How to prevent concrete getting down drains?
Since the appearance of concrete in drains is often caused by absent-mindedness or pure accident, it can often be difficult to pinpoint exactly how to prevent concrete from entering drains. However, here are some tips for keeping tabs on the problem.
- Unsure if your drain is affected by concrete in the first place? It’s wise to get a drain survey from a professional such as Express Drainage Solutions, who will be able to use state-of-the-art cameras to establish if a blockage is building. If the footage confirms there is a problem arising, it can spur you on to put more preventative measures and resolutions.
- A simple step would be to brief any construction workers who are carrying out a project at your site, whether that’s a home renovation or a large-scale commercial build. Just make them aware of how they can avoid concrete going down drains by washing their tools and equipment in designated places, away from drains. These measures will be different depending on your home/site and how it’s laid out. Also request that any leftover wet concrete or cement is not washed into drains, and disposed of in an alternative way.
- Do your research on reputable concrete companies or building professionals who will be more likely to follow best practices, and this way you can trust more in their ability to prevent concrete from ending up in the drains.
- If a concrete blockage is the result of a hole boring, this is done by human error and is very difficult to prevent. The best thing to do is to remove the blockage as soon as possible before the condition of the pipes worsens – especially since concrete gets harder the longer it’s left.
What to do if you discover concrete in a drain on your site
Once you have established that concrete has definitely entered your drains and is causing a problem, which can be done through a professional CCTV drain survey, the next stage is to remove the concrete as soon as possible.
The most popular method is drain jetting, which comes with its own issues. Using water to blast through the concrete is a time-consuming and costly process – in severe cases of concrete blockages, it can actually result in breakage of the pipes, which will then need replacement.
Luckily, there is a modern alternative, known as hydro cutting. Like drain jetting, it still uses water to cut through the concrete. However, hydro cutting is an advanced, precise system which uses computer-controlled hydro cutting robots to accurately remove the concrete in a fraction of the time compared to standard drain jetting. This saves time and labour costs, and thanks to the accuracy of this technique, the likelihood of the pipes breaking is also reduced.
Searching for advanced hydro cutting technology to remove concrete blockages in your drains?
Here at Express Drainage Solutions, we’re one of the only companies in the UK who use this state-of-the-art technology, and we arrive quickly and directly to your location. This swift service means that your project can resume once again with minimal hassle, cost or impact on schedule. To find out more about our hydro cutting services contact us today.
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