Drain Doctor helps householders avoid rip-off festive plumbers

“Here’s the problem” – a Drain Doctor technician shows a customer what needs fixing.

A burst pipe or blocked lavatory is a problem at any time of the year – at Christmas or New Year it can be an expensive nightmare. ‘Rip off’ plumbers can charge a small fortune just to take a look at the problem. Extra expense at this time of year is always unwelcome, particularly in these days of economic gloom.

That’s why Drain Doctor is reassuring its customers that it is maintaining its fixed prices, even if it is called out to an emergency over the festive season.

No overtime is charged for evening, weekend or bank holiday emergencies and there are no call-out charges – not even on Christmas Day. Every job is priced before work starts, working to a national pricing menu. We are truly on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service requests are handled quickly and efficiently and prices are agreed before the job is done, so there are no surprises. Our constant aim is to give superb and specialised service.

Drain Doctor customers can rest assured that if they are unfortunate enough to suffer a plumbing emergency this Christmas or New Year, Drain Doctor will not charge any more than at any other time of year.

The central principle is to deliver dazzling levels of service in a market plagued by cowboy operators who are overcharging customers for shoddy workmanship.

Franchisees offer a full 24 hour per day seven-day per week service with no call out charges and they give fixed-price, no obligation quotes with a full guarantee on all their work.

Technicians are trained not just with technical skills – including the latest techniques such as closed circuit camera drain surveys and no-dig drain repairs – but in customer care that is reflected in such things as wearing overshoes while in customers’ homes and clearing up carefully after every job.

If you are unlucky enough to need a plumber over the festive period call us on 0845 357 999.

Living with a plumber is not always easy

It’s essential to have the right PPE when working alone

It is very easy to take the day-to-day work of a Drain Doctor plumbing and drainage technician for granted. Customers see a smartly turned out technician in a uniform wearing overshoes and a carrying a mat to avoid causing problems in their homes.

But what about the times when customers don’t see them, when they are at home? The life and work of a plumber have impacts on those they live with as well as those they work for.

This blogger – who lives with a plumber – has provided a few tips on how to live with a plumber and how to stay healthy once the working day is over.

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Fantastic Four from Guildford join Drain Doctor team

Gordon ‘Don’ Todd has teamed up with his three sons to take on the Guildford and Basingstoke franchise business of Drain Doctor Plumbing Ltd

Gordon ‘Don’ Todd and his three sons, Gordon junior, Frankie and Charlie, have teamed up to take on the Guildford and Basingstoke franchise business of Drain Doctor Plumbing.

Gordon and his sons have been trading as a construction company and are now concentrating on plumbing and drainage. Don has been looking for a franchise business in plumbing and drainage for around 12 years. He said: “I looked at other franchise businesses. After I phoned Drain Doctor director Jan Mitman and realised all the help that is available I decided I didn’t need to look any further.”

The ‘Fantastic Four’ will now  run a business that provides emergency drainage and plumbing services to people throughout Guildford, Basingstoke and surrounding area. It will be a family affair, however. Don’s daughter Lauren will run the back office on a part time basis.

Don said: “I intend to expand the business significantly and make the franchise as big as possible. Within a reasonable space of time I hope to have a staff of qualified plumbers and drainage technicians on call in vans fully equipped to deal with most plumbing and drainage problems.”

The Todds have most experience in the domestic plumbing sector so they will be looking for Drain Doctor’s network of national accounts to help support the area and drive the commercial side of the business. Don plans start with two fully equipped vans.

“Drain Doctor has a proven system that offers a largely recession-proof opportunity where I can still be an independent operator running my own business but with all the back-up that comes with being part of a large national organisation,” said Gordon.

“I looked at other plumbing/drainage franchises but you don’t get the same support that you do with a Drain Doctor franchise.

“With some other franchises you are left on your own. Drain Doctor offers great contacts with insurance companies and has a national account network that will help me to develop and grow the business.”

Speed and efficiency will be the name of the game for drag racing fan Don and his Arsenal-supporting sons. He said: “I aim to give businesses and householders across my franchise areas the same ‘dazzling’ level of service which Drain Doctor provides across the rest of the country.

“Our customers get fixed-price, no obligation quotes, a complete guarantee on all our work, and a full 24 hour, seven days per week service with no call out charges – so people pay the same price for work at any time of day or night. What’s more, we turn up at the agreed time!”

Related articles

• Drain Doctor Welcomes New Franchise Support Staffer (draindoctor.wordpress.com)
• Time to prepare for the winter months (draindoctor.wordpress.com)
• Autumn brings leafy problems for drains and gutters (draindoctor.wordpress.com)

Toilet theme park opens in Korea.

White Toilet Bowl in Malaysia (Photo credit: epSos.de)

This story from the BBC is, perhaps, one of the strangest celebrations of the toilet you’re likely to see. This museum of the toilet in South Korea does have a serious side – despite the female curator interviewed being unable to stifle a giggle.

The Restroom Cultural Park in the Korean city of Suwon is claimed to be “the world’s first toilet theme park“. Its museum has exhibits including Roman loos, European-style bedpans, and ancient Korean flush toilets. Visitors can glean facts about human waste or stroll around a sculpture garden dedicated to squatting figures.

The theme park was set up to highlight the problem of providing adequate sanitation in developing countries throughout the world.

Wherever there is effective sanitation, however, we also need effective plumbers and drainage experts like Drain Doctor. If you experience blocked drains call us on 0800 3357 999.

October is ‘Toilet tank repair month’

There are more national and international awareness days than there are days in the year. They range from reminders of worthy causes to the downright bizarre.

The US leads the way. Administrative Professionals Day (21st April) probably has limited appeal but in our industry a mere 24 hours isn’t enough to get the message across. So how about Appreciate Your Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Professionals Week (20th-26th June). ‘We all know the discomfort we experience when our toilet breaks,’ says the promotional blurb. ‘Appreciate Your Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Professionals Week is a chance to acknowledge the great service these professionals provide.’

We also have World Water Day and World Plumbing Day in March.

This month. apparently, it’s toilet tank repair month in the US [http://www.huliq.com/8684/88051/october-national-toilet-tank-repair-month-and-more-october-trivia]. Perhaps we should take a leaf out their book?

In the US 70,000 gallons of water are lost each year through leaky toilet cisterns – one in four of all cisterns across the country. Here in the UK thousands of litres are lost. It is important to ensure that the cistern is maintained.

To repair leaks or replace leaky ball valves why not give your local Drain Doctor a call on 0800 3357 999 to receive dazzling levels of service that should lead to a national awareness day in the UK.

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Don’t let blocked drains give you a Halloween scare!

A pumpkin carved into a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As the nights draw in and we get ready to set the clocks back, we would like to let you know about a scary new problem that can affect the UK’s sinks and drains at this time of year.

Halloween, ‘trick or treat’ and pumpkin lanterns are becoming increasingly popular in the UK at the end of October.

Along with the pumpkin carving comes the problem of what to do with the sticky waste from inside the vegetables. When pumpkin pulp goes down the kitchen sink drain, the orange flesh hardens and sticks to the pipes, leading to clogged drains.

The trick to keeping pumpkin pulp and seeds from turning Halloween into a plumbing nightmare is as easy as pie.

• Instead of carving your jack-o’-lantern over the kitchen sink, try doing it on a pile of newspaper on the counter or kitchen table. You need to be careful when removing and disposing of the pumpkin’s sticky insides.
• Keep the paper well away from the sink. Carefully wrap the pulp and then either bin it or – better still – put it in the compost heap.
• Instead of throwing the away the seeds, Halloween revellers can plant some for next year’s crop of Halloween pumpkins.
• The seeds can also be roasted for a tasty and nutritious seasonal snack.

If you are unlucky enough to get a blocked drain give Drain Doctor a call on 0800 33 57 999

Related articles

• Pumpkins carved into zombies for Hallowe’en (telegraph.co.uk)
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• What’s the Origin of Jack-O’-Lanterns? (mentalfloss.com)

Autumn brings leafy problems for drains and gutters

Autumn Leaves (Photo credit: blmiers2)

Autumn is here and the leaves are providing a kaleidoscope of colour in our parks, gardens and countryside. But soon the leaves will be falling and blocking drains and gutters in homes and businesses up and down the country. The blockages caused by a build up of leaves in the drainage system can cause problems with toilets and kitchen and bathroom sinks and drains inside your property.

Not only that, rainwater overflowing from blocked gutters can cause water to pour down external walls causing potential problems with damp later.

To help you avoid these problems Drain Doctor is offering some tips to prevent drains getting blocked.

• Watch where the leaves are falling. Breezes can cause them to blow around and collect in gutters and drains. Sweep leaves up as they fall, bag them and take them to the compost heap.
• Get covered. You can buy covers for drains and downpipes in guttering systems to prevent fallen leaves getting into the drainage system.
• Arrange a CCTV inspection of your drains with a trained Drain Doctor technician to check for potential problems that can be rectified before they become a serious issue in the winter months.

If you are unable to clear guttering or drains by hand give Drain Doctor a call on 0800 3357 999. A fully trained technician can clear any blockages in gutters and drains to keep everything flowing smoothly.

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Metal theft affecting plumbers

A heap of scrap metal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

News of a spate of plumbing thefts from public toilets in the US has got police on the look out for a professional. It is believed that the parts are being taken for scrap metal as prices for scrap – both in the US and the UK – on the increase. However, it’s not an average metal thief being sought. Whoever is taking the taps and fixtures knows what they are doing because the water is being turned off and proper tools are being used to remove the parts according to this report.

Metal theft is a serious problem in the UK. According to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) there are approximately 1,000 incidents of metal theft reported every week at a cost to the UK economy of £770 million.

Popular targets for metal thieves in the UK are municipal manholes and drain covers. However, plumbers across the country have reported the theft of copper from their vans. And it’s not just the theft of materials from unguarded vans. According to the Country Landowners Association, recently a gang stripped out the copper pipework of 16 toilets, six showers and 12 basins overnight from a campsite in Wales.

During the course of their work Drain Doctor technicians should always be on the lookout for metal thieves and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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Septic tank management: A fragrant problem

Inspect cess pools and septic tanks regularly to avoid problems.

Walking around a small village in Rutland recently I noticed the fragrance of septic tanks in the air. In rural areas it is common for properties not to be connected to the mains drainage system. These properties have to rely on a private drainage system such as a cesspool or septic tank. These types of drainage systems are very effective, provided they are managed correctly.

An average household will produce some 124,000 litres of waste each year. This is equivalent to emptying an 18,000 litre cesspool approximately seven times a year. If properly managed, most septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants do not cause problems – but if they are poorly designed, installed or managed, the discharge from them can damage the environment. Domestic wastewater can contain substances that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment.

A septic tank is a complete mini sewage system in which effluent is treated naturally. The primary purpose of the tank is to separate solids from liquids, as wastewater flows through it, and to help to break down contaminants.

A cesspool is a sealed underground tank with an inlet pipe but no outlet. It is connected to a property by a series of drainage pipes. The cesspool stores sewage and other wastewater until the time of disposal. Cesspools must be watertight to prevent the leakage of foul water or the ingress of groundwater.

Under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1936, it is an offence to allow a cesspool to overflow or leak. If this happens the owner is liable to prosecution by the local authority. In addition, if pollution of a watercourse takes place, the Environment Agency may take legal action under the Water Resources Act 1991. The penalty for allowing a polluting discharge is up to £20,000 and/or three months imprisonment.

A smell of sewage in the area, slowly draining sinks, toilets or baths, liquid overflowing from the inspection cover, surface flooding ‘downstream’ of the tank or nettles and vigorous plant growth ‘downstream’ can all be indicators of problems with your septic tank.

To avoid problems:

• Put all wastewaters from your home into the system – any of these can contain environmental pollutants. All roof and surface water should discharge directly into a ditch or watercourse.
• Use bleaches and disinfectants sparingly because these could kill the useful bacteria that help to digest the waste in your septic tank. Some brands of domestic cleaner are ‘septic tank friendly’ and are preferred.
• Try to avoid excessive discharges from washing machines by using the ‘halfload’ setting. If possible use showers instead of baths.
• Inspect the system at least once a month.
• De-sludge the tank at least once a year. Ensure that air vents are not blocked and that all covers are secured and easily accessible.
• Act immediately if you find a blockage or any sign of pollution.

Do not:

• Use your toilet or kitchen sink as a bin. Put disposable nappies, sanitary items, plastic or other large solids which may cause blockages into the bin.
• Empty chemical toilets into the drains of the septic tank.
• Pour paints, solvents, oils, fats or heavy greases into the drains of the septic tank. These should be kept in their original containers and disposed of properly.
• Allow roof or surface water into the septic tank. Excessive discharges into the tank will flush solids through before adequate digestion has taken place.

At Drain Doctor Plumbing and Drainage we understand septic tank systems and how they work.  We are experts in both the maintenance and installation of the systems.  We can upgrade existing systems to ensure they do not pollute ground water aquifers or water courses.

We can carry out ground forosity tests and lay down new soak-away or nitrification fields, with all work carried out in accordance with building regulations. We can also ‘audit’ existing septic tank systems and ensure the correct bacterial balance within the system.  This can be done by ensuring all materials used in the house are bio-degradable.  We also sell products to redress bacterial imbalance in septic tank systems.

Call us on 0800 3357 999 for a free septic tank consultation.

Keep drains clear to help mitigate flooding

As this story from Gloucestershire highlights, with all the heavy rain and flooding at the start of autumn – and more on the way – it’s more important than ever to keep drains clear so that surface water can flow as efficiently as possible.

With all the rain around it’s time to make sure you keep your drains clear and blockage free.

There are plenty of other horror stories around as flooding continues to affect the North East of England and Scotland as well. In some areas a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours. With that volume of rainwater even the clearest drains have been struggling to cope.

Drain Doctor Plumbing  is urging businesses to make sure their drains are free of any blockages from such things as fallen leaves to ensure the potential risk of flooding is minimised. A simple CCTV drain survey can help to identify any blockages or potential problems. Even a visual inspection of gutters and downpipes will help.

Many people think flooding is something that won’t happen to them, but the risk is there. Being unprepared simply means the chance of an incident increases.

Although insurance policies can cover damage to property, damage to household budgets and businesses in terms of lost working hours is often not covered. This is why it is vitally important for businesses to take the time now to make sure their drains are clear of any blockages and are in good working order.

According to the Environment Agency over 5 million people in England and Wales live in properties that are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. Add to this the risk of surface water, sewer and groundwater flooding and the potential for disruption becomes massive in periods of severe wet weather such as we are experiencing at the moment.

The Association of British Insurers predicts that coastal floods and storm damage will increase significantly over the next 50 years. Inland, more frequent heavy rainstorms and increased seasonal rainfall could see flooding from rivers become commonplace.

This spells trouble for communities across the country which are not adequately prepared for the damage that flooding can cause.

Let Drain Doctor help you to get your drains clear, and as fast running as they can be, before potential trouble arrives.

• Drain      Doctor Plumbing – 0800 3357 999.

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