How to Prevent Winter Drain Blockages

As the temperature drops and the days darken, blocked drains are common issues almost every household faces. Blocked drainage can lead to flooding, mould formation, and structural damage to your space. The best practice is to protect your drains in winter by keeping them clean, insulated, and inspected to identify and address any drainage issues before the cold season approaches.

Preparing for Winters: How to Prevent Drain Blockages

Once you notice an overflowing gutter, a pouring downspout, or a clogged sink, you can only resolve the issue with a costly repair. On the other hand, preventing winter drain blockages can be significantly lighter on your pockets with minimal effort. It can give you peace of mind, ensuring your entire space is safe from drain blockages even if the temperature drops to several degrees. Let’s get started to learn how to prevent drainage obstruction and protect drains in winter:

Keep Drains Clear

The most important thing is to keep your drains clear. Before the winter starts, autumn results in the falling of leaves, twigs, and branches that can obstruct your downspouts and gutters. The debris may obstruct the way of water and result in overflowing gutters. All you have to do is inspect your drains visually and clear off any debris, leaves, or twigs to guarantee proper water flow across the drains.

Inspect and Repair the Damage

Regular inspection at least once or twice a year should be performed to maintain the optimum functionality of your drainage system in all seasons. However, the inspection should be a part of your practice before winter to ensure your drains function the best during heavy rain and cold winds. Ensure the gutters and pipes are securely attached without sagging or pulling away.

In addition, temperature fluctuations, corrosion, and ageing can weaken the pipes, giving rise to cracks and collapses. Determine any crack in the entire drainage and repair the damage before it worsens.

Check your Downspouts and Gutters

Cleaning the grates and gutters ensures the maximum functionality and smooth functioning of your drainage system. Clogged downspouts can lead to several plumbing issues, including foundational damage, corrosion, mould formation, and water leaks. In order to protect your roofs and walls from water spills and visual water stains, it is important to thoroughly inspect your downspouts and gutters and address the issue immediately.

Insulate Pipes and Outdoor Taps

The first line of defence in protecting drains in winter is the proper installation of your drainage system, gutters, and pipes. If the entire drainage is appropriately installed, you just need regular inspections to ensure it works perfectly. However, you can incorporate proper insulation to provide your drainage an extra layer of protection. Wrap your pipes in insulation sleeves and lagging and secure them with electrical tapes to prevent sewer lines. Additionally, pay special attention to the pipes in the basement, loft, and other unheated areas to avoid blockages of drains in the cold season.

Hot Water Flush

To prevent chilled water from damaging the pipes in winter and to avoid mould growth, keep the water heating system on and run hot water at least once daily. Interestingly, hot water flushes can also help clear your pipes from any grease, oily substances, or food remains to ensure top-notch maintenance of the winter drain system. Thus, you can turn your heating system on or flush hot water at least once a day to prevent winter-related pipeline issues.

Use a Drain Screen or Filter

Installing drain screens or filters is especially critical in kitchen sinks and bathroom gutters. Cold temperatures, along with waste and scraps, can obstruct the way in the pipes, resulting in clogged and blocked drains. When installed in the bathroom gutter, a drain screen or filter can catch hair and pieces of soap. It can also help catch scraps, or food remains before they enter the drain system to ensure the topmost working drainage throughout the year.

Get Professional Inspection

Staying vigilant and aware of how your gutters work is important to preventing winter drain blockages. To avoid last-minute panic, the hassle of resolving a clogged and blocked drainage, and costly repairs, consider getting professional help. Expert plumbers can help you with a professional inspection, identifying and addressing the issues appropriately to prevent blockages using the latest techniques and proper equipment. At JCON Plumbing, we have a team of competent professionals who are experts in leak detection, installing and maintaining drain systems, and drain cleaning in Sydney.

Tips for Winter Drain Maintenance

Here are a few quick winter plumbing tips to help you prepare for winter with a properly working and functional drainage system:

●       Switch on the heating system and ensure hot water runs through the pipes to maintain smoothly running pipelines.

●       Remove twigs, leaves, and debris from the gutters to ensure a properly running drainage.

●       Ensure that the storage tanks and pipes are covered and lagged to prevent cracking in pipes.

●       Put hot water through your kitchen drains to remove oil build-up and grease from the pipes.

●       Don’t use chemical drain cleaners, which can corrode and damage the pipes.

●       Do not drain oil and grease directly in the sink, as they can solidify and clog the pipes in winter.

●       Hire a professional plumber to inspect your drains and prevent them from clogging in winter.

Bottom Line: Protect Your Space From Winter Drainage Problems

In short, you can prepare your space for winter and prevent drain clogging and obstructions by taking necessary preventive measures. Start by clearing the gutters of leaves and debris to prevent drain blockages. In addition, you can insulate your pipes and tanks and run hot water flushes to protect sewer lines. Installing drain screens or filters can help catch the debris, hair, pieces of soap, and other remains to prevent them from entering the pipes and resulting in clogging.

Thus, you can protect your spaces from potential winter drainage problems by asking for professional help. An expert plumber can assist you in maintaining the optimal functionality of your drainage and preventing obstructions in the drain. Contact us today to identify, detect, and address your drain issues today.