No matter how seemingly efficient a drainage system is, initially, there comes the point in time where maintenance is necessary. Like all other systems, drains over time would experience some hiccups or wear & tear. Both outdoor and indoor drains have an equal chance of problems. Timely maintenance and cleaning can help with keeping your drainage in check and working well. Yes, it is dirty work and troublesome at times to engage plumbing service every few months. But here are five reasons why drainage should be maintained regularly.
Water draining into a sink.
Preventing serious drain clogs
Many things could enter your drains and clog it up. Drain debris could be things like hair, soap scum, grease, and even coffee grounds. There are also reports in some cases of tree roots clogging drains due to cracks in the pipe that allowed tree roots to grow inside. Even drain grates are also unable to filter out small debris. The grates sometimes can even be the clog themselves, with debris clogging up all the drain cover openings.
To repair any significant problems created by the clog at that point would be a lot more expensive and time-consuming. Fortunately, frequent checks and maintenance can reduce the chances of a significant clog. Regular cleaning and inspection help to ensure very few debris are left stuck. It can also help extend the lifespans of drainage accessories. Accessories like pipes, catch basins, drain grates, etc. are prone to or permanent staining due to exposure to dirt and grime.
Reduce lingering odors
A lingering stench in a space is one of the few signs of under-maintained drainage. Over time, debris or mold stuck in any drain accessories tends to produce a foul smell. Depending on the location of the clog in the drainage system, It could also trap sewer water, adding to the foul stench. If left uncleaned, the odor could become the next air “freshener” of the area.
Luckily, a good wash down and cleaning can get rid of the smell in no time. Drain grates should be cleaned as well, as mold and dirt can also retain on the underside or between the openings. A good cleaning also guarantees indoor spaces are odor-free and avoid potential backflow/stagnant of sewer/toilet water into the indoor areas.
A safer and cleaner outdoors
What happens indoors can happen outdoors, as well. When drains outdoors get clogged, it can lead to a few inflowed water retention problems. For one, it becomes an ideal insect breeding ground. A build-up puddle of water with the constantly soaked surrounding soil is like a breeding buffet spot for many insects, especially mosquitoes. That same water body could also make floors slippery, which poses a danger to anyone using that outdoor space. The surrounding landscape can get affected. Plants might die off, and the surrounding soil could erode due to excess water present.
Water puddles after rain.
If a small body of water were to start forming, it is best to do some quick checks and clearing quickly. A forming water puddle indoors, or outdoors is some early signs that likely a block or restrain is present somewhere in your drainage.
Keeping your drainages clear
While a drain block might give away many early signs, drainage maintenance is always like the saying, “Prevention is better than cure.” Having frequent checks and maintenance can help to offset later problems that might be harder to resolve. It is also worth noting these potential issues when planning a drainage system for buildings. A well-planned drainage system could improve the maintenance, with more access points to pipes and drainage accessories or placed in easy to reach areas.
