The post Patio Cleaning & Driveway Cleaning appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>Patios and driveways are expensive to have laid and can very soon look unsightly or even start to deteriorate if nature is left to its own devices.
In addition to our drain cleaning services All-Clear Drainage Ltd specialise in patio pressure washing, block paving and driveway cleaning using all the latest eco-friendly cleaning techniques and modern pressure washing machinery.
Pressure washing should only be undertaken by experts, as many uneven pressure washing systems can cause expensive damage. All-Clear’s technicians will match the equipment to the circumstances to minimise such risks.
For an evaluation call us or email us and we will arrange for someone to call you. You can call us on 01494 775505 or use our contact form (click here).
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]]>The post Using Drain Rods appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>When drains run underground, they usually run in straight lines between inspection chambers (manholes), gullies and stacks. Inspection chambers are found wherever pipework joins and wherever the direction or depth of the drain changes.
Drain rod sets are an essential item of plumbing equipment that is used to clear drains that between a house and a main sewer and a reasonable set can be purchased for about £40 (e.g. Draper Drain Rods). Anyone with reasonable practical skills can try to tackle a blockage with rods. However, care must be taken to use them with caution, as drains can harbour a number of hidden obstacles, such as tree roots.
Before tackling a blocked drain with drain rods you should make sure that you are protected with waterproof clothing or overalls, waterproof gloves and Wellington boots, consider also wearing a pair of goggles to protect your eyes.
Drain rods are usually about one metre in length and screw together to create a continuous line of rods that are flexible enough to enable them to be pushed along the pipework until they reach the blockage. A special disc shaped rubber fitting is screwed on to the leading rod that is only slightly smaller in circumference than the pipework. Typically, made of rubber or similar flexible material when pushed against the blockage and then withdrawn creates a vacuum which pulls the obstruction loose. Sometimes another end piece called a double worm-screw is used to break up stubborn obstructions.
You will need to find the first manhole on the drain that exits your property and carefully lift the inspection cover. Sometimes it can be quite a task to lift the cover, especially if earth and debris has gathered on top of it. Remove any earth and deposits from the surface of the cover (you will not want this falling into the drain) and use a scraper to clean around its edge, then use a heavy screwdriver to move it.
If the manhole is empty the blockage will be between it and the house, if it is full of effluent the blockage will be further down the line. Begin by screwing together the first two rods and attach the appropriate end fitting onto the first rod. Insert the rods into the drain towards the blockage and add further rods as required. Once the obstruction has been reached the rods should be pushed and pulled until the blockage clears.
Most drain rods have to be turned in a clockwise direction when trying to clear a blockage because turning them anti clockwise, can unscrew them and leave a rod stuck in the drain, a nightmare scenario that is often very difficult to resolve. Some expensive rods do have locking mechanisms that prevent them from unscrewing by accident.
Finally, once the blockage has been removed, plenty of water should be poured down the drain to ensure that it is totally clear. After completing the task, your clothing and the drain rods should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected so as to remove the risk of infection.
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]]>The post When to call a drain clearance expert appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>If you are experiencing problems with water backing up, often accompanied by a foul smelling odour you need to take rapid action. Prevention is better than cure and having drains and sewers inspected and cleaned on a regular basis is an essential part of good property maintenance regime.
Special attention should be given to the placement of trees or large shrubs close to drains, as roots will tend to seek out water and enter them via small cracks within joints.
Be wary of using drain rods, as trying to rod pipework yourself with a set of ‘DIY shop drain rods’, can easily compound the problem, especially if rods decouple within the soil drain as they are being fed in or drawn back. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty trying to locate and unclog a blockage and don’t want to risk creating an even bigger issue it is advisable to call in an expert.
Regular drainage inspections and cleaning will prevent damaging root growth and potential unhygienic blockages which are costly to fix. Blocked drains are often caused by cooking fat, oil and grease that can cling onto tree roots and rough surfaces in our pipes, leaves from gutters, and soil and dirt in gullies which can also cause potential blockages and damage within our drainage system.
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]]>The post Blocked Toilet appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>From time to time very nearly everyone will be faced with the problem of a blocked toilet, it is a very common though often rather unpleasant matter to be dealt with, so if you are unhappy about it you should leave it to an expert.
However, if you are quite happy to tackle the task, you should find it relatively simple in most cases to solve the problem of a blocked toilet.
A blockage is usually caused as a result of
Continually flushing the toilet is only likely to result in the pan overflowing and resulting in a flood of the room.
Put some newspaper or old towels on the floor around the toilet pan in case of spillage
If your toilet pan is already full of water you should remove some using a bowl or cup.
If using a plunger, press down firmly, then pull upwards slowly until you hear the water escaping down the pipe. Pushing down and then pulling up will create suction inside the plunger head, which will draw out the blockage and encourage it to go down the pipe. Be prepared to plunge about a dozen times before the blockage clears.
It is possible to use cotton yarn mop, these have a round head made up of a number of strands, you can place the head in a plastic carrier bag and tie it very securely. Although this is a riskier method and you do have to make sure that you do not exert unnecessary force, this can be used as a plunger quite effectively by following the same procedure as the plunger.
Use an antiseptic cleanser if available to clean the plunger, if you use a mop you can turn the bag inside out and dispose of it.
If you find that you have not been able to clear the blockage using the plunger, you can try using a wire coat hanger which should be carefully unwound first. By moving the wire back and forth using a circular motion, try to free the blockage..
If the blockage has not freed, it is wise to consider abandoning the DIY method and resort to calling in an expert. However, if you have a flexible cleaning tool you could try to dislodge the blockage with that. Push the flexible cleaning tool down until you feel the obstruction, try to move the tool around the edge if you can to dislodge it, but if it shows too great a resistance you should avaiod using force.
Assuming that the blockage has cleared, it is safe to flush the toilet, but ensure that the blockage does not simply re-block further along the pipework.
Pour some toilet cleaner, household bleach or disinfectant to clear and disinfect the bowl.
In the event that all these methods have failed to unblock your toilet, there will almost certainly be a problem further along the soil pipe or in the drain run itself. Do not be surprised if your neighbours are suffering a similar problem. You will need to call out an expert plumber to deal with such a problem.
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]]>The post Blocked Drains appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>How do you know if your drain is blocked?
If your drain is blocked you will usually know because your waste will back-up when you flush the toilet, or the gullies outside will begin to overflow. There will also probably be an unpleasant smell around the drains and/or any inspection chambers. If none of your neighbours are affected by it then the likelihood is that your drain is blocked. If your neighbours are also affected, it is most likely that there is a problem within the sewer itself.
What should you do if your drain is blocked?
Responsibility for the clearance of any blockages and repairs to private drains usually lies with the owner of the property. You should check first to see if you are covered by any insurance schemes you may possess. If you cannot clear the blockage yourself, you should contact a specialist drainage contractor or plumber to clear the drain and/or carry out any repairs.
If you try to unblock a drain using drain rods rotate them in a clockwise direction as you move them, this should prevent them from separating and causing an even bigger problem. If you are unsure whether you will be able to solve the problem without causing additional problems, you should call a drainage expert.
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]]>The post Blocked sinks appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>Blocked sink?
Water not running away normally?
What can you do before calling an expert?
Novice
First, try using a plunger to clear the blockage, you may have to block the overflow to prevent any pressure from simply escaping there. If this doesn’t work, it may mean that the pipe below the sink is blocked.
DIY
Put the plug into the plug hole and place a bucket under the pipe. Unscrew the pipe carefully ensuring that the bucket is correctly positioned below to catch any water that escapes. Rinse the pipe out thoroughly, removing anything that may be blocking it, typically fats, hair or foodstuffs depending on the location of the sink will create an obstruction over time if not kept clear. If it seems clear, then the blockage may be in the waste pipe, use a piece of stiff wire to poke it clear. Fix the pipe back below the sink let the water run away. Pour boiling water down and washing up liquid down the plug to ensure that it is fully clear.
Expert
If these procedures have not resulted in successfully solving the problem, it is important that you consult an expert. They will be able to ascertain the cause of the problem and find a safe solution without risking damage to the system.
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]]>The post Drain Cleaning Products appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>Mindful of the fact that you can create more trouble than you have already, there are a number of options that people try and frequently they can get things moving again.
Proprietary drain cleaning products like One Shot (available from B&Q) and Jeyes Fluid Drain Unblocker, use powerful chemicals to attack blockage material. Most use sulphuric acid or sodium hydroxide which iare dangerous chemicals if used carelessly and can easily result in injury.
If you use these products, make sure you follow the standard safety advice:
One method that often works is the vinegar/bicarbonate of soda method:
The hot water and baking soda breaks down sludge and the violent chemical reaction created by the addition of vinegar moves blockage material.
While these methods can be very successful on household plumbing, external plumbing will usually require specialist expertise.
If you are unsure it is always best to give us a call, we are only too pleased to help.
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]]>The post Avoid the cowboys! appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>Unless you have experience in these matters, it is all too easy to fall victim to unscrupulous traders. These are the people that advertise with a mobile phone number and never tell you their address, because it changes so often. They will charge you a fortune to come out and pretend the job is much more difficult than it really is.
The chances are that they will advertise on the web with one of those relatively convincing instant template websites, that you can pick up for a few pounds a month and look as convincing as a real experts site. So how are you supposed to know who will give a really expert service and charge fairly?
Unfortunately, waiting until the cowboys turn up in a battered van with a few rods and a mop, will be too late to avoid an ugly scene ‘at the very least’. So how can you be sure that you are dealing with someone who is reputable?
Name & Registered Office: ALL-CLEAR DRAINAGE LIMITED
| 5 SAUNDERS END | HYDE HEATH | AMERSHAM | BUCKS | HP6 5SH |
| Company No. 04848242 | Status: Active | Date of Incorporation: 28/07/2003 | Country of Origin: United Kingdom | |
| Company Type: Private Limited Company | Nature of Business (SIC): | 4525 – Other special trades construction |
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]]>The post Manhole Covers appeared first on AllClear Drainage Limited.
]]>It is not always easy to remove a manhole cover from over drainage inspection chambers because the cast iron covers are very heavy and if they have not been removed for years there will be rust and soil around the edges. Many domestic manhole covers tend to be oblong and these are usually quite easy to lift up, though sometimes they are round and can prove slightly more difficult to remove.
Use a screwdriver to scrape around the edge and then gently tap around it with a hammer, this should help to loosen it. Should it still prove stubborn you can tap the cover gently with a piece of wood until vibration frees it. Once loosened, use a screwdriver to lift it slightly and then insert a spade under one edge until you can lift it clear.
Sometimes special keys are used to remove the cover, if that is the case usually a strong hook or piece of bent steel will serve just as well. If the cover is secured by screw type bolts, be prepared to use penetration oil before attempting to use a wrench or spanner on them.
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