Gunpowder, treason and… a blockage to remember!
Back in 1605, Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators had a rather explosive plan. Their idea was to stash barrels of gunpowder beneath the Houses of Parliament and give the building a spectacularly unwanted makeover.
Fortunately, their plot was discovered before anyone was able to light the fuse.
Fast-forward 421 years and, while modern Britain has largely moved on from blowing up Parliament, there’s still plenty of suspicious activity going on underground.
Beneath our homes, another group of troublemakers could be scheming something equally unpleasant.
Fat. Grease. Wet wipes. Hair. Autumn leaves.
Individually they might not look particularly threatening. But get them together in a drainage pipe and you’ve got the makings of a rather nasty conspiracy.
And unlike Guy Fawkes, these characters don’t even have the decency to wear a suspicious looking hat!
Every good conspiracy involves a few familiar faces. And when it comes to blocked drains, the list of suspects is surprisingly short.
Fat, oil and grease
The leftovers from your Sunday roast might seem harmless enough, but pouring warm cooking fat down the kitchen sink is asking for trouble.
As it cools, grease can cling to the inside of pipes, gradually building up and trapping other debris.
Before long, what started as a little leftover gravy can become a rather substantial obstruction.
Wet wipes
Despite what some packaging might suggest, wet wipes aren’t particularly welcome in your drainage system.
Unlike ordinary toilet paper, they don’t readily break apart in water and can become tangled with other waste, giving rise to some spectacularly unpleasant blockages.
Even wipes labelled ‘flushable’ are best disposed of in the bin.
Hair
It might seem impossible that a few stray hairs could cause any real trouble.
But combine them with soap residue, shampoo and other debris, and you’ve got the makings of a surprisingly effective plug.
Which explains why your morning shower occasionally starts resembling a very small swimming pool.
Fallen leaves
Beautiful on the trees. Less attractive when they’re decomposing in the drain outside your kitchen.
As November brings falling leaves, wind and rain, outside drains and gullies can quickly become covered with soggy vegetation.
Add a little mud and garden debris, and suddenly the rainwater has nowhere to go.
And unlike the real Gunpowder Plot, this particular conspiracy doesn’t require 36 barrels of anything to cause a problem.
The Plot Thickens… Warning Signs to Watch For
Fortunately, most drainage conspiracies leave clues before the situation becomes serious.
Your drains will often tell you themselves. (no anonymous notes required)
Slow draining water: If your sink or bath is taking longer than usual to empty, something may be restricting the flow.
Strange gurgling noises: Bubbling and gurgling can indicate trapped air or problems with drainage flow. If your toilet sounds like it’s discussing its plans with the bathroom sink, it’s worth investigating.
Unpleasant smells: A persistent nasty smell from a drain may suggest trapped waste, a blockage or another drainage issue.
Water backing up: If wastewater starts appearing where it shouldn’t, particularly when another appliance is being used, it’s time to take action.
And if your outside drains are overflowing every time it rains, don’t automatically blame the British weather.
Admittedly, it’s responsible for quite a lot.
But not everything.
Foil the Plot Before November the Fifth!
The good news is that you don’t need to organise a parliamentary investigation to keep your drains flowing.
A few simple precautions can help prevent trouble.
- Let cooking fats and oils cool, then dispose of them appropriately rather than pouring them down the sink.
- Keep wet wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds and other rubbish out of the toilet. Remember the three Ps: pee, poo and paper.
- Remove hair from shower and bath plug holes before it disappears into the pipework.
- Clear fallen leaves from outside drain covers and gullies, particularly after windy weather.
- Check gutters and downpipes for autumn debris, and watch for water standing around your property after heavy rain.
A little drain maintenance now could save you from a rather more dramatic November surprise.
And unlike a firework display, a blocked drain is rarely something the neighbours gather around to admire.
When the Plot Gets Out of Hand
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a blockage has already established itself deep within your drainage system.
And no amount of enthusiastic plunging, boiling kettles or threatening the toilet with a stern talking to is going to shift it.
Repeatedly reaching for chemical drain cleaners isn’t necessarily the answer either. They can present safety risks and may not tackle the underlying problem.
That’s where Happy Drains comes in.
Professional drain clearance equipment can remove stubborn obstructions, while a CCTV drain survey can help identify what’s causing recurring problems.
Whether it’s accumulated grease, invading tree roots, damaged pipework or a particularly determined wet wipe, finding the source of the problem is the first move towards putting things right.
(No gunpowder required)
Remember, Remember…
This November, by all means enjoy the fireworks.
Wrap up warm. Toast a marshmallow. Wave a sparkler about responsibly. Stand in a muddy field wondering why the bonfire is producing more smoke than heat.
But spare a thought for the pipes beneath your feet.
Because while Guy Fawkes failed to blow up Parliament, your drains could still be harbouring a plot of their own.
And nobody wants to discover a blocked toilet halfway through a Bonfire Night gathering, especially not after a bowl of granny’s famous BBQ Bonfire Beans!
Something suspicious brewing underground?
Don’t wait for the big bang. Give us a call…
07788 254933 / 0800 849 8099
Happy Drains can help investigate blocked drains, clear stubborn obstructions and identify drainage problems before they turn into a much bigger headache.
Remember, remember… keep your drains clear this November!
Best,
David & Will
