If you deal with plumbing clogs on a regular basis, you might find yourself struggling with bent wire hangers, chemical drain cleaner, and unfamiliar pipes. Unfortunately, unless you are a trained professional, all of your efforts might be in vain. Most people don't realize it, but it is possible to damage your plumbing by making a few missteps. If you use the wrong chemicals or you push a little too hard, you might end up dealing with damaged pipes or your clogging problem could get worse. Fortunately, you might be able to use this blog to help you to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
Now that spring is here, it's time to prepare for the seasonal rains. If you're like most people, you make sure the clean the gutters on your home and make sure that the drainage around the perimeter of your home is prepared for the onslaught. However, there's one area of the house that's usually overlooked and that's the yard drain. Even if you have your main household drains cleaned, you may not think to have the yard drain cleaned, which can lead to serious problems, including the increased risk of flooding in your yard during torrential downpours. To help you avoid that problem, here are three steps you need to take to care for your yard drain.
Keep the Exterior Grates Clear
If you look at your yard drain, you'll notice that it has two exterior grates; one in the yard to catch the flow of water and one at the street to release the flow. Those grates need to be kept clean and clear of debris. If they become clogged with debris, water can't flow through the drain. To ensure that water can flow through the yard drain, you should inspect both covers at least once a week. Remove any visible debris, and then check inside the grates for additional debris that will need to be removed. You should also check the grates after each storm.
Flush the Drain
During dry spells, you may not think your drain needs any attention. However, that's not necessarily the case. In fact, during dry spells, debris and pests can work to clog the drains. To avoid that problem, you should flush your yard drain at least once a week during periods without rain. That way, you keep the drain clear of debris and nesting material that might be in the way. Not only that, but the weekly flushes help keep pests away from the drains.
Provide a Deep Cleaning
In addition to the clearing of debris and the weekly flushing, you should also have your yard drains deep cleaned at least once a year. The best time to do that is when you're having the drains cleaned in the rest of the house. Cleaning your yard drain will remove the built-up debris that can lead to clogs and backups.
Don't risk a flooded yard. If you have a yard drain as part of your home waterproofing strategy, use the tips described above to provide the proper maintenance and keep things flowing. For more information, contact companies like Equisure Inspectors.
Share21 May 2019
