Do you suspect your channel drain is blocked with dirt, grime, and leaves?
It’s not uncommon for drains to become clogged up with debris, making them inefficient and leading to poor drainage performance.
Spotting a blocked channel drain, and taking the necessary action to clear the blockage, will help to prolong the lifespan of your drains – ensuring they function effectively and preventing maintenance issues from occurring further down the line.
You don’t need a lot of tools or materials to clear a channel drain. For the most part, you simply require a screwdriver and a pair of industrial rubber gloves with long cuffs.
Let’s take a look at what you need to do to make sure your channel drainage performs at its best.
- Identify the blockage
There are a number of signs that indicate your drain is clogged. One of the most obvious is leaking water or a build-up of water. Another is nasty odours.
If you experience any of these with your channel drainage, grab your gloves and a screwdriver. You’re going to need to take a closer look inside the drain to determine what seems to be the problem.
- Remove the grate
To access the main line of the channel drain, you must remove the plastic or metal grating on the top.
In some cases, you may be able to lift the grate off without any tools. If you can’t, you’ll need to locate where the grate is connected to the main channel and unscrew it.
Where the grating ends, there will be a small gap where one length ends and another begins. Carefully wedge your screwdriver in the gap and start to lift the end of the drain until the grate pops off.
Avoid using too much force, as this could cause the grate to snap, meaning you’ll have to buy a replacement.
- Clear the blockage
You’re going to need your gloves for this!
After you’ve lifted the grate off, the next step is to reach into the drain and remove any large debris by hand. Any leaves or moss should be put in your garden waste bin or compost.
Once you’ve disposed of the big chunks, you can then flush your channel drainage using a hosepipe, to remove any leftover debris. Gentle pressure is more than adequate – you don’t need to heavily blast the drain!
As soon as the blockage has been cleared, all that’s left to do is reposition the grate and screw it back into place.
- Is your channel drainage damaged beyond repair?
Keeping on top of your channel drainage with regular maintenance will reduce the likeliness of blockages in the future. However, if your drains are seriously damaged or blocked, you’ll need to replace them.
Fortunately, Build Plumb Plastics stock a wide range of channel drains and accessories, and can help you to determine the most suitable products for your needs.
You can either speak to their experts directly over the phone by calling 01255 258 525 or drop them an email at sales@plasticdrainage.co.uk, and they’ll get back to you shortly.
