We all use the sinks and shower in our home each day and the water runs away down the drain. Have you ever thought about what happens to the water when it leaves the sink or shower and where is eventually goes?
We are going to take a look at the drainage system in your home and how it links to the drains for the entire neighborhood. We are also going to examine what may have happened if the water is not draining from your sinks or shower as quickly as it should do.
How the drainage system works
All of the waste water from your home runs into the main line for your property. It runs along this main line and into the main line for the neighborhood and then for the city. If you think of a tree then you can imagine each one of these lines as being branches off the eventual city main line which takes the water to the sewage treatment works.
Along the way the water passes through various sewage pump stations. When it eventually reaches the sewage treatment works it is treated and pumped back into local waterways. It’s important to note that the water which leaves your home often has to travel several miles before it reaches the sewage plant for treatment.
What happens if there is a problem?
If the water does not drain from the sinks or shower in your home as quickly as it should this is an indication that there is a problem somewhere in the drainage system. More often than not the problem is caused by a blockage in the drains of your own home.
If this is the case you can usually solve the problem by pouring boiling water down the shower or sink. You should only do this if the pipes in your home are metal and not if they are made from PVC. If this does not work you should try using a plunger on the drains to relive the blockage.
If you still find that there is a problem with the water draining away it’s possible that the underground drains have experienced some sort of damage. This type of damage is not that unusual and often occurs when tree roots grow into the pipes. If you experience this type of problem in your home you can just click here for more information about how to get help.
You can see that the system which takes water away from your home is fairly complex. That being said, it generally works well. One of the best ways to prevent problems with the drainage system is to be careful about what goes down the drains in your home. It’s worth investing in guards for your sink and shower drains. These help to limit the amount of debris, such as food, grease, hair and skin that is washed down the drain along with the water. This, in turn, helps to ensure that water flows freely along the drains of your home.
