a professional in quickly can stop the issue from turning into a bigger job later on.