Why our civil drain cleaning trailer is a necessity When surveying drains we are often asked to have our commercial drain cleaning trailer with us. If we come across any obstructions, we can easily clear them and continue with the survey. Rather than having to pack up and return at a later date. When I think back on the large scale commercial jobs dRAINS kLEEN has completed, one job in particular springs to mind as being the most memorable. A few years ago we were asked to survey 200mts of sewer main at a new construction site. However as we commenced the survey soon found every manhole (1 through 10) was…

CCTV Survey of Sewer and Stormwater Drains Recently, I was called carry out a CCTV pipeline inspection (survey) of the sewer and stormwater at a construction site. I had re-arranged a few other less urgent jobs, to get there that day, because as usual, the builders had requested it be done ‘as soon as possible’ so they could send the reports through to the engineers for approval, before moving on to the next stage of the project. On arrival I set everything up lowered the CCTV tractor camera into the pit and began the survey, everything was as it should…

Renovating? Ensure you get an accurate CCTV pipe inspection. Recently, I solved the drainage problems of a family who would have literally been in the S@!*, had the situation been left any longer. Unbeknownst to them, the CCTV pipe inspection during renovations, had gone slightly pear shaped, leaving a considerable section of their drainage useless. With the renovation completed, they moved back into their home, however, within a few days of using their ensuite, it became obvious; there was a problem down below. They began to hear gurgling sounds, as their waste tried to flow away and I was called to un-block the drain,…

Blocked Stormwater drain: The last thing you want during the WET! The rain has finally come and once again, it not only, rained it ripped through tornado style, the rain poured from our sky for days and home owners came to realise the problems associated with not maintaining their drains. However, there were a lucky few who did book me in prior to the storms and they are reaping the benefits, thanking their lucky stars it had not been their home that were flooding because of a blocked stormwater drain. I worked in the rain all day on Friday, for…

Stop the drip: How to change a tap washer in 10 easy steps A dripping tap can lose up to 2L / hour, 48L / day, 336L / week, water is far too precious to waste so follow the   tips below or call a licenced plumber to properly service all of your household taps. Step 1: Make sure you have a new tap washer (one that is the correct size for the tap you are fixing) ,   a shifter, a multi grip tool and some silicone.   Step 2: Turn off the water at the mains, release water…

Wondering.. How tree roots enter your drains and cause a blockage? After years of being underground, any pipe can succumb to the pressure of ground movement. Old earthenware drainage pipes often crack, break or the rubbers may perish. PVC can be squashed, distorted, cracked and broken. Tree roots have even been known to create so much [pressure on the  pipe walls they eventually destroy the integrity of the pipe surface thus creating an entry point; as soon as they have forced/found an opening they are free to grow. Plant roots continue to take advantage of the damp space inside the drain, settling…

Home Remedies to Unblock Your Drains Have you ever tried to unblock your drains yourself? Clients have often told me that they have been experiencing smells coming from their drains for a while, they have tried countless home remedies (Bi- carb and vinegar or even a store bought product), to no avail. They say it stopped the smell for a while, but, it soon returned, just as bad, or worse than before’.  Why does this happen? Well, these remedies will only mask or dilute the smells rather than actually unblock your drains, if there is a build up of grime, hair…