What Are the Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains?

Quite understandably, we very rarely think about our drains until we have a problem with them. But when something does go wrong, it can result in many additional hazards, none of which are going to do your business any good.

In this article, we’re going to explore some of the problems a blocked drain can cause your business and provide guidance and advice on how Need a Tanker can help, whether that’s fixing an existing problem or carrying out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) that can deal with the problem before the impact becomes too damaging.

Common issues with neglected drains

• Blockages
  Perhaps the most common issue that arises in drains, sometimes caused by people putting things down the drains that they shouldn’t, such as wet wipes, oil and grease. However, blockages can also be caused by general debris that gets washed in by rain and stormy weather.
• Structural damage
  There are many drains that are old and in need of replacement. The first signs are likely to be cracks and leaks that cause them to become weakened over time, but could lead to full collapse eventually.
• Root intrusion
  As trees grow, their roots do the same underground. They’re pretty strong and very determined to spread wherever they choose – and that can cause significant damage to a drain if the paths of the two cross.

Can a blocked drain cause damage?

A blocked drain can cause significant damage to your business in many ways. 

• Waste water of all kinds can back up and end up washing into your property.
• By not allowing heavy rain to wash away into the sewers, flooding or pollution issues can result elsewhere.
• If the drain is blocked because of structural damage or root intrusion, the water that persistently seeps out could weaken the ground around your property, potentially leading to structural issues. 
• We’re not just talking about physical damage – your business’ reputation could be severely impacted if you have sewage washing into your property, potentially scaring away customers and leading to your own staff deciding they’d be better off working elsewhere.

Can blocked drains make you ill?

There’s a very good reason why we send waste water into the sewers rather than just dispose of it wherever might be convenient. Much of it can be dangerous to our health and needs to be treated to make it safe for disposal. So having it coming back up through the drains and into your property because it’s got nowhere else to go is going to represent a significant health hazard.

Meanwhile, stagnant water that gathers as a result of a blocked drain can become home to all kinds of bacteria and microorganisms that can lead to waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal illnesses and respiratory issues. 

If that weren’t enough, if food waste is being trapped by the blockage, it can be a magnet for rats, mice, fleas and cockroaches, all of which come with their own set of health hazards. Not to mention seriously unpleasant smells that are also likely to be present, also leading to ill health through headaches, nausea and more.

How to prevent underground drain issues

A blocked drain can happen at any time, but there are things you can do to drastically minimise the possibility.

First, and perhaps most importantly, take extra care about what you put down into them. This is especially important if yours is a business preparing or cooking foodstuffs, as accumulated grease and fat is one of the leading causes of blockages in commercial drains. If this is the case for you, you should have grease traps fitted to prevent such materials ending up in the drains and have them regularly emptied by a licensed grease trap cleaning expert.

Secondly, take advantage of planned preventative measures such as regular CCTV drain surveys. These are a quick and cost-effective way of checking on the condition of the drains on your property, providing visual evidence of developing problems that could lead to significant – and expensive – damage later.

Thirdly, drain jetting is a fast and effective way of washing any materials that are stuck in your drains away, to prevent them turning into more serious blockages later as further debris accumulates around them.

Here at Need a Tanker, we offer an extensive range of drainage services to companies right across the UK, including maintenance and repairs on a scheduled or one-off basis. If you’d like to know more, or you’d like a competitive quote for work at your commercial premises, please get in touch with our friendly advisers today.