Don’t forget your drains this National Spring Cleaning Week

Property owners should take extra care of their drains this National Spring Cleaning Week urges consumer champion, Drain Claim.

The insurance handling expert believes property owners are running the risk of costly insurance claims because they are not looking after their drains correctly.

“Many drain problems occur due to simple wear and tear over time but equally there are measures that all property owners can take to protect their drains from unnecessary damage,” commented Drain Claim CEO David Hayes. “It is all too easy to poke or flush something down a drain in a hurry only to discover a major blockage has been caused a few weeks later. We’ve created some simple tips for property owners to help them give their drains a little TLC during Spring Cleaning Week and beyond.”

Drain Claim’s Top Tips for Healthy Drains

In the kitchen 

Do not wash cooking oil or food debris down sinks. These can harden and clog drains, leading to unsavoury smells and a build up of waste materials that can cause serious blockages. 

Never pour grease or cooking fat residue down the drain. Clean greasy pots and pans as thoroughly as possible with a paper towel before cleaning in hot water in the sink.

In the utility room 

Never dump chemicals such as fuel, paint or paint thinners down a drain. Dispose of them correctly at your local recycling centre.

In the bathroom 

Only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Dispose of everything else in a bin – nappies and wet wipes in particular cause hundreds of drain blockages every year. 

Use drain screens to keep hair, soap scum, and other solids from making their way down bathroom drains.

Outside 

Check that the tops of your drains and any gutters are not blocked with leaves or debris. 

Ensure any open gullies have a well fitting grate to prevent litter and leaves entering the system and clear any obstructions from the surface of the grate.

Weekly drain care

Pour boiling hot water down all sinks.

Give your plug stoppers and drain screens a clean and remove anything obstructing plug holes.

Drain Claim also strongly recommends that property owners seek professional advice should water fail to drain properly or a blockage be discovered. Common drain problems which occur outside the home but cause drain issues inside include tree root damage, drain pipe corrosion and subsidence. Many of these problems are covered under buildings insurance policies, meaning repairs can be made at no cost to home owners.

“Many property owners simply don’t realise that building insurance policies’ accidental damage clauses often cover a multitude of common drainage problems and unwittingly end up paying to fix problems that could be rectified for free,” continues David Hayes. “It is always recommended to avoid doing anything within the home that could cause lasting damage to drains but common external problems such as tree root damage are unfortunately unavoidable. Property owners should always maintain a close watch on their drains and ensure they have the correct level of insurance should the worst happen. The cost of rectifying broken drains, due to their location underground can run into thousands of pounds, therefore having the correct level of accidental damage cover is absolutely essential.”