While many gardens and landscapes love and wait for heavy rains, drains can be a real problem for homeowners with heavy downpours. Your drainage system is prone to be overwhelmed the moment there is rainfall because this has a tendency to cause backup thus posing a likelihood of flooding your compound, damaging your property and posing health risks to your family. It is hence important to know how drain backups occur during the rainy season so that you do not fall prey to the effects mentioned above. 

Understanding How Drains Work 

It is necessary to know how drains work before proceeding to prevention techniques of drain blockage. Drains are created with the purpose of providing a path through the pipes to the main sewer system of your house or a septic tank. These systems may be overwhelmed with very high levels of rainfall during the rainy season especially when they have not been maintained. Build-ups which come from debris, fallen leaves or even other objects may slow the flow of water and lead to blockage. 

Install a Sump Pump 

A sump pump is one of the most efficient systems that you can consider installing in their house especially if the area suffers frequent flooding. When there is water that is inflowing and there is probability of water backing up the pump turns on and pumps water away from the house. 

If you already have the sump pump they should ensure that they check them frequently to ensure that they are functioning normally. It could be advisable to also have some form of contingent power for example a manual pump in instances of power failure during storms. 

Proper Landscape and Yard Drainage

Your surrounding landscapes also can be of great help in avoiding drain backups around your home. This is because badly conceptualized yards lead to the formation of pools of water around your foundation, which increases drainback probability. As a prevention to this, aim at having your yard sloping downwards from your home, thus directing wherever to the drains to help avoid accumulating water in your compound. 

Other features such as the French drain or the swales can also prove useful for the management of excessive water. French drains are trenches comprising of gravel which also have pipes that have holes and these are utilized in moving water far away from your home. Swales are simply narrow trenches that drain water to a specific area that has been earmarked for drainage. Both options are good in a way that they can always ensure that water does not flood your drains, especially during the rainy season. 

Consider Backwater Valves 

Backwater valves can also be used in stopping drain backups, Another method which is used in preventing drain backups is backwater valves. These are usually fitted in the sewers and work to ensure that they let water out of your home. Backwater valves work by shutting themselves during instances of high water content to prevent backwater from the municipal sewer system from accessing the plumbing system.

Backwater valves, however, can only be installed with help from a professional and are well worth the investment for homeowners in flood-prone areas. These valves can only work as intended when they are well-maintained and checked often about their function. 

Avoid Pouring Grease and Oils Down the Drain

Another aspect that people fail to consider when caring for their drains or during rainy seasons is to avoid pouring oils and greases into the drain. Even though it is easier to let the cooking fats be washed down the sink or the drain, these materials harden on the pipes and accumulate with time. This buildup reduces the channel available for water to flow on and this often leads to the possibility of being blocked. 

Drains are already strained during the periods when there is heavy downpour and this means that when the grease and oil are already clogging the drains, it becomes very easy for them to cause backups during such a period. These substances should not be poured directly into the drain, you should put such materials into another vessel and dispose of them like other garbage. Also, incorporating cleaning of the kitchen sink, and use of a drain screen to minimize the likelihood of blockages of the drain.

Conclusion 

Although your home’s drainage system is always built to withstand the worst, it can be overwhelmed by heavy rains and this may lead to drain backups, below are some ways that can help you to minimize the occurrence of drain backups; Knowledge of how drains function, routine drain care, getting a sump pump, correctly grading the property’s land, and acquiring backwater valves are all good measures used to safeguard your house. 

Using these points you can ensure that your drains are clear and optimal all year and even during the rainy season. It is important to remember that more than preventing backups, giving some attention to one’s drainage system is beneficial for the general well-being of a household. Drain problems are well known to happen often during rainy seasons making it crucial, that one prepares for it so that they can enjoy the rainy season without the must fears of high costs of drain damage.