Drainage & Plumbing News Blog

drain survey offers

Posted on November 9, 2011

We would like to inform you about an offer we are currently running on our website for what we believe to be the most competitively priced CCTV Drain Surveys available for Home Buyers in the market place.

This is an offer that we believe your clients will be keen to take up – so as a fellow Sussex business we would greatly appreciate any help you can give us to promote this.

At £45 plus VAT* this full CCTV Drain Survey for Domestic properties will help house buyers understand the condition of their new home’s drainage system and reduce the risk of inheriting a costly problem that may or may not be covered by a homeowners buildings insurance policy.

The good news is that by instructing a Blockbusters Home Buyers Drain Survey we can quickly make sure a purchaser does not inherit a problem but also through using an insurance mandate we can manage any potential drainage insurance claim through the seller’s policy and switch the benefit to the new buyer costing only the policy excess should one apply.

The benefit of this is that there is then no nasty surprises for buyers and no potentially expensive re-negotiation of house prices for the seller.

Our Homebuyers Survey includes:

  • Full CCTV Drain Survey to latest industry standards
  • With colour screenshots of footage showing condition
  • Schematic drawing of the property’s drainage system
  • Full written report detailing condition of the system
  • Any recommendations for maintenance or repair
  • Any prices for potential further works

We recommend that all home buyers consider having one of these very reasonably priced surveys – please see the special offer page on our website to take advantage of this great offer – or follow the link detailed below:

http://blockbusters.co.uk/special-offers/drain-surveys.php

Alternatively you can contact us on: 0800 0689282 quoting ref: HB45.

Posted in CCTV Drain Surveys | Leave a comment

Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

Posted on October 17, 2011

BlockBusters are members of the CIPHE – and are also approved Water Main repairs and replacement specialists.  As well as our traditional services of drain unblocking and emergency plumbing our water main specialists provide the following additional service:

  • Water Main Repairs and Replacements
  • Sonic Leak Detection / Pipe Tracing
  • New Water Main Installations

We can also help you recover costs due to excess water loss and provide free advice and insurance mediation.

Please visit our website or call us: 0800 0689282

Posted in Blockbusters, Water Mains | | Leave a comment

How to unclog a sink

Posted on October 12, 2011

At Blockbuster we like to provide our customers with any basic tips and advice that may reduce potential drainage and plumbing problems and therefore save you money.

Unclogging a sink could be a very simple task if the blockage is minor and very localised to the plug hole.

If you are attempting to unblock the sink using a plunger:

  • Coat the edge of the plunger’s cup with vaseline (petroleum jelly) to improve suction
  • Add a couple of inches of water to the sink to also aid suction
  • Also cover the overflow holes with a damp cloth if possible to help build up pressure

Do’s & Don’ts of what to put down your sink:

  • Do not ever pour fat down sinks – over time this will solidify and lead to potentially bigger problems
  • Do not wash food debris down the sink – this will inevitably lead to a blockage
  • Make sure you regularly remove hairs from plug holes in sinks, baths and shower

For more serious blockages please do not hesitate to call us: 0800 0689282

Posted in Emergency Plumbing, Plumbing Advice | | Leave a comment

Transfer Of Private Drains & Sewers! What You Need To Know?

Posted on September 29, 2011

At BlockBusters we like to keep our customers fully informed about any changes that may have an impact on our customers and the wider community. We like to do this to make sure our customers are confident about the services on offer from drainage contractors and they get the best value for money.

On 1st October 2011 new government legislation comes into force that means water companies will take over the responsibility for some sewer pipes that have traditionally belonged to homeowners. This legislation is known as the Transfer of Private Sewers and although your householder may not experience any change you may actually benefit from the reduction in your liability.

In short most homeowners have been liable for their drainage system even when it has left their property boundary, right out until it reaches the main sewer, which is generally found in the public highway/road. Many private sewers service more than one property and historically homeowners would share this liability with their neighbours. See current situation image below:

Transfer Of Private Sewers Current Situation Pre Oct 2011
From 1st Oct water companies will now be responsible for the private sewer either when it leaves a property boundary or as soon as it goes shared with a neighbouring property – (even when this is within your boundary) – whichever happens first. See after transfer image below:

Transfer Of Private Sewers After Transfer 1st Oct 2011

So with this new legislation in mind – what should you do if you get a blocked drain or other drainage problems?

You need to continue to call us! – Bearing in mind that a large proportion of blockages occur internally or within your property boundary we are best placed to come out quickly and resolve both internal and external drainage or plumbing problems. We will investigate drainage liability so that if there is a more serious problem we can advise and help you. We also can provide free advice and refer you to a free insurance mediation service should you have a potential insurance claim. So no matter what the issue is you can be confident that BlockBusters will quickly find the most cost effective solution.

For more information regarding the Private Sewers Transfer or any drainage or plumbing problem do not hesitate to call us on 0800 0689282 or visit our website.

Posted in Drainage Industry News | | Leave a comment

Transfer Of Private Drains & Sewers! What You Need To Know?

Posted on September 29, 2011

At BlockBusters we like to keep our customers fully informed about any changes that may have an impact on our customers and the wider community. We like to do this to make sure our customers are confident about the services on offer from drainage contractors and they get the best value for money.

On 1st October 2011 new government legislation comes into force that means water companies will take over the responsibility for some sewer pipes that have traditionally belonged to homeowners. This legislation is known as the Transfer of Private Sewers and although your householder may not experience any change you may actually benefit from the reduction in your liability.

In short most homeowners have been liable for their drainage system even when it has left their property boundary, right out until it reaches the main sewer, which is generally found in the public highway/road. Many private sewers service more than one property and historically homeowners would share this liability with their neighbours. See current situation image below:

Transfer Of Private Sewers Current Situation Pre Oct 2011
From 1st Oct water companies will now be responsible for the private sewer either when it leaves a property boundary or as soon as it goes shared with a neighbouring property – (even when this is within your boundary) – whichever happens first. See after transfer image below:

Transfer Of Private Sewers After Transfer 1st Oct 2011

So with this new legislation in mind – what should you do if you get a blocked drain or other drainage problems?

You need to continue to call us! – Bearing in mind that a large proportion of blockages occur internally or within your property boundary we are best placed to come out quickly and resolve both internal and external drainage or plumbing problems. We will investigate drainage liability so that if there is a more serious problem we can advise and help you. We also can provide free advice and refer you to a free insurance mediation service should you have a potential insurance claim. So no matter what the issue is you can be confident that BlockBusters will quickly find the most cost effective solution.

For more information regarding the Private Sewers Transfer or any drainage or plumbing problem do not hesitate to call us on 0800 0689282 or visit our website.

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Exterior Drain Maintenance Tips

Posted on September 22, 2011

Blockbuster’ top tips to help you prevent repeat blockages and avoid those costly drain repair nightmares:

  • Make sure grid covers are in place and in good condition
  • Keep grid covers clear of leaves and debris
  • Clean gutters and downpipes every 6 months
  • Never put engine oil down a drain (there is a recycling tank located at your local waste disposal site)

If you are worried about your drain problems, have a blocked drain or just want some drainage advice please contact us via the form or give us a call on 0800 0689282 today and one of our team will be happy to help.

Posted in Drainage Advice | | 1 Comment

7 Top Tips To Avoid A Blocked Toilet, Sink or Drain

Posted on September 22, 2011

Blockbuster’ 7 top tips to help you prevent repeat blockages and avoid those emergency plumbing nightmares:

  • Regularly remove hairs from plug holes in sink, bath and shower
  • Flush sanitary pipework with disinfectant on a regular basis
  • No not flush disposable items such as nappies, baby wipes, sanitary towels or tissues down the toilet
  • Before using a plunger, coat the edge of the plunger’s cup with Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to improve suction. A few inches of water in the sink will also help
  • If you are using a plunger to unblock a sink, cover the overflow holes with a damp cloth. This will help build up pressure
  • Do not place foreign objects where they risk falling into the toilet
  • Do not pour fat down sinks (if there is no alternative, mix with very hot water and plenty of detergent)

If you are worried about your toilet plumbing, have a blocked drain or just want some drainage advice please contact us via the form or give us a call on 0800 0689282 today and one of our team will be happy to help.

Posted in Plumbing Advice | | Leave a comment

How To Unclog A Drain

Posted on August 26, 2011

At BlockBusters we like to be able to help our customers find the quickest most cost effective solutions for all drainage problems.

If you have a suspected blocked drain you may be able to locate the blockage by lifting the inspection chamber cover (man hole cover) to find where the problem is. Great care and consideration should be taken when you decide to lift drain covers as these can be very heavy and may require keys to open correctly.

You must never leave an inspection chamber open and unattended as this a Health & Safety risk and could lead to an accident.  If you have your own DIY rods you could attempt to clear any blockage but particular care should be taken when attempting this as it easy to lose a rod down a drain which could cause a much more serious blockage.

If you have been unable to clear your clogged drain it is best to call a drainage expert to investigate and quickly clear the blockage.

If you are unable to fix your drain problems or just want some drainage advice please contact us via the form or give us a call on 0800 0689282 today and one of our team will be happy to help.

Posted in Drainage Advice | | 1 Comment