What Typically Is Involved in Drainage Services?

What Typically Is Involved in Drainage Services?

Keeping your home’s drainage system in good condition helps prevent water accumulation, flooding and other problems. You can stop problems before they get worse by conducting routine inspections. A drainage system is a series of pipes, tunnels, trenches and other structures designed to remove rainwater and waste.

Specialty Drains for Businesses

Hospitality facilities, such as hotels and theme parks, use their drains extensively each day. While most hospitality operators attempt to mitigate the formation of drain clogs with posted signage detailing proper waste disposal practices, it’s in these establishments’ best interest to schedule professional drainage services annually at a minimum to avoid unnecessary business interruptions.

Commercial kitchens produce a high volume of fats, oils and cooking greases that easily create moderate to severe drain clogs. Even with diligent food prep staff properly disposing of these substances in designated receptacles, it’s not uncommon for food particles to find their way into the drain lines and coagulate with exposure to cool temperatures. Restaurants, grocery stores and other food manufacturing and processing facilities rely heavily on their drains to function efficiently. 

Specialty Drains for Pools and Fountains

Fountains often require trench drains to contain splashed water. These drains may be indoor or outdoor designed to handle pedestrian or vehicular traffic. The grates are ADA-compliant and can be made of stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, ductile iron, fiberglass or HDPE. These drainage systems are often highly decorative and can have custom grates that match the overall aesthetic of the fountain.

Draining pools and fountains must be done properly to avoid contributing directly to the irrigation system. Backwash discharges from these structures contain chemicals that can affect the health of creeks and bay water quality. It’s important to consider pollution prevention options like using water restoration systems onsite instead of draining and considering alternatives to backwashing into the street or storm drains, such as the ADEQ de minimis permit program.

These permits are available online or through the City Clerk’s Office. Also, consider implementing pollution prevention best practices such as proper chemical levels to minimize the need for draining.

Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged gutters cause the same problems as clogged roofs, and if left unchecked over time, water can overflow, causing expensive damage to your home. Functional downspouts help to divert the rain away from your house and landscape and ensure that any potential standing water does not get absorbed into the soil, which can lead to foundation shifts and cracking.

Downspout clogs also allow water to drip over the gutter’s sides and onto walkways or entries, resulting in slippery surfaces. If your downspout is clogged, getting up on a ladder and using a hose with decent pressure is a good idea.

Start at the bottom of the downspout and work your way up to see if any debris falls out. If not, use a tool handle to tap along the downspout length to dislodge the clog forcefully. If this is unsuccessful, you may disconnect the downspout from its underground drain and remove the clog by hand.

Clogged Sewers and Drains

The drain lines in your home carry wastewater away from sinks, toilets and bathtubs to the main sewer line. When this line becomes clogged, it can prevent wastewater from exiting your home. It can cause plumbing issues, backup of sewage and an unpleasant odor. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are the biggest contributors to clogged drains and sewer lines.

When poured down the drain, these substances seem liquid, but they will solidify as they cool, forming a barrier and trapping debris in your pipes. Soap scum, hair and other debris can also build up in your drains, creating blockages preventing water from flowing freely through your pipes.

A qualified plumber can assist you in locating the root of your issue and selecting the most appropriate remedy. Sometimes, a clogged drain or sewer line may need to be replaced entirely. It is more costly, but it may be necessary if the clog has caused damage to your piping or the septic system.

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