Everything you need to know about drains.

Maintaining drains is one of the most important components of home maintenance. Cooking, cleaning, and other everyday activities become impossible when drains and water lines malfunction. As a result, it’s crucial to take care of your pipes and to know when to schedule home drainage maintenance.
1 – What is the difference between drains and sewers?
People sometimes confuse drains and sewers, but it is important to understand that they are two different things. There are multiple differences between drains and sewers, but the most important one is that they have their specific location. Drainage pipes connect your house or commercial facility to the city-owned sanitary sewage system.
The local water authority is in charge of maintaining the sewer drain pipe that transports wastewater from your property to a water treatment facility. A neighbourhood is traversed by the main sewer line, which transports water and trash in significant quantities from numerous houses to be chemically treated.
This means that, as a homeowner, you are in charge of your drain maintenance. It also means that your city is responsible for your neighbourhood drains, so if you encounter any problems your city will take care of it.
2 – What types of drains do I have in my house?
Many homeowners only consider pipes when they have problems with their plumbing or the quality of their drinking water. Regardless of whether you’ve ever even looked into your pipes, it is absolutely crucial to be aware of how to maintain your pipes that make up your plumbing system. In the event that you ever need to contact a professional for home drain maintenance, being aware of this can help you better comprehend the likely reasons of a specific problem and communicate the situation.
The most common piping style found in domestic plumbing systems are PVC, Corrugated, Cast Iron, Copper and Galvanised pipes. Even though many homes are interconnected by two or more different pipe types, which can be perplexing, being able to recognise these pipes will enable home drain care specialists to provide you a precise over-the-phone quotation when you call to report a problem.
3 – How durable are residential drain pipes?
There aren’t many things in this world that last forever, but a good drainage system can last for decades if properly maintained. However, if your home’s plumbing was installed more than 30 years ago and hasn’t undergone any maintenance in that time, there’s a good probability that your pipes may need maintenance, repairs, or retrofitting within the next ten years.
It is critical to understand the fundamental advantages, disadvantages, and typical lifespan of each residential piping type in order to stay on top of leaks and other piping concerns and to arrange routine drain repair as necessary.
When properly cared for brass pipes have a lifespan of about 40 to 70 years or more. Galvanised steel pipes can endure between 20 and 50 years, while copper pipes can last more than 50 years. PVC and Cast Iron drain pipes have a lifespan of between 75 and 100 years.
4 – What common drainage problems should I know about?
Most drainage issues in your home are simple to identify, and if you catch them early enough, you may easily stop them from developing into more serious problems.
- Blockages or slow drainage
You must unclog your drain if it becomes clogged, slow, or begins to smell unpleasant in order to prevent making the issue worse.
- Root Infiltration
Rarely, tree roots nearing water lines may penetrate deeply and collide with drainage pipelines. They often penetrate through the joints, puncturing holes into the pipework, causing blockages that may lead to serious problems.
- Pipes fractures
Drainage systems are continuously subjected to wear and tear, which eventually results in pipe fractures. These fissures are generally found close to the joints where wastewater can seep through, run into the surrounding lower sections, and undermine their structural integrity.
- Dislocated or broken joints
Your pipes may be damaged or displaced by ground movement, which can be brought on by drainage repairs or ground instability. These lead to leaks and, in the worst cases, structural damage, as the pipes lose support and collapse.
Hopefully this article has given you a better idea of what you should know about drains. We advise you to find out what your pipes are made of and look into maintenance options to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Visit our blog to learn more about everything drain related and visit our website to book a consultation. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.