Don’t let your home pour money down the drain!

Picture this:

It’s New Year’s Eve. You’re giving the house one last tidy before all your family and friends descend to see out 2017 in style. You pop into the bathroom to give the sinks a quick once-over. Before you’ve even got your marigolds out, you’re hit by an almighty stench. You do a bit more digging, and discover a foul odour creeping from the sink. All of a sudden, the doorbell rings for the arrival of the first guests! You pour a bit of bleach down the drain, and rush to the front door.

You hope that that will do the trick, but in truth it’s already too late. Before long, the house is packed with all manner of family friends, long-lost cousins and in-laws you hardly know. Your mother-in-law nips to the bathroom to freshen up, but there’s nothing fresh in there. The water pressure’s gone, the sink’s blocked and that smell just keeps on getting worse!

Desperately, you head online for emergency plumbers. But it’s New Year’s Eve, and the few who might come out are charging the earth for their last minute services.

Nightmare.

We all love to find ways to make our pennies go farther and put a bit of extra cash in the bank. It’s what sustains all our great adventures and family life together. However, all this hard work can be wiped out overnight if you have a major problem with your plumbing or your septic tank. It’s not the sort of thing that many of us like to think about, but getting some checks and following a few simple principles could save you from feeling the pinch in your pocket.

Thankfully, the folks at UKDN have put together a smart new infographic to show you how to be a step ahead of the game. As the nights grow longer and the weather worsens, getting on top of your pipes could help avert a holiday disaster.

UKDN gives five top tips to be aware of:

1) Know the location of your property and its flood risk, particularly if you’re buying a new home. Ensure you’re prepared appropriately for any scenario this winter.

2) Keep on top of your home’s maintenance. If left alone, small problems can quickly escalate and cause you major issues down the line, particularly if you have an old property.

3) Make sure the pipes you’re responsible for are spick-and-span. You’ll carry the hit alone if something goes wrong.

4) Find out if it’s a mains sewer or a septic tank which serves your house. If it’s the latter, then regular cleaning will save you a shedload down the line.

5) Be mindful of the Dirty Dozen; UKDN’s twelve things no homeowner should ever allow to drop down the sink to avoid ugly fatbergs building up in our sewers.

That’s enough from me for now. Why not check out the infographic to find out more and head over to the UKDN site to see how you could be protected this winter. You won’t regret it.