Drains can smell for a number of reasons:
If the drain is outside then you can often use drain rods to clear the blockage, however it may require more sophisticated equipment such as a drain jetter. This will send high pressure water jets down the drain to break down the blockage and flush it away. It is always wise to have a CCTV drain inspection to check the drain is clear and no other issues are present which may have caused the drain to block in the first place.
9 times out of 10 it is due to hair etc. in the waste pipework. Hopefully it is simply a case of clearing the waste trap if accessible. However, it can be further down the line and building up on bends or where it connects to a soil pipe. You can sometimes clear the issue by letting the water build up in the shower tray and using a plunger over the waste to force anything away down the pipes. Should this not work then we are on hand with more specialised electro mechanical equipment. This is a long cable that is powered down the pipework with a rotating end that breaks down the shower blockage.
Excavation is normally the only option if it is collapsed. Drain tracing equipment will indicate the location and allow the pipe to be uncovered and fixed. This may be disruptive and costly if the drain is deep. Another option is to look at redirecting the drain to a new location if possible, preventing a excavation all together.
A drain survey or CCTV drain survey as it is often called, is when an engineer sends a drain camera down the underground pipes and records the video as well as taking still images. During this process the drains will be mapped out and a drawing produced. The report should indicate drain diameter, construction material, depth of drain and also if the drain is taking either foul or surface (or both) from the property. The survey will also highlight and record all bends, junctions and any defects that may be present.
A survey should always give recommendations and where necessary costs for any necessary repairs. At present in the UK anyone can call themselves a drain surveyor so always ensure you engage a company where the engineers have completed the relevant training and can produce certification.
If you have a drainage problem, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01606 636101.
Family owned and operated, we offer a friendly and approachable service when it comes to your drainage issues. Our engineers are local, with many years’ experience. Training is always at the forefront of their working lives, ensuring you can have full confidence in all they do.
Unit 22 Winnington Business Park Northwich CW8 4FT
info@techflowdrainage.co.uk
01606 636 101
