Autumn Drain Maintenance: How to Keep Pesky Leaves From Causing a Flood

Autumn can be a tough time for drains. For starters, autumn can bring a lot of adverse and extreme weather, such as storms and heavy rain. Combined with the falling of the leaves at this time of year, drains are at risk of becoming clogged and blocked. A drain blockage can quickly cause a drain to overflow, which can flood the nearby area -- including your home. If you're worried about your house becoming damaged by a flooded drain during autumn, here are 3 precautions you need to take.

Rake Regularly

The easiest way to keep your drains clear is to ensure you rake your leaves often. As soon as you notice the leaves beginning to fall, it's time to get out your garden tools and start clearing them up. Don't just rake your leaves into a pile -- make sure you bag them up and dispose of them to avoid them dispersing again and entering your drain. You may also want to politely advise your neighbours to do the same thing to avoid their leaves blowing into your drain, or their drains overflowing onto your property.

Drain Guards & Strainers

There are numerous purpose-built products on the market that stop leaves from entering your drain. Drain guards and strainers are commonly used to cover a drainage hole, with small gaps that are just large enough to allow water to pass through. If you don't have one of these already, it's a good idea to get one installed as a precaution. If you do have one, make sure you keep it functioning at its best by clearing the leaves around it often to prevent overflow.

Clean Your Gutters

It's not just your drain itself that can become clogged with leaves. Foliage can fall into gutters, which stream down into drains and cause blockages. Remember to clear your gutter as often as you rake your leaves. If there are only a few leaves in your gutter (which there should be if you maintain it often) you can use a gutter hook or wet and dry vacuum to remove them. If your gutter is already very clogged, it's best to call a professional who can access the roof safely and remove all the debris.

If your drain is already blocked with leaves, you'll need to get the problem sorted as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more opportunity your drain will have to become flooded with stormwater, potentially damaging your home. If this is the case for you, contact a drain cleaning company, such as RMC, at the earliest opportunity to have your drain unblocked.

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