that you are dealing with a blocked external drain.

Blocked external drains are one of the most prevalent property problems in Greater Manchester particularly in autumn and winter. Before severe damage can be done, one can locate several cases and fix them.

Here's what you need to know.

1.What causes blockage of drains after a heavy rain?

Even rain does not necessarily lead to it. Rather, storms tend to unveil a current problem that has been accumulating over a period of time.

2.Leaves and Organic Debris

In wet seasons, there is the washing of leaves, moss, and garden litter into the water drains. These substances accumulate in gully pots and underground mains and eventually reduce the flow of water.

3.Mud and Silt Build-Up

Driveways, patios and garden beds may erode soil into the drainage systems during excessive rainfall. Silt accumulates and becomes hard with time reducing the size of the pipe.

Fat, Oil and Grease

When the fats or oils are emptied in the kitchen sinks, they solidify and freeze in underground pipes. Increase in rainfall may raise the amount of water in the system, which cannot handle it - hence backups.

4.Tree Root Intrusion

Manchester has old properties, which are particularly susceptible to root damage. Roots of trees need moisture and may penetrate cracked joints of a pipe resulting in severe blockages and pipe failures.

External drain blocked Manchester after rain?

Rainy seasons are ongoing in Manchester. However, when you have seen that there is standing water around your home, gullies overflowing, and bad smells following rainfall, it is possible

5.Symptoms of a clogged External Drain.

 In case of the following after it has rained, there might be a drainage problem:

The pooling of water around drain covers.

Overflowing gully drains

Slow sink drainage or toilet drainage.

Bad odours outside your house.

Suckling of pipework.

 Disregard of such warning signs may lead to flooding, dampness and expensive structural damages.

 6.What You Can Safely Self-Check.

 These are some of the checks that can be made before a drainage specialist is called.

 Clear Visible Debris

 Lift the drain cover, and clean the surface and mud and leaves with gloves. Do not attempt with any deep drains without implements.

 7.Flush the Drain

 Put a bucket of water in the drain. When it drains slowly, or against, then the obstruction is probably deeper in the ground.

 8.Try Basic Drain Rods

 In case you are sure and the blockage is close by, drain rods can be used to loosen compacted rubbish. Always turn the rods clockwise to ensure that they do not disconnect along the pipe.

 Do not use chemical drain cleaners in an external system, they are not very effective in correcting major blockages and will harm pipework.

 10.When It Could Be a Shopping Mall Sewer Issue.

 Some times the problem does not confine itself on your property. In case neighbours are complaining of drainage or that manholes in the street are overflowing, the blockage could be in the sewer system in the street.

 United Utilities run wastewater services in the Manchester region. They should be listed to report public sewer blockages.

 11.The significance of Quick Action.

 Clogged drains may easily run out of control particularly where there is a high rainfall as in Manchester.

 Delays can lead to:

 Drowned driveways and gardens.

Water oozing in foundations.

Damp and mould growth

Destruction of underground pipework.

Increased repair costs

The more time the water stagnates the more danger to your property.

 12.Professional Drain Unblocking Solutions.

 In case the endeavors fail to solve the issue, professional drainage engineers employ specialist equipment that includes:

 High-pressure water jetting

CCTV drain inspections

Root cutting machinery

Pipe relining systems

 CCTV survey would be of great help in formulating frequent problems or structural damage in the older drainage systems.

 13.Prevention of Future Blockages.

 It is much cheaper to prevent than cure. The following are some of the workable steps:

 Wipe drain covers off regularly.

Install drain guards

Do not place fats and oils down the sink.

Arrange a regular cleaning of drains.

14.Watch places where trees are large around.

 The supply systems of drainage should be periodically inspected to eliminate future occurrences of the same.

 Such a problem as an external drain that is blocked in case of heavy rain is prevalent in Manchester, yet it should not be neglected. Although cleaning up surface debris may be trivial at times, frequent flooding may be an indication of an underlying blockage.

 By acting early, property might be spared damages, cost of repair might also be minimized and proper drainage can be reinstated before the next downpour.

 In the case the issue continues to occur, then a professional check up will be done to find the actual cause of the issue and make sure that your drainage system can manage the uncertain weather in Manchester.