High pressure drain cleaning: What's involved?

Blocked drains can be smelly, inconvenient and unhealthy. A blocked drain can create a lot of problems and it is always best to try and avoid such a situation in the first place. Simple strategies such as trying to avoid solids and fats going down a drain, and not planting trees nearby can help. But if you do find yourself with a badly blocked drain, high pressure drain cleaning is an effective solution.

High pressure drain cleaning

Put simply, high pressure drain cleaning is a technique whereby a very high pressure of water is delivered to the problem area of the drain via a long hose that is fed into it, pushing the blockage through. It has advantages over other methods of cleaning blocked drains, and is generally the most effective DIY solution.

There are several things to consider if you need your drains cleaned:

• It is worth remembering that the technique will work best if the drains themselves are of a good quality. Good quality drains may also help prevent problems in the first place of course, but because you are dealing with water that is highly pressurised, there is some potential to damage the structural integrity of the drain if it is old
• There are a variety of DIY fittings that can be bought very cheaply and fitted to existing water outlets that will provide a high pressure drain cleaning option
• You can also hire units including mobile pumps that run on electricity or fuel which will deliver a more 'professional' cleaning option. Which of these options you use depends partly on what the cause of the actual blockage is
• In the case of blockages caused by tree roots, high pressure drain cleaning may not be enough to break them up. In this case you will need an 'electric eel' or 'snake', which is a long hose with a 'head' on it that 'eats' through blockages. Traditionally copper sulphate solution poured down the drain has been used to clear tree roots, but pouring chemicals down drains is not recommended for safety reasons
• In the case of a serious tree root blockage, it may be a better option to hire a professional to clear it
• Remember that you are not legally allowed to tamper with public drains and sewers, so if you feel that this may be the problem, you will need to contact the council

Using high pressure drain cleaning

If you are facing the mess and smell of a blocked drain, a high pressure drain cleaner may be the best solution. Hire a unit, or buy a hose fitting to do the job yourself, but do make sure that you hire a professional for any serious blockage. Once your drain is clean, avoid the problem recurring by taking care about what goes down your drains.