Water management is one of the most important things to remember when laying out both car parks and access paths. If people can’t get from their vehicles to your front doors without getting their feet wet, it’s going to affect your business. If your car park doesn’t drain properly, dirt will accumulate, raising maintenance costs, and cracks will soon begin to spread across your asphalt.

These reasons make it vital for businesses to find the right drainage solutions when they choose to expand. Here are some key things to consider.

Model the Contours of Your Car Park

Water always flows downhill, and your drains have to be designed to catch it. Car parks either need to incorporate “pit and pipe” based systems, or they need drainage channels cut at regular intervals across the surface. When car parks are situated on undulating ground, getting the contours right can be problematic. In cases like this, it’s a good idea to bring in drainage experts who can model water flows and make sure that there aren’t any spaces where water regularly collects.

Invest in High-Quality Drainage Products

The quality of the drains you install has a direct impact upon how long they will last and how well they perform over the long term. Well-made and properly-installed drains will catch sediment and be easy to clean and won’t come loose in demanding conditions. Loose drains don’t just lead to puddles. They are also major health and safety hazards for customers, and no business wants to be subject to lawsuits following falls in their car park.

Install Drainage Systems that can Deal With Vehicle Pressure

The drainage system that you choose also has to be strong enough to handle the weight of vehicles day in, day out. In most car parks, heavy duty drainage systems will be the most appropriate. These could be pit and pipe or channel-based systems, but they will always use robust materials like polymer concrete. They also tend to include steel or iron edge rails, adding extra resilience under high pressure.

When you expand, spend some time thinking about your external drainage systems. Don’t just demarcate a patch of land for parking and leave it at that. Instead, consult with experts who can advise about the best outdoor plumbing solutions. The end result will be drainage arrangements that last for years, serve customers well and keep them safe from harm.

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Underground soaker hoses

Soaker hoses are hoses that have holes along the body, so that they provide water along their length and not just with a sprinkler attached to one end. An underground soaker hose is just as it sounds; it’s buried underground and may wind around your vegetable garden or landscaping features in your lawn. An underground soaker hose is good for when you need deep watering at the roots, as the water is not going to evaporate on the surface of the ground. This is often the best choice for larger vegetation and shrubbery, or for gardens when the soil is dry and doesn’t hydrate the roots properly.

Buried sprinkler heads

Buried sprinkler heads are usually connected to a long hose and they pop up when they turn on, and then fold back down so they’re underground when not in use. This protects them from being damaged when you mow the lawn and reduces tripping hazards for children and pets. Choose sprinkler heads when you want a light but uniform coverage for your property’s lawn; many will rotate a full 360 degrees to cover an entire patch of grass, or they can be programmed to turn just a certain amount so you can concentrate the water on a landscaping feature alone.

Directional nozzle

A directional nozzle attaches to the end of a hose and provides a concentration of water at one point. These are good when you have a landscaping feature or other item that needs more water than usual; for example, you might want to fill a trough for livestock at the same time as you water your garden. Many directional nozzles will offer a low pressure watering system so you can use them for particular plants that need a lot of watering without getting damaged by a strong stream of water, such as tomatoes and peppers or for rosebushes.

For more information about irrigation supplies, contact a plumber in your area.

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Things not to do when unclogging eco-based drain systems

Use of chemicals to unclog eco-based drains is the worst idea – most of these chemicals are very toxic and will kill of all the bacteria responsible for acting against your waste water. Pouring caustic soda (sodium hydroxide powder) or other commercial unclogging products is therefore not advisable.

Caustic soda in particular is very corrosive, and isn’t good to use even in non-eco-based systems connected to the main sewage system. It is a dangerous chemical that should be kept away from children, and there are eco-friendlier options for unclogging drains.

Alternatives for breaking down clogs

Baking soda and vinegar – One alternative is pouring equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar into the drain followed quickly by a lot of boiling water. The reaction between the baking soda and the acid in vinegar can break down most clogs, and the hot water melts and washes away the grease holding particles together to form the clog.

Enzyme-bacteria preparations – this is another method which is especially useful in eco-based drainage systems. There are different kinds of enzyme/bacteria preparations available at your local home improvement or hardware store. They are more expensive than the more common chemicals like Drano and caustic soda, but they are advantageous because they are natural and will continue to work in the drain even after the drain is cleared. These preparations establish colonies of bacteria that break down all organic matter that goes down your drain, so that your system will be kept clean and clog-free afterwards. In addition, they are non-toxic to human beings, eco-friendly and easy to use – all you need is to pour it down the drain.

For best results, pour your enzyme preparation in the drain at night, to allow time for the cultures to grow and settle in your drainage system. If you follow immediately with large amounts of water, you may wash out the solution before it has had time to settle in the system.

You can prevent clogs in the future by investing in sink strainers which hold back large food particles. You should also follow your dishwashing every evening with a jug of hot water and some baking soda – this is a very cheap and readily available commodity in the house – so that food particles are not allowed to build up to the point of causing a blockage.

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Look for unconventional plots

Plots of land can be outrageously expensive. One way to reduce this expense is to be a bit more flexible in terms of what kind of land you are willing to buy. Sites which have previously been used for commercial purposes can often be purchased at a very attractive price.

Provided you can obtain planning permission and are willing to do a bit more preparatory clearing work before you begin construction, it could be the perfect low-cost solution. Look out for disused car parks, old warehouses and shutdown shops. If you spot a site with a suitable price-tag, make some enquiries with your local authority about using it for residential purposes.

Be willing to pitch in

Hiring labourers can be very expensive. Whilst it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to entirely eliminate this expense – at least a few skilled workers are usually required for construction projects – you can cut down on costs in this area if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do some of the basic manual labour yourself.

For instance, if you’ve purchased an overgrown plot covered in weeds and bushes, then you can save quite a bit of money by clearing this vegetation away without the assistance of hired hands. If there are a lot of jobs of this nature to be done, it might be a good idea to enlist the help of some friends and family to tackle the projects. 

It is, however, important to recognise when you need an expert. Do not attempt to undertake tasks such as fitting water mains pipes or installing the house’s electricity supply on your own. It’s always best to leave these kinds of jobs to plumbers and electricians who have the expertise needed to carry out this work safely and efficiently.

Opt for a prefabricated home

Prefabricated homes are, as their name implies, ones that are made off-site and transported to your land after they are built. Modular homes are one example of this; these consist of prebuilt sections (or ‘modules’) that are made in a factory and then joined together on the plot of land for which they are designed. They have become very popular in recent years, not only because of how quickly they can be made, but also because they are usually very affordable. These homes can often be up to 20% cheaper than traditionally-built houses. As such, if you’re on a tight budget, it may be worth exploring the idea of purchasing this type of house, while still seeking to create the custom home of your dreams. 

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Know Things That You Shouldn’t Wash Down Your Sink

There are several materials which, when washed down your kitchen sink, will lead to clogs. The first of these materials are grease and fat. Build-up of grease will eventually reduce the internal bore of your pipes until they block. Therefore, be watchful of the liquids you are washing down your sink. Make sure that if you are cooking with fat, you let it solidify on your pan first and then scrape it into your garbage can afterwards. Don’t put coffee grounds down your drain. Instead, dispose them of in your garbage can. You can also compost them or use them to add mulch to your garden.

Use Strainers

Use large-holed kitchen sink strainers to prevent stuff such as the small bits of potato from finding their way down your drain. Consider combining a kitchen sink strainer with a plug to help achieve better results.

Run Hot Water through Your Drain

Run hot water through your drain every night after cleaning your kitchen sink. Doing this will prevent deposits of hard water and will help liquefy any grease and fat. When doing this, adding a half cup of baking soda and vinegar periodically before running the hot water can also help.

Avoid Excessive Use of Drain Cleaners

While use of drain cleaners is helpful to deal with bacteria and other substances in your drain, which may cause drain issues, too much of these cleaners is not a good idea. This is because too much of these cleaners can corrode the inside your pipes and create grooves, which can collect materials and cause clogs. In addition, use natural-based cleaners rather than chemical-based cleaners. Also, remember to use these cleaners at night because the large amounts of water used during the day can wash off or neutralise the cleaners before they work on bacteria inside your pipes.

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Bathroom placement is key. If you don’t plan this renovation carefully, costs could spiral out of control all too easily. Many people make the mistake of locating an attic bathroom too far away from any kind of current plumbing system in the house, and this means that a whole new plumbing system has to be integrated, which takes more time and costs more money. It’s a much better idea to locate a loft bathroom above an existing bathroom or kitchen, and the plumbing for the conversion can then link up with the existing plumbing. Consult with a plumbing services company to figure out the very best positioning of your bathroom: go to websites like http://www.royaltyonline.com.au for more information.

Make sure your floor joists are strong. A bathroom not only differs from other rooms because it requires plumbing, but also because bathroom fixtures are typically much heavier than fixtures in other rooms in the house. Something like a bathtub, a Jacuzzi, or a wet room kitted out in tile is going to be pretty weighty, and your attic floor will need to support that weight. Before you start building, have a contractor look over the floor to test its strength, and do invest in new floor joists if you need to – after all, you don’t want your bathroom to fall through the ceiling!

You can also opt for lighter bathroom materials such as acrylic. If you opt for something weighty like a cast iron tub, you’ll have to make sure that your floor is very supportive.

Be aware of vertical space. When designing an attic bathroom, you have to remember that most attics have sloping ceilings, and the sloped areas won’t work for something like a shower unit or a wet room. This doesn’t mean that the space can’t be used, but you’ll have to install a bathtub or Jacuzzi there instead. To make the most of the space, it could well be worth leaning on the talents of a professional interior designer who can create a plan that makes the most of your attic’s assets. 

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Stormwater drainage basins

These types of stormwater drainage systems are constructed on a property with the aim of collecting any surface precipitation ranging from melting snow to rain. The run off then converges at the drainage basin that has been developed at an elevation that is lower than the rest of the property. Generally, drainage basins will be constructed in close proximity to another body of water so as to facilitate the transfer of the run-off into a river or a stream.

Stormwater bio-detention basins

These types of stormwater drainage systems are constructed with the aim of collecting and treating the run off on site. As the stormwater collects in the basin, you can then choose to use biological, chemical or physical process to eliminate any contaminants in the water. Once the bi-detention basin is treated, it can then be redirected for agricultural use or into a different body of water.

Stormwater quality units

This type of drainage system is also referred to as stormwater quality chambers. They are typically constructed as a solution for run-off in paved areas such as industrial sites or urban locations. These stormwater quality units work toward treating the run-off by eliminating industrial waste such as grease, heavy metals, phosphorous, oils and more.

Underground stormwater detention systems

As the name suggests, these drainage systems are located below ground. Since they are underground, they can be constructed on any type of property. Typically, underground stormwater detention systems are best suited for individuals who would like to use the water for non-potable purposes. These include using the water for irrigation, for fire suppression and more. The amount of water that will be collected will depend on how large or small you would like the system to be.

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Plunger

This is probably a DIY plumber’s best aide. It is the first tool that should come to mind when you need to unclog plumbing components such as floor drains, kitchen sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and shower rooms. When using it to clear a blocked toilet, for instance, make sure it has fully sealed the opening leading down the drain before pressing it down, and then pulling it upward. Basically, the idea is to continue vacuuming out the clog until it begins to clear. However, you should be careful not to push the clog deeper into the drain, as this might further aggravate the situation.

Auger

In situations where a plunger fails to work, you might need to use an auger. In general, there are two basic types of augers; hand augers and closet augers. A hand auger is a hand-cranked tool used to clear clogged drains and is commonly referred to as a plumber’s snake. A closet auger, on the other hand, is also a manual tool, but is specifically designed for unclogging toilet drains. Both types of augers have long, flexible steel cables, which make them tough enough to clear away even the most stubborn of plumbing blockages. In essence, augers will pull out clogs from the drains when they are fed into and out of the drain openings.

Putty

It is very common to notice small water leaks on your domestic plumbing system, especially coming from water pipes and sink drains. A small water leak may not pose any immediate threat to the efficiency of your plumbing system. But, when left unattended for some time, the small leaks may snowball into big ones and cause significant leakage. To prevent this, you should have putty so that you can apply it around trouble spots to form a water-resistant barrier that will help seal the leaks. If it is your water supply pipes that are leaking, you can prevent water bills from increasing. Keep in mind that putty works well when applied on low-pressure drain joints.

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Bathtub

A common place where strong smells are accumulated is the bathtub or shower drain. Hair, pieces of skin, and remains of soap and shampoo are mixing together in the drain, forming a slimy, smelly liquid that sits in the pipe, unable to be flushed down. The first thing you should do is to clean the drain out as well as you can, as this mixture is hindering the clean water from flushing the slimy liquid out. After that, you can pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. This will create a chemical reaction, which will help removing the entire slimy residue that is left after cleaning.

Bathroom sink

Your bathroom sink is another place where odours tend to form. The vinegar solution might be applicable also here, but to properly clean it out, you should remove the trap under the sink and empty out the still standing water in it. This will also empty out the dirt that has been building up. To clean it thoroughly, you can also use some sort of chemical cleaner to flush through the upper part of the pipe and flush it out through the disassembled trap.

Kitchen sink

One of the most common reasons for smells and blockage in the kitchen sink is cooking fat that has been poured down the drain and that has then coagulated in the pipe. This blocks the pipe, but also attracts pieces of food and dirt that also are flushed down the drain, causing a plug of smelly materials. One thing you can do to get rid of this plug is to heat the visible part of the pipe under the sink up with a hairdryer or a heat blanket that you wrap around the pipe. This will cause the coagulated fat to melt and you can then flush it out using hot water.

Washing machine

If your washing machine smells, the easiest thing to do is to do a cleaning wash. This means that you put the machine on the hottest wash possible, while using laundry detergent, and wash the machine without clothes. This removes any build up of fat and dirt that has accumulated in the washing machine without you having to do any actual cleaning. This could be done more times if you don’t notice the smell go away after the first time.

If you’re worried that the smell coming from your drains might be indicative of a larger issue, however, such as a septic tank or sewer malfunction, don’t hesitate to reach out to local plumbers to find out what’s going on. 

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Foreign objects

Many small items can easily slip and fall down into the drain. Most people will have some experience of this happening to them, whether it was an earring or a screw. These objects can become lodged in the pipes and drains, resulting in blockages. Pay particular attention when you have small children using the drains. They may be flushing down the toilet any objects they can get their hands on, such as toys and packaging. Some people even use their toilet as a second bin, flushing food and cleaning products down the toilet. It is inevitable that these practices will lead to a blockage sooner rather than later.

Plant matter

Many times it is leaves and roots of plants that will create blockages in drains. Roots are always hunting for moisture and, therefore, will be attracted to the water source that drains provide. They can worm their way into the drains, which may result in cracked pipes as well as creating blockages. When the trees start shedding their leaves in the autumn, you may notice increased levels of blockages due to leaves getting stuck in the drains. It is important to place protective covers over pipes to ensure that plant matter cannot reach the pipes. Also, ensure that all plants and trees are well trimmed when they are located near pipes.

Hair

This is one of the most common causes of drain blockages in the bathroom. While a couple of hairs going down the drain may seem like no big deal, over time this accumulates into large quantities of mass. Hairs can easily become tangled up in the drains, which results in a decreased amount of space for water to pass through. There are many handy devices that you can use on your drains to prevent hairs from entering.

Toiletries

Many people flush baby wipes and nappies down the toilet. This is extremely detrimental to the plumbing system. Most of these materials are extremely absorbent and will expand when dropped into the toilet. Baby wipes cannot be broken down like toilet paper; they remain in one piece and becomes stuck in the drain when flushed. These types of material should be thrown away in the bin.

Try using these tips to avoid drain blockages. But if you do run into any problems, be sure to hire a professional plumber, like those at Haig & Menzel Contractors Pty Ltd, to find and fix the cause instead of just the symptom to prevent continual problems.

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