Why Proactive Autumn Drain Maintenance is Key to Preventing Floods and Freezes

Happy Unblocktober!

Just in case you’ve missed it, the last five years has seen this nationwide campaign and awareness month steadily growing and at OUTCO we’re big fans. Unblocktober aims to “improve the health of our drains, sewers, watercourses and seas” by reversing the bad habits that lead to blocked drains, floods and environmental damage through pollution.

Unblocktober falls just as OUTCO’s winter maintenance service teams are working with our clients to prepare them for the season ahead and on-site drainage should always be a significant area of focus as we transition through autumn into the winter season.  As outdoor maintenance experts with a pedigree of over 20 years, we have seen first-hand just what poor drainage can do to a property and would always recommend a pro-active approach to drain maintenance.

Running every October, the campaign invites us to think about the potential harm of rubbish, autumn leaves and fats that get chucked, flushed or poured into our drains and sewers. As drain cleaning and drain unblocking specialists, OUTCO always recommend prevention rather than cure wherever possible.

Whether it’s a commercial or residential property, major blockages can produce real downstream impacts to cashflow as well as to free flowing drainage. With autumn and winter bringing heavier rainfall, these costs can extend far beyond the costs of drain repair or pipe cleansing, but also need to be understood in terms of the costs of flood damage to property and of the disruption to business as usual.

As a rule, pre-emptive winter management is key to keeping estates functional, accessible, and safe for employees, customers, and visitors throughout the winter season and clearing drains is a vital step in this process. Blocked drains that cause ponding in car parks and around pathways or water build up within drains and manholes can create serious safety risks in icy conditions – and can increase the cost and complexity of winter gritting and snow clearance. Hence, autumn is a great time to get ahead of these potential risks.

Even though Unblockober is still a bit niche for many people to be celebrating, you may therefore wish to consider some thoughtful gifts for your outdoor estates. Delivered nationwide, OUTCO’s drain maintenance services include drain cleaning, drain unblocking, drain repair, and drain inspection.

Maintaining a regular programme of inspections is especially important to proactively identify potential issues. Thanks to our advanced drain inspection services, OUTCO can provide detailed reports on the condition of your drains along with recommendations for ongoing maintenance. Where issues are discovered, we can take on blockages via high-pressure water jetting and mechanical tools . In case of cracked drains, leaks or persistent blockages, we can also carry out drain repairs with a comprehensive suite of services that includes advanced techniques such as No-dig technology and pipe relining.

During autumn a major cause of drainage issues and flooding is the build-up of leaves that clog drains. At this time of year, leaf blowing and clearance is a vital task for OUTCO’s proactive grounds maintenance teams. While this keeps things tidy and supports healthier landscapes, it’s important not to forget how critical this is for keeping drains operating as they should. Like so much in outdoor FM, so many tasks are connected and co-dependent – tidier sites promote clearer drains, proactive drain inspections prevent floods and dangerous ice build-up. Maybe it’s this shared ethos of circular, sustainable and long-term thinking that makes us applaud the Unblocktober campaign.

To learn more, visit https://www.unblocktober.org

For more information on OUTCO’s drain maintenance services, click here