Why is Gutter Cleaning Important?

Gutter cleaning is an important part of household maintenance, if you don't keep them clean on a regular basis you're looking at bigger problems in the long-term. We're looking at water logging, and water absorption which can cause damage to the structure of your property. The water that collects around the foundations of your house or commercial property will then seep in and weaken the structure, and this is bad news.

Keep an Eye on Your Gutters

While you're busy with your day to day business, the gutters are probably the last thing on your mind- until something goes wrong. They sit in the background doing whatever it is they do and you don't really have that much of an interest. However you should be interested, because if you don't take proper care of them they can cause you and your home a lot of problems! It's regular constant care and attention that helps avoid serious issues later.

You gutters have an important job, and that is to make sure rainwater comes off your roof and goes down the drain. You can easily imagine what happens when they're ineffective. And it's not just structural damage, it could cause serious health issues too.

Your Gutters Could Be Damaged and/or Blocked

It's always a good idea to call a professional drainage team to carry out gutter cleaning. They will also be able to advise you on how to take care of your gutters throughout the year when they're not around. Things like clearing away debris which can lead to blockages, or repairing the seams of your gutters. Make sure you have a ladder to hand for your drainage experts and they'll also need gloves and a hose, perhaps some wire and garbage bags so they can dispose of the waste.

Blockages, Repair, Gutter Cleaning

If they find a blockage then they'll naturally clear away the debris that caused it. There could also be a blockage in your downpipe, which is a bit more tricky, but what they can do is make a hole to release the blockage. Then the drainage team can use a hose to see if the water is now running freely. They'll then fill in the hole and any cracks there may be in the rest of the piping. If the drainage team have taken away part of the pipe in order to replace it with a new section, you can use this opportunity to clean out the drain and wash away any dirt.

Have Your Gutters Checked Every Year

It's a good idea if you have gutter cleaning carried out on an annual basis, usually before the winter months set in and after the leaves have fallen in autumn. This should give your gutters a fighting chance against the cruel weather of winter and help them to stay free from blockages. It's going to be really hard to repair your gutters once the winter is here, as you or a drainage team will be fighting against poor weather.

You can also install a gutter guard and this will help protect your gutters and from debris from nearby trees. It will help keep larger bits of debris from getting in, although it's still a good idea to clean your gutters every year.

East of Scotland Drainage Services

If you'd like us to inspect your gutters or if you think there's a blockage, contact us and we can come and make an initial assessment and see what needs doing. We can unblock and repair your gutters and then give them a good clean. We have years of experience and all our team members are experienced, qualified and trained to do the job.

Flood Prevention For Drains

Whether you're a business or a domestic user, your drains are important, and you never realise how important until they stop working. We've had torrential rain of late and perhaps because of this, you are now more aware of drains and how they work than you were before.

In this post we're going to be discussing flood prevention from blocked drains. This is important as it's about prevention rather than a cure. You don't want to be in the position of having to repair your drains because of drainage issues, you want to be in the position of being prepared and being able to prevent a disaster.

Flooded blocked drains don't just happen, there are signs that you can look out for such as water draining slowly from the bath, sink or shower, there could be a build up of debris which is preventing a normal flow of water.

Check Your Drains and Try Using a Strainer

Check your drains regularly and you'll be able to see whether there is a danger of blocked drains. You can also try using a simple strainer on the drain holes so nothing will block the drains leading to a blockage somewhere down the line. It's simple yet effective and you can scoop out any larger items that could have gone drown the drain and blocked it.

Clean Your Drains Out Regularly

A regular drain clean is useful too, you can try buying unblock products, and there are some great products out there.

Get Your Blocked Drains Cleaned by a Professional

You could get a professional engineer who offers drainage services. He/she will have all the latest technology at his/her disposal with tools and techniques that will restore your drains to full functionality.

ES Drainage – First Class Service For Blocked Drains

If you need to have your blocked drains cleaned, or you'd like to have them checked out, or repaired even, then get in touch and let's get your drains in full working order. Full functionality is important for your drains as it can lead to a lot of mess and expense if it's allowed to continue.

Tips to Avoid Burst Pipes in Winter

This is the worst weather for pipes. Your home is under siege from bad weather, and this isn't good news for your pipes. It spell disaster for them if the frost gets to them first and you don't want to be dealing with that throughout the cold winter months.

Temperatures naturally drop considerably during the winter season, and this causes the pipes in your home to freeze. Then they can burst, and this then wreaks havoc on your home and its contents.

Pipes that are vulnerable from freezing weather are those that are poorly protected, those that are exposed to icy draughts, and pipes that are inside cupboards, as they will be shut off from warm air in your house.

What causes a pipe to freeze? What is it that makes a pipe burst during freezing weather?

The constant freezing of water and then the expansion of the water inside the pipes can create pressure that builds up between the closed faucet and the icy blockage. The water freezes and expands while it's in your pipes. It's then that it'll start creating pressure inside. The repeated pressure on the pipes will eventually cause it to burst.

What can you do to avoid this?

To make sure the water doesn't freeze while it's in your pipe, make sure you have insulation in your tanks and your loft. Lagging, which you can get from most DIY stores will help prevent freezing. You need to keep your pipes from getting cold, so make sure your thermostat on the boiler is working as it should and this should help prevent your pipes from freezing. Also, open your cupboards and and any sink cupboards during freezing weather so as to allow in heat.

Yes, your heating is going to be on in cold weather, but it's a good idea to have it on a low setting throughout the cold weather period.

Do you know where the stopcock is?

If not, then make sure you find out, that way you can turn it off when there's an emergency. If you think you might forget, or you won't be home when something happens, then try labelling the stopcock so it's easy to find for someone else.

Always check your pipes and if you're away, then make sure your neighbours, friends or relatives check the pipes during your absence. They need to be checked to see that they haven't frozen.

Maintenance

Check your pipes regularly for repair, and if they have a drip, then reapply new washers because if they do freeze, then your pipes will become blocked, and this can lead to bursting.

When Your Pipes Burst

What happens if your pipes do burst, what can you do? It will need to be dealt with quickly so the problem doesn't get any bigger. If you're not sure what to do in the event of this happening, then get in touch with us here at East of Scotland Drainage Services and we can help you deal with your burst pipes. If you're not confident about dealing with something like this it's best to call in the professionals. We hope our tips on avoiding burst pipes has been helpful, get in touch if you need any more help.

What is Drain Pipe Lining and What are the Benefits?

In our guide today we’re going to be taking a look at drain pipe lining and what it is. We hope you find it useful and that you come away with a better understanding of what it involves. In the long-term, it could save you money and time, and if you have blocked drain pipes, then finding a cost effective solution that involves no destruction or digging, could be just what you’re looking for.

Drain pipe lining – what exactly is it?

Drain pipe lining is a method for repairing your drains. A lining is installed which will bond to the pipes so the pipes are stronger and much more resistant to wear and tear. There’s little disruption because it involves no digging.

What are the benefits of using drain pipe lining?

This type of technology is one of the most cost-effective way of repairing your drain pipes. There’s no digging and very little in the way of disruption.

What happens?

When your drain and sewage pipes run into problems you’ll need a professional service from a qualified, experienced and trained drainage services. You may need to have your drains either replaced completely or relined, it really rather depends on the nature of the problem and how severe it is.

With drain relining the pipes will need to be de-scaled and then cleaned prior to being relined. There will be some electro machining and then some high pressure water jets, which will help remove the deposits of silt and scale. Once the pipes have been thoroughly cleaned, they’re ready to be relined.

The new lining is usually made of UPVC and is installed by a clever method of air inflation. The inflation tube will then be removed and the new lining will be cleaned so there’s no resin left behind.

There are many benefits to drain pipe lining:

1. Increases flow – flow capacity is increased so you’re pipes work better and harder

2. There’s no digging – pipe lining consists of clean-outs with no excavated dirt, digging or destruction. There’s no need to dig up concrete or stopping traffic while it’s done. If you can avoid tearing up floors, walls and roads then all the better, there’s far less stress and hard work involved.

3. The drain pipe lining gives your pipes the strength of new pipes without having had to invest in new ones and all the hard work that involves. The resin lining comes with a great life expectancy, which can be an amazing 50 years or more.

East of Scotland Drainage Services For Long Lasting Drain Pipe Lining

If you’d like to go ahead with drain pipe lining, or you’re unsure if this is what’s needed, then why not give us a call and we can give you some guidance. We may need to take a look at your pipes to see if drain pipe lining is suitable for your drains or sewage pipes before we make a final decision. We have many years’ experience behind us and all our team are qualified and trained, so contact us and let’s get those drains repaired. 

Your Guide to CCTV Drain Surveys

Nobody really wants to talk about drains, they’re functional and they do what they do, and it’s not exactly the most riveting topic of conversation (except for us!). However, there comes a time when talking about them isn’t just necessary, it’s essential.

You may have fond yourself with defective drains, and you don’t really have any idea what the problem is. What has the insurance company said, and what exactly is it they’ve asked you to do?

What’s the problem and how do you deal with it?

So whether you’re a business or a homeowner, at some point or another you will have the unpleasant experience of blocked drains to deal with. This isn’t always as straightforward as it may initially seem, and it is at this point you should get in touch with specialists, such as East of Scotland Drainage Services.

We have many years’ experience in dealing with blocked drains and in that time we’ve seen a variety of different problems that we’ve been able to solve.

What does a CCTV Drain Survey entail?

A lot of blockages will involve manual techniques, however there are occasions when this sort of method isn’t suitable. There may be a blockage that requires further investigation. With a selection of the latest CCTV cameras we can investigate a blockage further down in the drainage system, regardless of the size of the drains. We can take a close-up look at what’s blocking the drain and be better able to identify what it is. We can see whether the drain has completely collapsed or whether there is a major blockage.

See What We Find

It’s usually possible for the footage to be viewed online and in this way, you are able to see exactly what the problem is in detail. By seeing it for yourself, it can help you understanding the problem better.

CCTV Drain Survey - Cost Effective

Although you may be surprised, a CCTV drain survey needn’t be expensive. It could even save you money in the long run. It helps avoid the need for drain replacement or exploratory excavation. By avoiding unnecessary work, your drains will be able to be repaired much easier giving you a cost-effective service.

Specially Trained Technicians

One of our specially trained technicians can give a thorough assessment of the condition of your drain and from there you have a far better idea of what’s going on with your drains! What’s more, there’s no disruption to your property or the environment.

Sophisticated Equipment, Specially Trained Team

What we have here at ES Drainage is the most sophisticated CCTV drain survey equipment matched by highly trained and qualified technicians, so you know you’re in safe hands. You can have your results on a DVD and you’ll get a detailed technical report.

ES Drainage CCTV Drain Survey – Get in Touch

If you have any problems with your drains and you’re not exactly sure of how to deal with it, then do please get in touch.

We can answer all your questions without obligation, and if you do feel you’d like us to call, then we can do that too. Don’t let it become an even worse problem than it already is, get in touch today and let’s get that drain unblocked. 

Tips to Avoid Drainage Problems

From a blocked sink to an overflowing toilet, drainage problems can range from inconvenient to disruptive. They can cause standing water, unpleasant odours, and attract pests and vermin. Drainage problems are easily caused, but they are also easily avoided. Simply being aware of the way you treat your drains, and dispose of household waste, can make a big difference.

Follow these drainage tips to reduce the risk of everything from a minor blockage to a large flood.

Look After Your Pipes

With winter approaching, it’s time to consider your pipes. Make sure your outdoor pipes are insulated, otherwise they could freeze. Having your water supply cut off for a few days is bad enough, but if the ice causes your pipes to burst you’ll have an even bigger problem to deal with.

If your pipes are frozen, it is important that you thaw them slowly. Never pour boiling water on frozen pipes – the sudden change in temperature can cause them to crack.

Check Your Drains

Mud, leaves, twigs, rubbish and other debris can all clog up your drains. With wet weather on the way, now is a good time to check your drains for any potential blockages. You will often find that the offending materials can be scraped off the drain cover and everything will be fine.

While this is a quick solution, it is best to call in the drainage services experts to have a look. They will be able to identify any hidden problems. Having these taken care of now can save you a lot of money in the future.

Be Careful What You Flush

It is a common household habit to flush pretty much anything down the toilet. Nappies, cotton buds, cleaning wipes and sanitary products can all cause blocked drains – if not in your toilet, then further down the line. Once a blockage is created, things will gradually work their way back towards your plumbing. By the time you realise there’s something wrong with the drains, it will already be too late.

If you want to avoid these drainage problems, only flush ordinary toilet paper. Bag other waste products and dispose of them in a bin.

Keep Stuff Out of Your Sink

The sink is a cook’s friend. It seems like a sensible choice to pour all kinds of food waste down the sink, but this can cause a lot of drainage problems. The biggest offender is fat: it may be melted when it goes into the drain, but the cooler temperatures will quickly cause it to harden. It sticks to the side of pipes and collects other food waste, creating a large mass that eventually leads to blocked drains.

Try using baking soda followed by hot water (don’t use boiling water), or a cup of white vinegar to help break up fatty deposits and keep your drains free flowing.

Still Got a Problem? Call in Expert Drainage Services

These drainage tips will all help to avoid problems, but blocked drains do still happen. If you’ve got a problem with your drains, don’t hang around. Contact us today.

Common Causes of Blocked Drains

Whether you’re a business or a homeowner you probably think that blocked drains are something you’d really rather not think about. After all you have better things to do with your time. After all, when are you going to need drainage services?

Probably never.

Well you’d be wrong - leave your drains indefinitely without having them regularly serviced, and it could result in drainage problems. Question is, what are the most common causes of blocked drains, and how can you avoid them?

Today we’re going to discuss the most popular reasons why your drains get blocked and what you can do about it. Whatever you send down the drain, may not go away as you’d expect.

Cooking Fat

Cooking fat is a big no no for your drains. They’ll attach themselves to the side of the pipes as they travel down and over time they’ll start to clog the drains. Eventually, you won’t be able to pass liquid down at all.

To avoid this, try to keep an eye out for what you or anyone else pours down the sink and this should hopefully reduce the chance of blockage.

Hair

A build-up of hair is inevitable, even if they is only one of you in the house. There’ll be a gradual build-up, and at first perhaps the drainage will become slower and eventually it’ll stop altogether, and at that point you’ll need to call in the drainage services.

Hair seems so harmless but a build-up can be quite tricky on your drains. To keep this limited to a minor problem, try to keep the plugholes free from hair and always pull any hair away from the plug after hair washing and showering. You can also buy good quality products from hardware stores and supermarkets that will help sort out any blockages, and if that doesn’t do it then you can always get in touch with us here at East Scotland Drainage Services.

Toiletry Products

Anything from toilet paper, which shouldn’t’ be flushed down in excessive amounts, to baby wipes and nappies. Disposable nappies can actually expand to twice their size once they’re full of water and this is bound to completely block your drains. Don’t even try to flush a disposable nappy away.

Foreign Objects

This can be anything from toys, jewellery items flushed down by mistake, soaps, nappies, as we’ve already mentioned, and sanitary items. Sanitary towels can’t be flushed down the toilet, they can get stuck too easily.

Children can sometimes put things down the toilet in the belief that they’ll just flush away, this could be a potential blockage in the making. Try to keep your children away from the toilet unless they are there for obvious reasons and keep an eye out for missing toys!

Sometimes things will go down the toilet and you won’t know about it until there’s blocked drains. Sometimes it’ll take a while for you to notice, a blockage will occur once there’s a build-up of objects. Stay vigilant.

Leaves

Yes, autumn brings leaves and your outside drains are vulnerable to a build-up of dead leaves. While you’re busy in the garden, keep in mind that your drains are vulnerable too and need the same care and attention that the rest of your garden gets. Tree roots can also cause problems as they’ll be attracted to place where there’s water. Keep in mind that this can cause blocked drains too over time.

Drainage Problems – East Scotland Drainage Services

If you have any further questions, you think your drains may be blocked, but you don’t what’s blocking them, or you have other queries regarding your drains, then get in touch with us here at East Scotland Drainage Services. We’re here to help. If you leave your drains alone, then blocked drains can become a whole different problems. Address problems as you find them and you’ll have good, clean, functional drains. 

High Pressure Water Jetting for Drain Cleaning

A blocked drain can be a major inconvenience. At the very least it could make it hard to do things such as flush the toilet or clean dishes, while a worst-case scenario could see a flooded bathroom or kitchen. There are many things you can try yourself to clear a blocked drain, but in the case of tough blockages you will need to talk to a drain cleaning professional.

One of the most effective ways a specialist can unblock pipes and drains is through process called high pressure water jetting. Let’s have a look at what drain jetting is, and why it works.

What is high pressure water jetting?

Everyone knows that water is a very powerful substance. Even tiny drops can erode stone if given enough time. If you put water under very high pressure you can use it to do everything from clear driveways to cutting through stone and metal. You don’t need water to be anywhere near the pressure used in quarries to cut rocks in order to clear drains. All you need is a jet that is powerful enough to blast through blockages and you’ve got yourself an effective solution for drain cleaning.

How does drain jetting work?

Drain jetting uses a powerful pump to force highly pressurised water through a long hose. The hose features a backwards pointing nozzle, so when the water is turned on the force of it leaving the nozzle propels the hose forwards. This means that the hose feeds itself deeper into the drains while at the same time blasting the walls, and any build-ups, with powerful jets of water. The water will spray away any dirt that is lining the pipes, as well as fatty or greasy build-ups, other types of blockage, and even tree roots which may have cracked or damaged the pipework.

What are the benefits of drain jetting?

As well as being highly effective, drain jetting can save you a lot of money. It is less intrusive than other forms of drain maintenance which may involve excavating the affected area of pipework. It also only requires pressurised water, removing the need for strong chemicals which could have adverse effects on the pipework, or end up in an unwanted location further down the line.

Why do I need a professional for drain jetting?

Water at this pressure can be very dangerous. It can do serious harm to your body if you come in contact with the stream. If used incorrectly, the hose could end up flailing and striking you. There is also the chance that dislodged debris from the pipe could be jettisoned from the drain cover or manhole. Our staff are trained and experienced in using high pressure water jetting, so they know how to do so safely.

If you think you need drain jetting get in touch with us today.