Buying a New Home? Make Sure You Check The Drainage!
If you're looking to buy a new home, there are so many things that you need to consider and something like the drainage system can often be overlooked.
However, it's vitally important that you check the entire drainage system before you purchase the property; especially things like bad smells or blockages should be found and resolved. After all, the last thing you want to do when you first move in is to find out there are drainage issues and then have to sort them out.
We'll tell you what you need to do and what checks need to be carried out in this helpful article. Of course, if you have any other questions, you can always speak to the experts at JLH Drains!
Check the drainage system for blockages
One of the biggest causes of problems in any home is a blocked drain. Not only will it cause waste to not leave the property properly, it will also leave a bad and very unpleasant smell. Plus, it will make it harder to flush the toilet or effectively drain the sinks.
The worst aspect of any blocked drain is the fact that if waste is unable to flow away through the drains, it will have to come back the other way and potentially flood your property.
It's therefore very important that you get the home's drains properly checked by experienced experts. They will do this by carrying out a CCTV drain survey.
Monitor the flow and pressure of the drains
Blockages, cracks, general wear and tear can also cause a leaky drain. If this seems to be an issue with the property you're considering buying, a drainage engineer will need to be called out to monitor the pressure and flow throughout the entire drainage system.
This will allow them to find out exactly where the leak is coming from and the best way for it to be solved. Either the issue will be fixed there and then or you will be given advice on the path forward.
Check for intruding roots
One of the other main causes of drainage issues is root intrusion. This can be caused by loose joints in the pipe or even just a small crack. As roots are attracted to water vapour, which will of course be escaping from any loose joints or cracks, they will start pushing their way through and feed off the water. As the root gets larger, paper, grease and solids will catch on it and potentially cause a blocked drain.
One of the best ways to check for any of the problems mentioned above is a CCTV drain survey. Professionally carried out by an expert, this will allow them to see any collapsed pipes, blockages, leaks, root intrusion, fractures or displaced joints and identify any other potential problem areas.
It might also be worth having a CCTV drain survey to show you exactly what part of the drainage system will belong to you, so you will therefore know who is responsible for each section if there is a problem in the future.
At JLH Drains, we have been working in drainage for decades, so if you need any more advice or guidance, feel free to contact us.