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Damp is such a common problem in the UK and we’re not just talking about the weather. Damp in our homes is something everyone comes across at some point. It can be very problematic, depending on the cause, and very tricky to get rid of.

Common causes of damp

The first step to solving damp problems is assessing what the cause is. The most common cause of damp in a property is condensation. Condensation causes mould to grow which appears in the form of those annoying little black dots. This happens when moist air comes in contact with a cold wall or window.

Another common cause is rain penetration which occurs when rain gets through the walls. This usually causes discolouration and peeling or flaking paintwork or wallpaper.

Could your drains be the cause?

Besides the two causes above, leaking pipes can also cause a problem with damp. This can lead to more serious problems like penetrating damp and wet rot so the problem is best looked at as early as possible.

If you’ve found damp patches at your home, check the following:

• Are downpipes or gutters in the area faulty or leaking?
• Are your drains or downpipes blocked? A blockage could cause a leak in a pipe joint
• Is there any damage to your pipes or drains? Check for cracks or faulty joints.

Pay particular attention to areas like bathrooms and kitchens where there’s a lot of water drainage present. Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly prone to developing damp because of this. In these rooms, check the sealing around showers, baths and sinks. If it’s coming away or corroded, this could be what’s causing your damp problems.

Getting help

If you need help in diagnosing the problem or suspect that drains are the cause, get in touch with Drain Brains on 0151 522 0736 for the Wirral area or 01244 455 354 for Chester.

In a lot of cases the problem is an easy fix. If the problem is a bit more serious, we promise to solve it as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If you’re having problems with your drains it can be a difficult task to inspect and diagnose without digging into the ground. Luckily there is a handy alternative – CCTV drain inspection.

A CCTV drain inspection involves a small camera being pushed through drains to see exactly what’s going on beneath the surface.  It’s a non-invasive way to check the condition of your pipes before any destructive groundwork is undertaken where it’s unnecessary.

Unsure whether you’ll need one? Here are some reasons you may need or want a CCTV drain inspection.

Persistent blockages

Clearing one blockage is a good start but if it keeps coming back with a vengeance, then it’s a larger problem that may need further inspection.

This usually happens when people try to clear the blockage themselves with chemicals or rods pushed down the drain. This can clear the problem temporarily but it often doesn’t take care of the sticky residue that can remain on the edges of the pipe. Over time, it can collect more debris and lead to further blockages you have to sort out again and again.

Hidden leaks

If you’re finding trouble with water pressure it could be due to a leak in the system. These are not always easy to spot and a thorough inspection may be required. This will help to pinpoint the exact location of the faulty pipe which can then be replaced or repaired.

You’re buying a house

Buying and moving into a new house is always stressful and you’ve no doubt got 101 things to think about. Drains are probably not at the top of your list but they are also important to consider. Drains are so important to the functioning of a property. If there’s an underlying problem, you really need to know about it and soon.

Not all the usual surveys you pay for when buying a property will cover drainage inspections. Any blockages or leaks might not be noticeable until after living there for a few weeks or months. By then it’s all your problem and responsibility to foot the bill for repairs. If you can check these problems out before you buy, you can then make an agreement with the vendor to solve the problem before moving in.

You’re selling a house

The same goes for the point above, if you know there are drainage problems and are looking to sell your house, an inspection is a good move to ensure there are no snags in the selling process.

You can also tell prospective buyers that the drains have been well maintained and inspected so that they’re reassured about going through with the sale. This means that you won’t get angry buyers contacting you over drainage problems or trying to back out of a sale.

At Drain Brains we provide full CCTV drain inspections to help us diagnose and get to work solving the problem quickly and efficiently. Give us all call on 0151 522 0736 for the Wirral area and 01244 455 354 for Chester.

Winter is here.

For those who live with vulnerable pipes, indoor or outdoor, or encounter troublesome yearly drain build-up, the cold climate can often be a period of struggle and financial concern. So, make sure you’re protected this year; take the right precautions in advance to pre-empt drain build-up and frozen pipes. Make it through the colder months stress-free and financially better off.

A research study conducted by the Met Office exhibited how 75% of people are unsure if their pipes are insulated and protected against freezing, suggesting how residents aren’t following the right procedures to protect their waste systems before temperatures plummet.

Make sure it’s just your Christmas belly that’s bursting in the colder months, not your pipes or drains

Insulate

Prepare for the worst; locate the pipes that could be at potential risk and ensure you have the correct equipment; pick up affordable foam insulation from local hardware shops and envelope appropriately. The foam retains heat and prevents condensation – occurring from contact between insulation products – stopping moisture and damp. If it’s usually your boiler that is affected, by result of a frozen condensate pipe, purchase a thermal cylinder jacket to: maintain hot running water, cut heating costs and reduce temperature losses by 75%.

Space Heater

Shop electrical heaters to place in cooler areas where internal pipes are located, such as attics and garages. During the lowest temperatures, plug-in fans may be your saving grace, as they target freezing points and keep pipes toasty.

Switch on the heating and open doors!?

Did you know that being frugal with your heating bills this winter can actually cost you in the long run? Halifax home insurance states central heating should be kept at a minimum of 10 degrees. Keeping your thermostat at a consistent temperature throughout the darker months ensures warm water is regularly running through pipes to prevent freezing – this applies when you go on holiday too. However, if you have a frost protection thermostat, this should regulate temperature automatically without you having to keep the heating on – nifty.

Additionally, leaving internal doors ajar helps to circulate warm air, enhancing the hot airflow throughout the home. Contrary to popular attitudes of shutting doors to “trap the heat in”, this method paradoxically influences temperature levels to spread and rise effectively.  

Check your drains

Keep on top of your waste-water activity. If you’re becoming more and more familiar with unusual smells, less effluent drainage and strange noises then your system probably isn’t functioning as efficiently as it should – this isn’t an ideal situation whatever the weather, but particularly not during freezing climates. Here are a few fixes to maintain a healthy drain:

Pour hot water down your drains regularly to remove the build-up of grease. But to be extra cautious, pour fat and oils into a carton and dispose of it separately – in your bins – so that it avoids your sink. Also be mindful of large food that could become lodged, install a drain protector so that pieces don’t slip through the gaps.

Your external drain also needs maintenance. Regularly keep on top of falling debris that can clog your outdoor system. Again, we recommend fitting a weatherproof drain cover to protect your drain from becoming blocked.

Tried our tips and tricks and still experiencing drainage issues? If your clogged up system is out of your hands, get in touch.

Water companies in England and Wales have set out plans to cut or hold prices for millions of customers.

United Utilities, Severn Trent and Thames Water made pledges after a political and regulatory backlash against their performance this year.

United Utilities and Severn Trent said that they would cut customer bills by 10.5% and 5% respectively from 2020.

United Utilities said that this would amount to a saving of £45 a year per customer. They have also promised to invest £750m in producing a “major water resilience scheme” for customers throughout Manchester and the Pennines.

Severn Trent’s 5% reduction in bills would be aided by new pipelines which will achieve 13% efficiency in spending. They also plan to spend £6.6bn in improvements between 2020 and 2025.

Thames Water said that they would hold bills at the same rate but plan to return £20m to shareholders compared to £100m it returned in the previous year.

Ofwat’s pricing review

Industry watchdog Ofwat has asked water companies to outline a business plan, detailing how they intend to charge customers between 2020 and 2025, as part of their 2019 price review.

Michael Gove, environment minister warned water companies over their “concerning” behaviour back in February. He urged them to do more to tackle leakage which rose 2% to 3.183 billion litres per day in 2017-18.

Thames Water said recently that it plans to invest £11.7bn in upgrades by 2025, including £2.1bn to “boost resilience and reduce leakage”. They say they want to cut leaks by 15% and reduce pollution incidents by 18%.

This comes after Ofwat ordered Thames Water to pay back £65m to customers as part of a £120m package of penalties.

Ofwat also reprimanded Thames Water, Severn Trent, South East Water and Southern Water for their inadequate responses during the cold weather spell, the “Beast from the East” in February and March.

John Russell, a senior director at Ofwat said: “We’ve reached a key milestone in our price review process. From now until January 2019, we’ll pore over each and every business plan and we’ll be looking for evidence that they are robust, ambitious and, crucially, that they have been shaped by customers.

“All companies have had an opportunity to develop high-quality plans but where plans aren’t sufficiently ambitious or stretching, we’ll step in to protect customers and the environment.”

Tony Smith, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water said: “This price review could define the future of the water industry in England and Wales. It represents a key opportunity for water companies to restore consumer trust by proving to their customers that they’re taking positive and decisive action.”