Flood Risks - How to Protect Your Home and Your Family

Flooding can happen to anyone at any time. There are many different causes of flooding, and some are more common than others. Blocked drains, displaced joints, and bad weather can all contribute to floods in the home.

So, how do you go about protecting your home and family from floods? Property and construction expert Thomas Goodman at MyJobQuote.co.uk has created this guide so that you know exactly what to do to ensure the safety of your family and your property.

Drain Blockages

Drain blockages can happen to any homeowner and are a very common problem. Blocked drains may happen quickly or come on slowly, making them more difficult to notice. The most common causes of drain blockages are hair, fat, and old food.

There are several DIY methods for unblocking your drain. Plunging or drain rodding is often enough to loosen the blockage. You can also purchase a range of different drain-unblocking liquids that you simply pour down the drain and leave to break up the blockage. However, if these methods don't successfully unblock the drain, you may have to call in a plumber for a more thorough investigation of the cause.

Displaced or Open Joints

Sometimes ground movement, often caused by subsistence, instability, and increasing traffic levels, can cause the pipes to open up or become displaced. These gaps in the pipework can cause leaks and may result in structural damage to the property if they're not dealt with quickly. The pipe may also completely break over time, resulting in flooding.

Unfortunately, these types of problems can only be dealt with by a professional. Broken pipes will sometimes be fixed by digging up the ground, pulling out the affected pipes, and replacing them. In cases where excavation isn't possible, drain relining will be used to line the pipes, effectively fixing the breakage issues.

Cracks and Fractures

Due to excessive wear and tear, cracks and fractures can occur in the pipes. These issues are most commonly found near the pipe joints. However, they can sometimes occur further down the pipework. Cracks and fractures in the pipework can lead to small leaks and some structural damage if they’re not dealt with quickly.

If you believe your pipework may have some cracks or fractures, it's best to get a CCTV drain survey from a professional drain company. This is where the engineer will send a small camera through the pipes to identify where the issue is and how bad the problem is. They will then be able to use some patch lining to repair the fractured or cracked areas.

Root Intrusions

Sometimes, plant and tree roots may burrow deep below the ground and hit pipework. Since roots are always searching for a good source of water, they will often penetrate any openings in the pipes to get through to the water. They will usually penetrate through the pipework joints, but sometimes they can push a hole into the pipe material. This can cause bad smells and may result in wastewater seeping out. The penetrating roots may also cause slow blockages as debris builds up at the root.

The best way to tackle this problem is to hire a professional. They will often complete a drain survey to determine where the problem lies. The ground will often need to be excavated so that the professional can cut away the roots and install new piping to replace the old one. For smaller issues, high-pressure flushing or drain jetting may be enough to fix the problem.

Broken or Collapsed Areas of Pipework

A collapsed pipe is a major problem as this will mean that wastewater isn’t leaving the property. Instead, this wastewater seeps into the surrounding areas. This can cause many problems. For example, the water may start to flow into the terrain surrounding the pipe. This can lead to mould on your property floors or walls. Water spreading in the area around your home can lead to subsidence and may even create a sinkhole. Collections of water can also attract pests and rodents.

If you believe you have a broken or collapsed area in your pipework, you should contact a drainage specialist immediately. The drain specialist will perform a CCTV drain survey to locate the problem and determine the best way forward. There are two types of repairs that are likely in the case of broken or collapsed pipes. These are drain excavation or drain relining. This type of problem needs to be dealt with quickly, and many companies will offer 24-hour emergency services for this type of issue, and most will be with you within an hour of your call.

Wet Weather

Some areas are prone to large downpours. While most of the time, procedures are put in place to prevent this water from coming into contact with homes; sometimes this just isn't enough and homes can become devastated by rainwater.

Make sure you are signed up to receive flood warnings so that you're aware of when it's likely to happen. If your home is prone to floods, it's worth investing in some flood-prevention equipment. Things like flood boards, sandbags, and plastic covers can help to prevent water from entering the home, protecting your property, your family, and your belongings.

How to Prevent Drainage Problems and Potential Flooding

Use a Drain Guard

Drain guards help to reduce the amount of waste and debris that gets washed down your plug holes. These small plastic or metal grate-like discs sit on top of the plughole to collect debris. You can then remove this and throw the waste and debris in the bin.

Make Use of Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaners are excellent for maintaining your drains. Simply pour the solution down your sink, shower, or bath and leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes or, ideally, overnight. Then you wash the solution away with hot water. Repeat this once every few months to help maintain all of your drains and prevent potential blockages.

Regularly Inspect Your Drains

Many problems with your drainage system aren’t easy to notice until it’s too late. However, if you take some time regularly to inspect the drains in your property, you may notice some early signs of drainage issues. Check if there are any unusual smells coming from your drains, and keep a lookout for wet patches or leaks around your property.

Hire Professionals

If you come across any drainage issues and you’re not sure how to proceed, then you should always leave it to the professionals to inspect and fix the problems you may be having. If you don’t take the right steps to fix the problem, it may result in the problem becoming worse. We all know drainage issues can be overwhelming and definitely inconvenient, so if you suspect an issue with your drains, contact a professional to take a closer look.

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