How to Prevent Autumn Leaves Blocking Drains

When the leaves begin to change color in autumn, and the trees take on a new hue, it’s only a matter of time before they fall from the branches, causing a mess. Outdoor drains are more likely to clog in the autumn and winter when leaves can blow into them, covering them completely and causing leaves to decompose.

Leaves are a menace in the garden. Not only can they block drains and potentially cause flooding, they also create a terrible mess and can lead to trips and falls. You should do your best to keep leaves out of the drains. Autumnal leaves in particular can completely block drain grids, preventing water from getting into the drains which can then cause rainwater to back up into your garden and potentially cause flooding. Leaves can also cause a serious problem when they get into the drains and cause blockages from inside. Usually, in situations like that, it is required to hire a professional to fix it.

What can you do to prevent a drain blocked with leaves?
To prevent leaves from clogging your outdoor drains, brush or rake them into a bin. The most effective – yet most overlooked – way to do this is to gather leaves regularly with a good-quality brush or rake.

Vacuum your drain with a wet-dry vacuum
To remove clogged leaves, scoop the debris away with a shovel and then vacuum out the drain with a wet-dry vacuum. The suction of the vacuum will pull leaf debris through the grates of the drain cover and whatever is left behind can be washed down the drain with water; as long as most of the debris is removed, cleaning should be easier.

Get a drain guard
To prevent leaves from clogging a drain, install a drain guard. A drain guard is similar to an upside-down strainer, so water can filter through while keeping leaves away from the surface of the drain. If leaves form a build up over the drain cover, they won’t block water from flowing under. Drain guards still require regular cleaning, but they work as effective solutions for keeping drains from becoming clogged with leaves.

Inspect your drain regularly
It is a good idea to check your drain grid regularly and remove any leaves that may have gathered on top. If leaves build up on the grid, water may find another way to drain away, which could lead to flooding in your garden. One way to prevent this is to cover the grid with a plastic or metal net—this makes it easy to remove leaves without making a mess.

Prevention is better
The bottom line is, do not neglect the maintenance of your drain pipes. The leaves that fall from your trees are not always confined to your garden but also can end up in your roof’s drainpipes. If this happens, leaves have a direct route into the drains which can prevent water from draining down the pipes, causing them to overflow. This can be much more difficult to clear, which is why there are many devices available to make this task much easier for you, such as gutter brushes. These sit inside your drainpipe and prevent anything from getting inside except for water.

And lastly, remember to have your drains unblocked professionally. Regular maintenance of your garden helps to avoid the expensive costs of repair or replacement.