Caring For Your Drains in Winter

Here in the UK, we experience extreme drops in temperature and harsh weather conditions during the Winter. It is during these colder months where we become increasingly dependent on the drainage systems in our homes. However, few people truly realise how beneficial it can be to perform checks and maintenance on their drains before we reach those colder mornings. In today’s blog, we’ll go over all the things you need to know about caring for your drains before and during winter.

Make Sure Your Pipes Are Insulated

One of the most common problems we encounter with drainage systems during the winter is burst pipes. When the weather drops considerably (particularly to freezing or near-freezing temperatures) the water inside the pipes turns to ice and expands. This significantly increases the pressure inside the pipes and can lead to ruptures. You may not notice this happening until the temperatures begin to rise once more and the ice returns to its liquid state.

Insulating your pipes can reduce the risk of this happening, maintaining a consistent temperature regardless of the external environments. You can buy pipe insulation from most DIY stores and can even consider heat tape if working with thinner pipes. As a precaution, drain all pipes that aren’t going to be used during the winter (especially if you have an unoccupied property).

Repair All Leaks as Early as Possible

You want to make sure all leaks are repaired at the end of Summer before the harsh weather comes into play. This will benefit you on multiple levels – not only should you expect to pay less for small-scale repairs but you’ll also minimise the risk of more serious damage, should the leaks and cracks have been left. Do a visual inspection of your drainage systems at the end of summer and make sure to call in professional drains and water experts to help.

The Benefits of Latent Heating

There are several ways to reduce the risk of burst pipes and other low-temperature-related damage. Using latent heating and leaving your heating on at a low level throughout the colder months will keep water at a consistent temperature.

Clear Out Drain Grates

Keep an eye on your external drain grates. During Winter, debris from leaves and animals can block up these drainage passages. And, over time, this can lead to more significant damage or even attract pests looking for somewhere warm to nest. If you see a build-up of leaves, twigs or organic matter, remove it as early on as possible.

Caring for your drains during winter is something that every homeowner can easily integrate into their seasonal checks. If you need any further advice or professional support, get in contact with our expert team here at West Country Drainage.