When temperatures soar, most people are thinking about staying cool, protecting their gardens, and enjoying the sunshine. One thing that often goes overlooked during a heatwave, however, is the impact extreme heat can have on your drainage system.
While drains are designed to cope with changing conditions, long periods of hot, dry weather can create the perfect environment for hidden problems to develop.
Tree Roots Become More Active During Dry Weather
One of the biggest drainage issues during a heatwave is tree root ingress.
When the ground becomes dry, trees and plants search for moisture. Unfortunately, underground drains and sewer pipes can provide an easy source of water. Even a small crack or damaged joint in a pipe can allow roots to enter. Once inside, they continue to grow and restrict the flow of wastewater. This can lead to recurring blockages, slow drains, unpleasant smells and, in some cases, damaged pipework.
If you have mature trees close to your property and regularly experience slow-flowing drains or foul smells, a CCTV survey can identify whether root ingress is the cause.
Hot Weather Can Make Drain Smells Worse
Have you noticed unpleasant drain smells during warmer weather?
High temperatures can make existing drainage issues much more noticeable. Small blockages that may have gone unnoticed in cooler months can quickly become a problem as waste breaks down faster in the heat.
Unused drains can also become a source of unpleasant smells during warmer weather. Floor drains, utility room gullies and outdoor drains rely on water traps to prevent sewer gases from entering your property. If these traps dry out due to evaporation or lack of use, odours can become noticeable.
Running water through rarely used drains every few weeks can help maintain the water seal and prevent smells.
Dry Ground Puts Pressure on Pipework
Hot, dry weather can also affect the ground around your drainage system, and with many counties across the country currently under a hosepipe ban, dry ground is becoming more of a noticeable issue for many of us.
During prolonged dry periods, soil can shrink and move. This movement can put extra pressure on underground pipes and worsen existing cracks or damaged joints.
While this won’t happen at every property, it’s another example of why small drainage problems should never be ignored.
Summer Cooking Can Lead to Blockages
Warmer weather often means more outdoor cooking, barbeques and entertaining.
However, fats, oils and grease remain one of the biggest causes of blocked drains. When poured down the sink, they can cool, solidify and build up inside your pipes. Over time, this restricts water flow and can lead to stubborn blockages. Combined with other debris, this can quickly become a big drainage issue.
Always allow cooking fats and oils to cool before disposing of them in your household waste.
Learn more about DALROD’s FOG solutions here.
Prevention Can Help Avoid Costly Repairs
Many drainage problems develop slowly before becoming an emergency. Slow-draining sinks, recurring blockages, gurgling noises and unpleasant smells can all be warning signs that something isn’t quite right.
A professional CCTV drainage survey can identify hidden problems before they lead to flooding, property damage or expensive repairs.
At DALROD, our drainage specialists provide 24/7 support for blocked drains, CCTV surveys and drainage repairs.
Need drainage assistance?
If you’ve noticed drainage issues following the recent hot weather, contact your local DALROD team today. Tackling problems early can help prevent a small issue from becoming a major repair.
