5 Common Summer Drainage Problems And How To Avoid Them

Hot, sunny weather isn’t a sign to let your guard down when it comes to your gutters. In this post, our experts explore five of the most common drainage issues you may face in the summer and how you can go about preventing them.

Most people believe blocked drains and dodgy pipes are exclusive to wet, cold and windy months.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

With the glorious hot, sunny, and sometimes rainy summer weather comes a fair share of problems for your drainage pipes, which isn’t ideal.

With frozen and burst pipes wreaking havoc in the winter, things like cracked pipes and leaks take over in the summer. And knowing how to prevent these and other issues will help to avoid more serious, more expensive issues in the future.

In this article, our experts at Total Pipeline Systems reveal five of the most common summer drainage problems and how to prevent them.

1. Hot pipes

These days, most drainage pipes are made out of plastic. Whilst they offer many benefits, they’re put under a lot of pressure in hot weather – meaning they can fracture.

Whilst you can’t control the weather, you can paint or insulate your pipes to protect them from the consequences of extreme temperatures.

Painting your pipes is an affordable, yet effective way to reduce heat expansion and cracks. Adding insulation around your pipes provides a much higher level of protection for your pipes year-round, and while it’s a little pricier, it’s definitely worth considering if your budget allows for it.

2. Clogged drains

Of course, clogged drains can happen at any time of the year, but they can cause a significant amount of hassle in summer.

Things like summer barbecues, garden parties and more frequent showers can cause drain blockages, but by limiting your water usage and being careful about what you rinse down the drain or flush down the toilet, you should be able to steer clear of them.

Some things you cannot rinse down the sink or flush down the toilet include:

• Oil and grease
• Food scraps
• Paper towels
• Sanitary products
• Wet wipes

3. Leaky pipes

Leaks are more likely to happen when we’re using the water more often.

With everyone in the family taking more frequent showers or baths to cool off, using the hose to water the plants each evening and everything else in between, it’s safe to say your pipes are under lots of pressure.

To ease some of this pressure on your pipes, you could take shorter showers, use a sprinkler rather than a hose or install a water butt to collect rainwater that you can use to water your plants, fill up ponds and even wash your car!

4. Blocked gutters and downspouts

Blocked gutters and downspouts aren’t a problem exclusive to the summertime, but falling leaves, twigs and lawn clippings make it all the more likely.

To keep blockages at bay and excess rainwater away from your home, ensure that your gutters are kept clean and clear of any debris.

Check out our article on how to clean your gutters for some expert tips.

5. Plant root ingress

Plant roots can make their way into cracks of all different shapes and sizes, and gain access to your drainage system via the pipe joints.

Other than potting your plants or keeping them in borders, there isn’t much you can do to prevent root ingress.

Need more expert tips?

Looking for more guidance on how to keep your drainpipes in tip-top condition?

Having problems and thinking it might be time to replace them?

We’re here for you.

Whether you need expert advice or are looking for recommendations, give our friendly team a call today on 01254 382 000 or email us at sales@totalpipes.co.uk and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible with further details!