Autumn’s Here! How To Keep Your Drains Clear Of Leaves

Keep Your Drain Clear of Leaves - Tips and Maintenance

Traditionally, we think of Autumn leaves falling in October, but a recent study shows that November is now the month to get out the rake and the stiff broom. It’s not the most inviting time to spend a few hours in the garden, but you could avert a few problems with your drains by doing so. Piles of fallen leaves are major culprits when it comes to winter drain blockages.

Why are Leaves a Problem for Drains?

Clumps of soggy leaves can easily build up in your drains, which hampers the removal of water away from the property. If it’s a small blockage, the worst that will happen is a slow drainage. The trouble is that it takes a while for leaves to disintegrate, so they can easily build up. As the blockage gets bigger it could lead to a back-up of water, and local flooding.

Keeping Your Drains Clear of Leaves

Most gardeners cut back trees and shrubs in the late summer, and this goes a long way to preventing piles of leaves building up. If, however, you haven’t been out in your garden since the last barbecue in August, you may need to do a bit of clearing now. Here are our tips for keeping your drains healthy throughout Autumn.

• 1. Rake up Fallen Leaves Throughout November

  You have a water trap under a floor drain, laundry tub or wash basin that has dried out from lack of use. Water in any trap under unused drains will eventually evaporate. That would allow sewer gas to come up through the drain into the room. Solve that problem just by dumping a pitcher full of water into the drain to restore the trap water. If you follow that up by pouring a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil into the drain, a floating seal of oil will keep the water from evaporating so fast next time.

• 2. Clear Your Drain Pipes

  This requires you to get out the ladder and scoop leaves and accumulated debris out of your drain pipes and guttering. We’d recommend a sturdy pair of garden gloves and a trowel. Any build-up is likely to find its way intro your drains, so this is another preventive measure. It needs doing once a week throughout this period.

• 3. Keep Leaves Off Drain Covers

  Check daily that leaves haven’t accumulated on your drain cover. The first clear-out will probably be the worst as there could be a few mulched up leaves to clear. If you want a simple solution to leaf debris, you could get a ‘Drain Grid Cover’. This is a simple, inexpensive, plastic cover that fits over your drain and stop leaves from falling through your drain grid.

• 4. Get the Vacuum Out

  If there’s a build up of clogged leaves in your drain, you may not want to plunge your hands into the mess to remove it. One alternative is to scoop up what you can with a shovel, or trowel, and then deploy a ‘Wet and Dry Vacuum’. This should clear newer leaf fall, and prevent the build up of a potential blockage.

When to Call Out 5 Star Drain

If you notice a bad odour around your drains, or you can see standing water above the drain cover, you’ll need to call out a professional. 5 Star Drain will always answer your enquiry promptly, and we aim to repair blocked drains, sinks or toilets immediately if at all possible. Our drain clearance specialists will diagnose the problem, and give you a clear idea of how long it will take to sort out, and what it will cost.