Drainage & External Plumbing: Why Autumn Weather Makes Blocked Drains More Likely

Autumn is a beautiful time of year, but it can also be a challenging season for home maintenance. As the leaves fall, temperatures drop, and wetter weather arrives, you might have to deal with clogged drains and gutters.

Here, we’ll take a look at why autumn weather makes blocked drains more likely, along with practical things you can do to prevent and fix these drainage problems.

Why do drains get blocked in autumn?

The autumn weather poses a number of problems when it comes to your gutters and drains. Here are just a few of the main culprits:

Falling Leaves And Debris

Deciduous trees shed huge amounts of leaves at this time of year, and it’s easy for these to be blown around by gusty autumnal winds or washed from your roof into gutters and downpipes. The accumulation of these leaves, along with moss, twigs, and other debris, can form a thick, dense mat or a sludgy substance. This can obstruct water flow and trap even more debris unless it’s cleared.

Heavy Rain

Compared to summer, the autumn season usually brings more frequent and heavier rain showers. These can bring down autumn leaves even faster than normal, as well as putting extra pressure on drainage systems as rainwater washes away. This can cause drains to back up and overflow, potentially causing localised flooding.

Saturated Ground

The wetter the weather and the longer it lasts, the more saturated the soil will be. This reduces its ability to absorb and drain away surface water. This means more water flowing into drainage and sewage systems, which can become overwhelmed – especially after sudden, intense downpours.

Increased Tree Root Activity

Tree roots can expand in autumn, as they search for moisture and nutrients. This can cause problems with underground pipes, as roots can sometimes find their way in through tiny cracks in the pipework. Once inside, they can continue to grow and block the pipe. This prevents wastewater from flowing and can even lead to a collapsed or burst pipe.

Cold Temperatures And Freezing Pipes

As the temperature plummets, there’s an increased risk that your pipes may freeze. This can happen if pipes aren’t sufficiently insulated, or if there’s water trapped behind an existing blockage. As the water in the pipe freezes, it expands. This can crack or even burst the pipe, which can lead to serious flooding when the ice thaws.

How To Prevent And Fix Drainage Problems In Autumn

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to home maintenance. However, you can’t do much to prevent the leaves falling off the trees in autumn, or during a period of wet, gusty weather.

What you can do, though, is prepare properly and then keep on top of the situation as the season progresses. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind:

• Install drain guards or screens on outdoor drains. These catch falling leaves or any other debris before it can enter the system, but they will need to be emptied and any debris cleared away on a regular basis.
• Insulate all your external pipework. This includes any pipes in unheated areas like garages or outhouses.
• Set a schedule for clearing leaves and debris from around your drains. Do it at least once a week or whenever there’s blustery weather which can blow the leaves from nearby trees.
• Get your gutters cleared before autumn. This gives you peace of mind that you’re starting the season with clean, clear, free-flowing gutters. It may also be a good idea to have your gutters cleaned again after winter.
• Consider booking a professional drain inspection to identify any issues with pipework, especially if you’ve noticed any pooling water in the garden or your sink is slow to drain water away. It’s best to do this before the weather gets worse. A drain unblocking specialist can pinpoint any issues and recommend or implement fast solutions, so you’ll be all sorted and ready for winter.