Drains play an important role, not just in our homes, but in the community as well. Healthy drains are what keep the water flowing smoothly and they’re often the first line of defense when it comes to keeping things out of the sewer and water lines. Litter and other debris can not only hurt the quality of the water and environment, but it can also affect the drains themselves.
For those interested in doing their part to help keep their community drains litter-free, keep an eye out for community clean-up events in your area similar to the Renton Downtown Last Hurrah! Clean Up.
This event and others like it rely on local volunteers to lend a helping hand by picking up trash and litter from community spaces. While this helps keep the city a clean and pleasant place to live, it also plays a huge part in keeping the drains litter-free.
Plumbing infrastructure is vast and complex, and trash or other litter often consists of materials that aren’t easy to break down inside a sewer line. Not only that, but many of your pipes at home connect to your community drains, so anything that could affect one drain will most likely affect the other at some point. Here are a few ways that litter or debris can affect your drains and Renton plumbing system.
1. Cause floods
Drains that are clogged or blocked by litter are at risk for flooding. Any obstruction to a drain can block the flow of water and if there happens to be heavy rainfall, the greater the chances are of a flood. Depending on the severity of the flooding, there could be property damage to your home or business.
2. Drain blockages
Another risk of litter in your drains is that it could cause a blockage inside the pipe if enough debris accumulates over time. Once a blockage forms, you’ll need a professional plumber to unblock and clear out the drain, which could be quite costly depending on the severity of the blockage.
3. Environmental impact
Litter in drains can have an environmental impact as well. Any litter entering a drain system will eventually find its way into a local water system and affect the ecosystems. If enough litter makes its way into the water, the overall quality of the water could be impacted, making it harder for the local wildlife to sustain themselves if the effects are negative. Animals and fish could unknowingly ingest the litter causing complications or worse.
Picking up litter and keeping our drains running unobstructed and smoothly is something that we should all be responsible for. Not only is it better for the environment, but it keeps our communities looking nice and clean. Removing litter protects our water sources and ensures that the quality of our water is safe and healthy for all.
Trusted Plumbing & Heating is a trusted and reliable plumbing company. They offer professional residential and commercial plumbing services in Renton. If you are concerned about litter or debris buildup in your drains, then call Trusted Plumbing & Heating today!