Unblocking a Drain
Types of Drainage
Foul Drainage
As It says in the description this covers the Foul Drainage, normally from toilets and grey water from the sinks, sump pumps etc..
Surface Drainage
This is generally rain water collected from downpipes from the roof and is generally collected via a gully trap, other surface water maybe collected from aco drainage in driveways.
Safety first
Drainage systems especially foul drainage can be extremely hazardous to health some of the diseases that can be found in sewer systems can cause, salmonellosis ,shigellosis ,diarrhoea ,trachoma ,melioidosis ,gastroenteritis ,hepatitis A
Before tackling any type of blockage, make sure you stay safe by wearing full protective clothing (this includes gloves, goggles and overalls).
How to unblock drain equipment required
Drain rods can be hired or purchased
4 inch or 6 inch plunger
Drain Keys or Suitable Screwdrivers to Prise Drain cover up with
Remove the cover
Lift the inspection cover on the drain. If the cover is rusted shut, tap cover in the corner with a hammer or use a screwdriver to scrape away the rust and then prise the cover off. If your drain cover has a handle, tie some string
or wire to it, then pull the cover open.
Working out Direction of Flow of the drainage
If the chamber is fully it may be difficult to work out the direction of flow , of the drainage , this seems strange but a lot of properties have the main drainage running across the rear of the property , and it may look like it is even
running up hill .
To establish direction of flow insert the rod into the centre of the chamber, And finds main drainage channel this will be
the lowest point in the chamber. See illustration on Right
Now follow the drainage channel first in one direction and if possible mark the
height of the surface on Drainage Rod and compare to other side, deepest
point direction of Flow Now we have established direction of flow we can proceed to trying to unblock the drainage.
Blocked drains can be caused for many reasons, some of the most common reasons for blockages are, excessive use of toilet paper , wet wipes , facial wipes , kitchen roll , damaged drainage , tree roots .
Clearing the blocked drain
Insert the rods down the drainage system without any plunder on first to establish of it is
just a local blockage if this is unsuccessful you will have established the exit point from the chamber and you can now find
it easier, when using plunder.
Clearing the blocked drain using Rods & Plunger
Fit the plunger to rods we recommend that you use lockfast rods as you can turn them either way
without the rods coming apart and you getting the rod or plunder stuck down the drainage system causing more problems.
Drainage System Still Blocked?
A lot of the time drain rods are unsuccessful at un blocking drainage systems , this could be due to wipes building up on a bend or damaged joint, tree roots of even a build up of fat .
Drain rods will not traverse tight corners, so the only option you may have is to call in specialist Drainage Company like ourselves who have High Pressure Drain jetting equipment , that is capable of clearing the most stubborn of blockages
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