EnServe Group Limited is delighted to announce winning a significant contract with Thames Water worth in excess of £100m.
A recent change to water industry legislation means that UK water companies have adopted more than 220,000 kilometres of sewers which were previously under private ownership.
Following a very thorough and rigorous tendering process, which took over 15 months to complete, EnServe’s water businesses, H2O Water Services and Metro Rod have been selected by Thames Water to maintain and repair their recently adopted sewerage assets, along with their existing waste network in its London South Region.
The eight year contract will be delivered using Metro Rod’s unique franchise network, which was a key element of the successful bid. The contract is set to go live during August 2012.
EnServe Chief Executive Officer, David Owens, said: “This is a fantastic reward for all the effort by everyone involved in our bid and truly cements our position as one of the country’s leading water and drainage service providers.”
“We are delighted that we have achieved this milestone and look forward to working with Thames Water, the UK’s largest water and waste water sewerage company.”
Metro Rod Managing Director, Mike Walker, said: “This deal underlines the company’s position at the forefront of the sector and is a glowing endorsement of the innovation and technical ability which helps us to deliver a top quality service for our clients.”
Interested in starting your own business? Metro Rod are always on the lookout for committed and hard working individuals to join the team. Metro Rod have over 25 years franchising experience and are full members of the British Franchise Association. With a network of over 50 franchisees, Metro Rod’s drain cleaning and unblocking service provides a valuable service to local businesses and domestic customers. Visit our dedicated franchising website for more information www.metrorodfranchise.co.uk
Drain blockages can be extremely unsafe and a damage to your health. If the problem is completely out of your hands and you have tried every measure possible to fix the problem, then you need to contact a plumber instantly. Sewage contains bugs and bacteria and must be dealt with instantly before it gets any worse.
While you are waiting for the plumber to arrive, try pouring bleach and hot water down the drain to clean and disinfect the area. Make sure you are always wearing cleaning gloves and a facemask and keep younger children out of the way.
There are a number of reasons to why your drains may be blocked. If you are unable to reach the blockage then don’t try and attempt to do it yourself as you may cause more considerable damage than what it is worth. There is a lot of disease and bacteria surround toilet and shower blockages and you need to make sure that you keep everyone as far away from it as possible to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Once the problem has been fixed and your drains are back to normal, make sure that you bleach the whole bathroom from top to bottom. Bacteria can spread without you realising so it’s is best to keep on the safe side to prevent others from becoming sick in your household.
For drain cleaning services that you can rely on, however big or small, then visit Metrorod.co.uk today. They can totally eliminate your sewage problem and identify the cause of the blockage.
Blocked drains in your home or business can be a nightmare situation which needs to be sorted out straight away. From unpleasant odours, flooding of your house to the loss of power can be some of the telltale signs that your drains are blocked.
If you have a business and you currently dealing with drain problems you could potentially affect the productivity and sales revenue.
In many cases you can repair the blocked drains yourself through the use of a plunger, auger, bleach and drain cleaning solutions; however if you are unable to reach the blocked drain then it may be the case that you have to call out a plumber or drain repair company such as Metrorod. They have the skills, tools, time and expertise to help you eliminate your drain problems and restore them back to working condition.
To keep your drains in the best condition possible to eliminate any future problems, Metrorod have put together a few top tips to help you along the way when it comes to drain cleaning and maintenance in your home our business.
- Make sure you clean the plug hole of hairs as often they can clog up causing small blockages in the pipe works.
- Make sure that any small, loose objects such as toilet rolls, combs, medicine bottles are kept as far away from the toilet as possible to prevent them from being flushed down the drain.
- Try to clean you bath, wash basin and shower pipe using hot water and disinfectant to remove grease and grime as overtime this can build up and cause blockages in the system.
- Do not flush sanitary items and nappies down the toilet as this will certainly block the drains.
- Don’t throw kitchen waste down the sink and make sure scrape all food into the bin first before washing it in the sink.
- Any fats used when cooking should not go down the drainpipe. When fat reacts with cold water it reacts and goes hard. If you have no other place to drain the fat then dilute it with hot water and detergent. Once you have diluted the fat, turn on the tap and let the water flow freely for some time.
- Make sure you clean and maintain rain downpipes and roof gutters.
- Check your drains are running smoothly by lifting the drain covers. Fallen leaves or garden materials can fall into the drains and block them.
- Alternatively if you are experience continual problems with your drains it may be a wise move to get a CCTV drain inspection. A professional company like Metrorod can come out to your home or business and carefully inspect your drains to find the root of the problem.
If you need to unblock your sink and don’t know where to start then here are a few tips from Metrorod to help your along your way.
Chemical Products: The first thing people do when looking to unblock their drains is to pour chemicals down the drainpipe. The chemicals are designed to remove tough layers of dirt and grease, and this will remove the blockage, even if it takes a few attempts.
Using a Pole: Cleaning out a blocked sink can be a messy task, however if your sink is blocked to the top of the plug hole then you should be able to scrape some of it out using a kitchen utensil. Simply feed it through the drain of the plug hole, and push it through the blockages.
Using a drain snake: If the blockage is too far down for you to reach then you will need to use a drain snake. Remove the sink flange and feed in a drain snake. There i usually a large screw at the centre of the plug which will release the flange. Feed the drain snake down and move simply by turning on the motor. It will grab hold of the blockage and pull it up.
Using a plunger: If your sink is full of water and you cannot access the sink flange or plug hole then you need to lift the blockage away by using a plunger. As long as you can handle them carefully and don’t put too much pressure on the sink then there shouldn’t be any real problems and the blockage should clear instantly.
Alternatively if all else fails, you made need to contact a specialist who can solve the problem for you. Cleaning drain problems can be a nightmare and the last thing you want to do, so a professional plumber and drain cleaner can solve the problem for you in a matter of minutes.
Everyone has to deal with a blocked drain now and again so it is highly important that you keep on top of it. It could be the kitchen sink blocked due to food or bathroom drains clogged from hair or simply something falling into the toilet and clogging up the drains.
It could also be the build up of grease or limescale or just dust particles.
Discovering the problem: There is a wide range of drainage equipment that is available to purchase which will allow you to discover the reason for the blockage. If you can discover the problem then it can help prevent future blocked drains. Sometimes pipes could be blocked due to ice formed in frozen pipes, food, dust, hair, bubbles of air or algae. You don’t have to contact a plumber every time you have a drainage problem.
Fixing the problem: If you think the blockage is repairable without a plumber then firstly try the good old trick of pouring warm water down the drain to flush out the blockage. You can use a hose to blast water down the pipes as well as pouring bleach down the drain to get rid of limescale and algae. Vinegar is also a good solution to help cut down the grease. Plungers can also help unclog most of the drains however a auger is sometimes more effective. There are a number of other different types of plumbing equipment available on the high street that can help. Chemicals and drain blocking products are also a good idea but don’t pour every type of bleach down the drain as some chemicals may not react together well. If all this fails and you really can’t get rid of the problem then you should contact Metrorod you local plumber for all your drain cleaning needs.
Preventing it from happening again: Make sure that you regularly clean your drains so that you don’t have to deal with blocked drains again. Older pipes like copper or iron can be blocked due to rotting in chemical reactions however PVC pipes are the best material to keep your drains in better condition. Try to keep your plugs free of food or hair.
If you are experiencing drainage problems then there are many reasons to how may have occurred. From the gutters running along the house to a small clog in your drain, there are a wide range of reasons to why your drains are blocked and many ways in which you can find out the root cause of the problem.
By following these few simple steps we will be able to help you deal with issues of drain problems so that you can find the problem and whether it is a job you can handle or whether you need to get the professionals in.
Odours: if you have smelt unwanted odours in your drainage system but there doesn’t seem to be any other problems, then it most likely a build up of grease and dirt that has stuck itself to the side of the pipe and currently rotting away. You could use baking soda and vinegar for sinks and toilets and caustic soda if you have access to your external drainpipes. If the smell is becoming unbearable you can add a few drops of essential oil to improve the smell until the problem is repaired.
Clogs: If water is struggling to clear down the plug hole or after you have flushed your toilet, then this is a sign of a build up which can ultimately lead to it being completely clogged. If it is a large clog then you will notice that the water is backed up in the toilet causing sewage to backup in toilets. You can try a plunger to eliminate the problem however if this doesn’t work then an auger will have to be used to dislodge the clog. If you use a septic tank then you need to make sure it is in good working order.
Leaks: If you are refurbishing your home then make sure that the sizes of the pipes are sufficient enough for them not to overload. Check that there are no damp patches and if you spot any wet rot then pinpoint the cause and rectify it.
Vermin: If there is any vermin appearing from beyond the toilet drain, then you will need to seek professional help for unblocking the drains. Metrorod are a team that can eliminate the problem within minutes and ensure that all vermin are removed.
External drains: If it is an external drainage problem then firstly check out the protective gate to check that it hasn’t sustained any damage. This is usually the access point for debris and vermin. Pour hot water down to clear the drain and then contact a professional expert in clearing drains.
If you need some top tips to unblocking drains then Metrorod have a few different tips and advice that they can offer to help you along your way.
- If you have poured one type of drain cleaner down the drain and it hasn’t done the trick, don’t keep pouring other types down the drain as the toxic fumes may result in the mixture of certain types of chemicals that don’t go well together.
- Make sure that you read all of the labels on the drain cleaning solutions. Many can be toxic and harm the skin. Wear eye and hand protection at all time.
- Plunger: A plunger is also known as a force cup or a plumber’s friend. It is used to clear blockages in toilets, sinks and bathtubs. Combination plumbers consist of two cups, one inside the other and great tool for clearing toilets.
- Auger: Sometimes called a snake. It consists of a coiled spiral cable, usually around ¼ inch thick and of varying lengths. It usually has a z-shaped handle used to crank the cable as it snakes through the drain. Another type which is shaped like a funnel is used to spin its way around the drain. Professionals will use an auger which is further attached to a drill or other type of device that spins the cable.
- Closet Auger: Sometimes called a toilet auger and as you guessed it used for cleaning toilets. It is a lot more durable than a regular auger as it is more rigid and consists of a small cable with a crank.
- Sewer Tape: An alternative to the auger but not as efficient when dealing with a difficult blockage. It has a flat metal band with a hook on one end.
- Chemicals: Chemicals are generally used to clear blocked drains. Most of the drain cleaners that are currently available are much heavier than water and will seek out the blocked substance even if the sink, bowl or tub is full of water. Cleaners are most likely to be a combination of potassium hydroxide which turns grease to soft soap and thioglycolic acid that dissolves hair. Others may contain sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid or lye. Make sure that you use toxic chemicals with caution.
The idea behind high pressure jetting services for most people is rather a mundane topic; however it could be the solution to your blocked drains.
Many homeowners don’t fuss or worry about their drainage system until there is actually a problem that needs repairing and which they could’ve prevented if they would have looked after their drains.
High pressure water drain jetting is a relatively new concept and allows plumbers and drain cleaners to completely blast obstructions out of your drains. The jet has very high tech equipment which costs a lot of money and can completely clear your drains of any problems.
However hiring someone to use this equipment to unclog your drains won’t be expensive if you choose a firm like Metrorod. They can professionally clean your drains with their high pressure jet equipment. These jets are most commonly used for large obstructions such as layers of grease, scaling, debris, dirt and even rocks that may have built up in the pipe works overtime.
High pressure water jetting is not to be used by anyone but trained professionals who have experience in using the equipment. The water forced out of the jet is at a very high pressure and can seriously injure someone if used incorrectly.
High pressure water jetting isn’t the right type of cleaning system for every kind of clog. More simple clogs can be repaired by sewer snakes or chemicals. If your drains are built up with heavy debris and grease the drain jet is the best option.
If you think your drains are slow there could be a few reasons to why this has occurred. General symptoms are usually bubbling or gurgling sounds, a smell of sewage or signs of moisture around the drains. If you make yourself aware of the signs you could prevent the problem from getting any worse and save you a lot of money in the process.
Clogged drains
It could be the case that your drain pipes are clogged with hair, grease or other debris. Pour boiling water into the drain to break up any grease in the plumbing system. You could even try running a plumbing snake through the pipe and dislodging the clog. You can also use a chemical dissolver however this only works with smaller clogs.
Tree Roots
Your plumbing pipes may have roots from the trees that have entered into the pipe and constricted the flow of water. You could contact a professional plumber to see what he can do regarding the pipe and whether any major work needs doing. They have specialist equipment to cut through tree routes.
Foundation Problems
The pipe could have moved at some point. Maybe the soil has shifted, pulled the pipe and broke it. It will flow into the ground for a while but will eventually back up into the home.
Drain maintenance is essential in order to reduce the risk of your drains clogging up and becoming more of a problem than what they need to be. If you are experiencing more than one blockage then it is worth finding out the source of the problem before it gets any worse. Â A few essential tips would be to throw grease and fats away instead of down the drain, clean hair and debris from the drains and make sure only toilet roll is flushed down the toilet.
