Author: BDS One base Media

  • 5 Strange Things Found in Drains

    5 Strange Things Found in Drains

    Have you ever wondered what caused your blocked pipes or why there was recently blocked sewer drains?

    While at the time, experiencing a blocked drainage pipe or sewer may be incredibly annoying, it is interesting to find out what caused the problem. Generally, it is because we have been flushing things down the toilet which should not be flushed, however, many strange things have been found in drains and sewer systems.

    While there are many causes of blocked sewers, we are going to share with you stories on 5 strange things found in drains.

    Alligator Found in Sewer

    The stories about alligators in sewers is true in Tampa, Florida’s sewers!

    An alligator 14ft in length has been found in a sewer in Tampa – unsurprising to hear that the workers of that sewer got quite a bit of a scare!

    Florida usually finds a couple of alligators every year in their sewage system, one of the popular stories dating back to June 2016, with an 11ft decomposing alligator being found in a storm drain by some plumbers after several complaints were made about a bad smell.

    Got something strange blocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

    Gross Things Found in Sewers

    You may have heard of the popular story back in November 2014 about London sewers blocked, which were causing big problems with the publics drainage system.

    With the Thames Water blocked sewer services being called out, it was shocking to hear that down in London sewers was a 66ft fatburg. The fatburg created of faeces, sanitary products and wet wipes blocked sewers in Westminster.

    People Found Living in Las Vegas Sewers

    Welcome to the City of Las Vegas sewers. In this unbelievable story, we found that Las Vegas’ sewers have been transformed into an underground house, with around 1,000 people living in the sewers.

    The homeless community have created a life for themselves living in the storm drain system. While they have made it a homely environment through collecting unwanted furniture to make it a comfier place to live, it is also an extremely dangerous location for them, considering the flash-floods that could potentially wash them away, along with it being extremely dark with barely any natural light.

    Piranhas Found in Sewers

    In April 2014, one of the weirdest things found in the sewers in the Midlands, was when residents noticed and complained about a fishy smell coming from the drains.

    Lucky they had complained as it turned out there were 6 man-eating piranhas. While the 6 piranhas were found dead, the local residents feared the possibility that there could be more of them alive in the sewers.

    Baby Found in Sewers

    The strangest thing found in the sewer (while also being one of the most horrifying stories) was a baby who was left abandoned in a drain in Sydney not long after he was born. This occurred in March 2016 and the baby suffered from bleeding to the brain. He was luckily found by two cyclists five days later and appears to be in a healthy condition. The mother admitted she feared disapproval from her family, so left her baby son down a stormwater drain.

  • What are the Causes for a Blocked Toilet?

    What are the Causes for a Blocked Toilet?

    Despite what we may think about blocked toilets, it is not the end of the world.
    There are many quick and easy ways to try to fix a clogged toilet yourself before you need to call out for help.

    What are the Main Causes for a Blocked Toilet?

    • Children flushing toys and food down the toilet
    • Women flushing away feminine hygiene products.
    • Too much tissue being flushed down.
    • Nappies can cause immediate blockage and baby wipes after being built up over time can block the toilet.
    • Items such as cotton wool pads which absorb water can also eventually cause a blockage.

    How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

    Unclogging a toilet can seem like a lot of hassle, but it doesn’t have to be if you know the right tricks.

    If you don’t have a plunger, then another way to unclog a toilet would be through using a drain cleaning chemical. Pour the chemical down the toilet and after 15 minutes, anything blocking your toilet should have broken down.

    You will know when it is working, due to the water level in the toilet decreasing. When the water level is low, flush the toilet and it should be back in running order.

    How to Plunge a Toilet

    Are you unsure of how to unclog a toilet with a plunger? With our step-by-step instructions, there is no need to panic.

    Need help unblocking your toilet? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

    Firstly, you must ensure your plunger has a fold out rubber cap that is specifically designed for the opening of the toilet trap.

    Push the toilet plunger down, pushing firmly against the toilet trap, then pull it back without allowing the plunger to leave the trap.

    Repeat this several times, making sure you apply the same amount of pressure when both pushing and pulling the plunger.

    If it is working, the water level in the toilet will go down.

    When the water level is low, flush the toilet. If you notice that the water takes a while to go down still, then use the plunger again. If there is still no improvement then use the toilet auger.

    Toilet Auger

    When all else fails, then it is time to use the toilet auger (otherwise known as a toilet snake).
    What is an auger, you ask? An auger is shaped like a J and is made up of a cable and a handle.

    Wondering how to use a toilet auger? Here’s how:

    Firstly pull the handle out and put the tip of the toilet auger into the toilet trap.
    Turning the handle, fully extend the cable down the trap to help budge any tough spots down the toilet’s u-trap.

    After repeating this a few times you should gradually see the water level go down.
    Once it is at a low level, reverse the handle, taking the auger out of the toilet, so that you can flush the toilet.

    If all three of these methods failed to work, then it is time to call us to supply you with our blocked toilet repair and maintenance services.

  • Clearing a Blocked Drain Advice

    Clearing a Blocked Drain Advice

    Knowing how to unblock drains yourself is a handy tip to know, since it can save you money and is a problem that can happen extremely easily.

    Blocked drains are a regular occurrence during autumn, due to leaves falling off the trees and blocking our drainage system, which is why we are offering you some quick and simple blocked drain solutions and advice.

    What Equipment You Will Need:

    • Protective glasses
    • Rubber gloves
    • Broom
    • Screwdriver
    • Drain rod
    • Trowel
    • Hose
    • Kettle

    Where is the Blockage?

    The first important step to follow, before you can get started on any real work, is working out where the blockage is.

    Blocked drains outside the house can be pretty easy to sort out, making drain cleaning services unnecessary. There are many common causes of blocked drains, one of the most obvious being outside drains blocked with mud, leaves, twigs and stones.

    If you have a blocked drain then you are in luck as this will hopefully be a job you can do yourself. Firstly, clear any debris, sticks and twigs that are surrounding and covering the drain.

    Need help unblocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

    Remove the Gate Covering the Drain

    Using the screwdriver, take the cover of the drain off. If you find any more twigs, sticks and debris inside, then use the trowel to scoop them all out.

    How To Unblock a Drain

    The blockage in your drain may not be all that obvious, which is why we use the drain rod to try to loosen any built up debris at the bottom of the of the drain. Don’t be afraid to apply a bit of pressure, but be careful not to apply too much in case you damage the drain.

    How To Clean a Drain

    Once you have finished using the drain rod to loosen the built up debris, scoop out what you can with the trowel, before rinsing the drain with a hose, to wash down any last bits of dirt.

    How To Fix a Clogged Kitchen Drain

    If your drain is one that comes from the kitchen, then it may be a good idea to rinse the drain with hot water from the kettle, after using the hose to wash it down. This will help to remove any fat and oil that could have built up around it.

    Tidy Up

    Now that your drain should be fully cleared and functioning properly, you can put the grate back on the drain (after giving it a clean from any dirt that may have built up on it) and sweep all of the leaves, twigs and debris away from the drain.

    Drainage Problems Still Occurring?

    Time will tell if your drainage system is functioning properly again, but if that didn’t work, then it is time to give us a call and we will send out our qualified plumbers to provide a thorough drain service to solve all of your drainage problems.

  • Autumn Plumbing Tips: Get your Drains Ready for Winter

    Autumn Plumbing Tips: Get your Drains Ready for Winter

    Winter is quickly approaching and as you can imagine, with the cold weather this can lead to many plumbing issues, which is why we are giving you some of our Autumn plumbing tips to avoid those costly bills over the Christmas break.

    Pipe Thawing

    One of the main tips we suggest is should your water pipes ever freeze up, do not use open flame appliances on the pipe, as this is an extremely common cause for home fires.

    Pipe Repairs

    As the saying goes, “A stitch in time can save nine” which is why we advise you to get any damaged pipes repaired sooner rather than later to save the risk of it being a much bigger job.

    Circulation

    Any pipes that you have under sinks or that are in cabinets beside an outside wall may be in need of circulation which is why simply opening the cabinet doors to let the air get through could help.

    We also suggest opening up rooms with damp problems, keeping cupboard doors, windows and bedroom doors open, to dry the room out, or/and use a dehumidifier.

    Heat Pipes

    To help prevent the pipes from freezing up, we have a number of options to help with this problem:

    Need help unblocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

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    • Use electrical heat tape round the pipes.
    • Cover the pipes with foam insulation wraps.
    • Place a small portable heater nearby, however should you use this option we deeply recommend you take consideration of the risk of a fire along with electrical hazards.
    • Another suggestion is to leave your heating on a low setting while you are out of the house.

    Autumn Waste

    Over the Autumn months, we recommend you to keep an eye on your gutters and drains as they can be easily blocked with twigs, leaves and rubbish. Noticing the problem earlier on can save more problems later.

    Valves

    For any houses with interior shut off valves, which are connected to outdoor faucets, we recommend before the winter weather kicks in that you close and drain them as any water that is still in the lines, could cause major damage if it freezes.

    Sump Pump

    One of the biggest problems that could happen is when your sump pump malfunctions. When this happens it causes a major water leak and your basement floods.

    To avoid this costly and unnecessary scenario from happening before the winter weather arrives take a look and clean out your sump pump.

    Water Heater

    An important job to always remember, is to drain your water heater. It no doubt can easily be forgotten, but we need to remind ourselves of how easy it is for the water heater to get rust inside which can quickly develop. Should this happen, then the rust will quickly contaminate the water that we’re not only washing ourselves in, but that we also use when cooking and drinking.

    Another option, is should your water heater already be old or rusty, then now is the perfect time to get a new one fitted.

    Hoses

    A job easy to neglect is disconnecting the garden hose. It is easy to forget, as we abandon to go into the garden much in the chilly months ahead, but like all of the jobs on this page, it is still important. Should you fail to remember this simple task then any remaining water inside will freeze also causing the faucets and pipes in you home to freeze which means you will have a much bigger and pricey job to fix in the future. So don’t forget to disconnect that hose!

    Drip, Drip, Drip

    Leaky faucets are one of those annoying things that we can never be bothered to fix, but we all know we really should, which is why we are reminding you. It is another pipe related job that is better to fix now rather than when it gets colder and the pipes risk freezing. They are a really simple job to fix – if you don’t know how to then a friend or family member is bound to know.

    Those were our Autumn plumbing tips to prepare your plumbing for the winter months. If for any reason you face any kind of problem BDS emergency plumbers are here to help you 24 / 7.

  • Where Your Water Comes From – Infographic

    Where Your Water Comes From – Infographic

    Do you ever turn on your tap and wonder where the water comes from? this gives you a brief outline of how the water system works.

    Need help unblocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

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    where your water comes from

  • Dropped Something Down The Drain – Retrieval Missions

    Dropped Something Down The Drain – Retrieval Missions

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you’ve ever dropped something small or extremely valuable down the drain, you’ve probably thought it was lost to your forever. But there’s actually a pretty regimented way to get whatever you lost out of there. With some proper tools and a stomach that’ll let you endure some mildly gross steps, you can retrieve items you’ve lost on your own. And even if what you lost isn’t that valuable, it’s best to get it out of there lest you have a clogged drain later down the line.

    Tools You Need

    First and foremost, make sure you turn off the water the moment something gets washed down the drain. If it gets taken beyond the drain, you’ll never see it again unless you feel like going on an incredible adventure through your city’s sewers. If you manage to save it before then, you’ll want to get your hands on some rubber gloves, a basin, and a pair of Slip Joint or Groove Lock Pliers before you get to work. Thankfully those are the tools you’ll need.

    Obviously you want those rubber gloves because you’ll probably be fishing through some pretty gross stuff while hunting for your real objective. Then you can go ahead and set your basin beneath the P-trap. Once that’s done you can go ahead and procure that pair of snap pliers you’ll need, and you can get down to business.

    Need help? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Dropped Something Down The Drain & Need Help?” color=”info” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fbdsdrainage.co.uk%2Fcontact|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The lower slip nut ring will be your first target, as you’ll need to loosen this to fully remove the P-trap. Once you’ve loosened it you can simply slide it up to release one end of your P-trap. After that you will do the same to the upper slip nut ring. Once you’ve done all of that the P-trap can be removed, but you’ll want to be careful with it because this is where all of the gunk and nasty stuff gets caught up.

    Speaking of gross, this is the part where you turn that P-trap upside down to release all of that nasty stuff into that basing you brought along. This is the part where you’ll be glad that you had those rubber gloves. Hopefully whatever you lost in the drain will be in that pile of gunk and goo somewhere, at which point you can fish it out.

    This is also a good time to go ahead and clean out that drain before putting it back on, if you have the will to go through such a process.

    Need A Professional? Contact Us For Help

    If you aren’t really comfortable with doing this process yourself, you can always turn to professional help. It may be more expensive, but it will at least get the job done without fail, provided that your lost item is still in the drain and not floating around the UK’s sewer system. Just keep in mind that’s retrieving your object yourself is not a hard or costly process: just a very unpleasant one. If you can stomach that you should do it, if you can’ call the pros.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Drain Maintenance & Preventative measures

    Drain Maintenance & Preventative measures

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    After Unblocking Your Drains We Offer Free Advice To Stop It Happening Again

    If you hate drain issues and would rather have them never crop up at all because they’re usually expensive and disgusting, you’d do well to follow some general maintenance tips that can prevent most drainage issues in the first place. Preventative maintenance is your best friend in these situations.

    BDS is your friend when it comes to performing these maintenance tasks, and they go about business of all types. This includes an all-encompassing range of drainage and plumbing services, including excavation, CCTV drain surveys, pipe re-lining, tunneling and drain jetting. BDS takes pride in helping you not only deal with blockages, but also preventing future issues with your drainage and sewers.

    BDS has several methods and techniques for helping you keep your drains clear of blockages now and forever. One of these methods is tree root cutting. Thick tree roots are constantly growing, and capable of penetrating your drainage system and causing massive damage and hassle. BDS can cut dangerous roots that are specifically a threat to your drainage, without damaging any tress you want untouched on your property.

    Of course, the BDS doesn’t just handle drainage. They also perform work on gutters, maintaining them so they’re ready for the never ending rain of the UK.

    Drain Maintenance & Preventative measures

    Need help unblocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

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    Beyond that, the BDS also handles pipe work replacement, in case anything needs to be fresh and new before settling in for the long haul hopefully free of issues.

     

    Drain Maintenance & Preventative measures

     

    If you have problems with overflowing gullies, BDS has that covered as well. Gully emptying and clearing of drainage systems includes grips, ditches, gullies and other systems, all of which BDS takes care of, since quickly getting rid of surface water is extremely important to maintaining safe roads.

    When it comes to drain maintenance, there’s no one better to get help from in the UK than BDS. Our wide range of services and professional staff are certain to take care of any problem that may arise, and also reduce the likelihood of them occurring later on.

    If the usual DIY remedies of chasing your drains with hot water or vinegar just isn’t enough to keep things running smoothly, you may as well turn to professional assistance, and preferably assistance that knows what they’re doing.

    If you want to save money and frustration in the future, learning preventative draining techniques and methods is the most important step to doing so. Learn what you can from the professionals, have them set up your systems to last, and then take matters into your own hands with routine work and checkups to make sure everything stays in top condition. The best way to ensure that any system continues to run smoothly is to keep a vigilant eye on it at all times.

    But when it comes to getting yourself ready for the long haul, you’re better off employing BDS, the experts in all things relating to drainage and sewage maintenance and repair. With their help, you can save both time and money in the future.

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  • How to Handle Burst Pipes Free of Panic

    How to Handle Burst Pipes Free of Panic

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It rains a lot in the UK. And all of that water isn’t very healthy for your pipes or your drainage systems. But just because you’re guaranteed to encounter some problems doesn’t mean you have to fret and worry about it. BDS knows how to handle burst and frozen pipes, and they’re always available to help you solve any problems that may arise.

    Because of London’s exceptionally low temperatures, there are many occurrences of frozen pipes and crack damage from cold expansion. BDS would like to remind you to never use open flame to try and thaw pipes, as such methods of rectification are extremely dangerous and a very common cause of house fires.
    If you want to avoid frozen pipe damage altogether, performing maintenance on said pipes before the winter months ever arrive is your best bet for saving yourself a lot of money. You should try to fix all broken pipes before winter makes their condition even worse. Otherwise, part of preventing future damage is letting drains and pipes in enclosed areas receive circulation to help thwart frozen expansion damage. Another excellent tactic is using portable heaters to maintain warm temperatures around areas of concern, though BDS would again like to remind you that you should keep an eye out for potential fire and electrical hazards.

    Drying out your home is an important step to follow as well. Using a de-humidifier to dry out areas of concern or places that are a little too humid is an important step to keeping your pipes from freezing due to extra water coverage. If you do have items damaged by water, your insurance company may cover the cost of replacing them.

    For your gutters, you should be aware of build ups through the cold months that can cause potential blockages throughout your pipes. They might also cause gutter leaks that could be harmful for the interior and exterior of your home.

    Need help with burst pipes? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

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    Specific areas that you’ll want to keep an eye on for when it comes to freezing and cold damage includes water flowing over your gutters, exterior pipes, pipes beneath the sink, pipes in unheated crawlspaces, drains that overflow onto pavement, and down pipe blockages. Of course, you should be aware of some other stipulations as well. Well-lagged pipes or plastic ones can be affected just as easily as metal, and freezing problems can occur twice a season. Frost can also seep into open cracks within house brickwork. Fortunately, BDS can re-route some at-risk pipework, though such actions should be discussed with an onsite engineer. Aside from all of that, don’t forget to check pipes situated in crawl spaces, outside walls and in attics, since these areas are all extremely susceptible to freezing.

    Whatever your plans are for the winter months, make sure you take care of your pipes before the damaging cold arrives, and you’ll save yourself a lot of money and frustration, not to mention a lot of time that you’d probably like to spend elsewhere.

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  • Clogged Drains and Terrible Smell Fixes

    Clogged Drains and Terrible Smell Fixes

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    Nothing is more disgusting and frustrating than to have your kitchen smell like garbage because of a drain. For one, it’s hard to fix without calling in professional help, and two, no one likes bad smells in their kitchen. But of course, there are ways to take care of such issues without having to spend a lot of money on professional help. In fact, there’s a good number of fixes for situations like these, and you get to learn them right now free of charge.

    What Is That Horrible Smell

    Sometimes solving a disgusting smell issue is as simple as flushing the drain with boiling water. Smells are often created by hair and other small substances getting stuck in the lining of drains with soap scum. Pour boiling water down the drain first, then pour in cold water five minutes later to make most of the waste you want to get rid of congeal. After that you can pour in hot water again to wash it away. Still, you should always have a plunger ready in case this isn’t wholly effective.

     

    Need help unblocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

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    Some Solutions To Unblock The Drain

    Believe it or not, white vinegar can be a solution to your problem. Four cups of boiling white vinegar may solve your problem. Pour two down the drain, follow it with cold water, then send two more to potentially power through any small blockages, which is usually the source of foul smells.

    If you haven’t figured it out yet, a lot of these techniques rely on hot water. Coincidentally, so does scouring the drain. This is a combination of the first two tactics with baking soda added to the fray. Run hot water down the drain, dump a cup of baking soda in after it, and pour two cups of hot vinegar down last. After about half an hour, you rinse the drain out with boiling water and hopefully get to call it a day.

    Of course, there’s no guarantee that these tactics will be an end all method for your smelly drains. Sometimes you need to combine them, and sometimes whatever is stinking up your drain will just be too powerful to handle with DIY remedies. Remember, if you want to be absolutely certain that the smell is eradicated no matter what, professional help will always get the job done. It may not always be cheap, but you’ll nevertheless solve your issue without fail.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]bad smelly drains[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

    Need A Professional Drainage Company

    When it comes to getting professional help for cleansing your smelly drains, consider BDS drainage, one of the UK’s most reliable companies when it comes to matters like these. If you want a guaranteed fix to all of your drain problems, whether or not they have anything to do with smell, they’re sure to set you up and have you on your merry way as soon as possible. Just do yourself a favor and try some home remedies first. It sure would be unfortunate if you paid a lot of money to solve a problem a little bit of hot and cold water could have rectified just as easily.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Who is The Best Drainage Company in London?

    Who is The Best Drainage Company in London?

    With decades of experience in emergency drain unblocking in London and the surroundings areas we would say that we offer the best drainage service.

    We pride ourselves on the ability to offer an expert drainage service for a competitive price. Our reliable and prompt drain unblocking service is utilised by domestic and commercial drainage clients throughout London and the surroundings.

    drainage

    Need help unblocking your drain? Speak to an expert now:

    08081 689 112

    Here at BDS Drainage we pride ourselves on a guarantee of unbeatable and efficient service, whether it is drain inspections and clearing, CCTV Surveys or toilet repairs. Our company is Council and Health Authority checked,DBS checked and with domestic or commercial drainage work undertaken from just £19.50, our fully insured and qualified service is certainly the one for you! We offer FREE QUOTES 24 hours a day in which we can guarantee a fast response to emergency calls. There is no call out charge and decades of experience allow us to investigate, diagnose and solve the issue promptly. Our engineers have broad, extensive and detailed knowledge, allowing a wide range of plumbing services including CCTV drain survey, no-dig drain technology, unblocking, cleaning, tunnelling and gutters or down-pipes.

    We also offer our drainage services in Essex, Kent & Surrey.