Pipes & Drains
Household pipes and drains
Domestic pipes serve two essential functions. To supply water to the property and remove waste and they operate via two completely separate systems so that contamination of the water supply is avoided at all times. Problems can arise with either system if there are leaks or blockages. Blockages, in particular, are a very costly business when they occur, but for a person with basic skills and knowledge, a blocked waste pipe or drain need not turn out to be a complete disaster.
How to cope with a blocked drain
Firstly, make sure that you know the difference between a blocked sewer and a blocked drain. Drains take waste from toilets bathrooms and kitchens (sewage) and surface water (rain water) away from an individual property. Lateral drains are the part of a drain outside the property boundary - for example, in a neighbour’s garden or in the roadway. Sewers are shared drains. They take sewage and water away from more than one property.
Complications can arise if you do not know who is responsible for the drain that is blocked. Householders are responsible for the drains to a property, even if they go under someone else’s land or a road. For sewers, it was always the case that the property owner would be responsible for any problems up to the point where it connects to the public sewer, usually on the highway. However, from October 2011, the regulations are changing in England and Wales and the water and sewerage companies will now be responsible for all private sewers and lateral drains that connect to the public sewer. Householders will still be responsible for drains, as has always been the case.
Reporting a blocked sewer or drain
In England and Wales, you should report it to your water authority. Their name will be on your bill. If the drain is your neighbour’s but it is affecting you, then you can contact your Environmental Health Department for advice. They have the power to serve an enforcement notice to have the drain cleared. If you notice a blocked drain or gully on the road or a footpath, then contact your Council’s main Customer Service number to report it.
How to avoid getting a blocked drain
Do not flush any of the following down the drain. Dispose of them in the household refuse bin or recycle where possible:
• food waste
• any type of paint and solvents
• fats, oils or greases from cooking or automotive repairs
• disposable nappies and baby wipes
• condoms
• sanitary towels, liners or tampons
• medical dressings or bandages
• animal waste, including contents of cat litter trays, hamster cages etc
• cotton wool and cotton buds
• razor blades
• petrol, diesel or oil
Building and drains
You must always seek advice from your local Council before you alter a drain in any way, or if you wish to connect to an existing drain. Take care to avoid damaging any drains in the vicinity of the building work.
Clearing a blocked waste pipe in the home
Almost everyone will be familiar with standing in a shower up to your ankles in foamy water. This means that there is a build up of debris in drain hole. Showers, especially have a very shallow drain outlet, which leaves them prone to becoming blocked. Eventually the water will usually trickle away, but it is always best to clear it as soon as you notice that there is a problem.
Quite often, the cause of a slow-clearing shower drain is that hair and grime has built up in the trap. The trap is the short bend from the plug or drain hole and can easily become choked. So, an obvious remedy would be to remove any hair or debris that you can see that is sitting on the drain cover. To avoid this happening again, buy a hair trap and place it over the drain outlet. A similar situation can arise in any bath, basin or sink, so it is worth knowing how to deal with a blockage should it ever happen in your home.
If the water is still slow to drain away, then the problem will probably be a bit further down the pipe. In this situation, a plunger is a very effective remedy. It is always worth having a plunger in the home and they are cheaply bought from any hardware shop. Place a wet cloth over the drain, then the plunger. Push the plunger up and down several times. Then try to run some water down the drain. It should clear much quicker following a plunging. If it still does not flow freely, then it would be worth trying to dislodge the blockage with a length of garden hose or similar equipment for drain clearing that you can buy from a DIY store.
Again, once the pipe has been subjected to the garden hose being pushed along, try and flush some water down. If the water still does not clear as it should, then it might be worth obtaining a propriety chemical drain cleaner. These usually contain caustic soda and must be used according to instructions and with the appropriate safety gear. If this still doesn’t work, then it is probably time to call in a plumber!
Clearing a blocked toilet
If the water level is high in your toilet after you have flushed, it indicates a blockage somewhere. Try to dislodge the blockage by quickly tipping two or three buckets of water down the pan. If this does not help, them a larger ‘Cooper’ plunger is an effective way of dislodging debris. If you do not have a large plunger, then a mop with an old floor cloth tied to the end can be equally effective. You may need to bail some of the water from the WC before attempting this procedure. Chemical drain cleaners can also be helpful but you must read the instructions carefully and use appropriate safety gear before use.
Excerpt from Health & Safety Wear the appropriate safety gear. Each job demands specific safety protection...