Neglecting blocked drains and gutters could result in costly repairs when autumn leaves fall, but a simple trick could do the job.
Food waste, grease and fallen debris can all accumulate in outdoor drainage pipes, causing blockages over time. According to Wolseley, a plumbing website, baking soda and vinegar are an easy way to keep your drains clear.
To do this, mix two parts baking soda with one part salt before pouring it down your drain. Then, warm four parts of vinegar and pour it on top until the mixture bubbles. Leave for 15 minutes, and then flush with hot water. Effective for minor clogs, this will help dislodge loose debris.
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“Grease and food residues in the kitchen, soap, care products and hair in the bathroom: Every day, material flows through the drains which, over time, forms deposits in the pipes,” the team at Karcher tells The Express.
“If you do not regularly remove these deposits, they eventually form a blockage and water can no longer drain away.
“The shops are full of granules, gels and power foams that claim to help you clear your drains in no time. However, in the end, these chemical cleaners often only have one effect: The drain becomes permanently clogged.”
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Another clever hack is citric acid, which works similarly to vinegar and baking soda. A great alternative to using chemicals, pour a measured amount down your drain and let it sit for a few hours before flushing with hot water to wash away any dislodged materials.
Rhoddy MacKinnon, Construction Director at Barratt Homes, adds: “Autumn is notorious for fallen leaves and moss blocking gutters, which can stop rainwater from draining away from your house. Instead, it can pool on your roof and leak into your home through small cracks.
“These blockages can also create damp environments where insects and rodents can thrive. Cleaning them out before winter is one of the simplest ways to protect your home.”
You’ll have clear drains in no time.
17 best gardening tools to buy now including spades, trowels and rakes
Multi tool — Best Gardening Tools
6-in-1 Wooden Garden Multi Tool
Now 50% Off
Credit: oliverbonas.com
Give your garden plants some love this summer with this useful multi-tool. Finished in titanium with brass fixings, this tool features six different functions including secateurs, a root remover, knife, saw, bottle opener and an easy weeding utensil.
Kneeler and seat — Best Gardening Tools
thompson & morgan Garden Kneeler and SeatCredit: thompson-morgan.com
Protect your knees when gardening with this practical green kneeler and seat. It has been made with steel tubes and comfortable polypropylene foam so you can garden comfortably. There’s also a small pouch on the side, making it easy to pop your tools in as you work.
Gardening gloves — Best Gardening Tools
NIWAKI Gardening gloves smallCredit: selfridges.com
Protect your hands with these practical grey gardening gloves, made from a comfortable nylon and spandex liner. Best suited for potting and pruning, they have breathable lining and a nitrile grip coating.
Great gift idea — Best Gardening Tools
Spear & Jackson Spear and Jackson Kew Gardens SetCredit: amazon.co.uk
Developed alongside Kew Garden’s horticultural team, this set features a weedfork, hand trowel and transplanting trowel. Ideal if you’re on the hunt for a gift.
Must-have set — Best Gardening Tools
Garden Tools In Wood And Stainless SteelCredit: notonthehighstreet.com
Crafted from wood and stainless steel, this lovely garden tool set is just what every gardener needs. The leather hooks make it easy to hang up in a shed, while the trowel has been marked in centimetres and inches to make planting easier than ever.
Wheelbarrow — Best Gardening Tools
Walsall 90L Polypropylene Multipurpose WheelbarrowCredit: argos.co.uk
Every garden needs a wheelbarrow. In a classic green, this lightweight style from Argos is ideal for gardening, DIY work and equestrian uses.
Digging spade — Best Gardening Tools
RHS Burgon and Ball stainless digging spadeCredit: crocus.co.uk
With a longer handle to ease back strain, this stainless digging spade has been created for all digging jobs. As well as this, the hardened steel blade is rust-resistant and will hold its edge without regular sharpening. Perfect for every avid gardener.
Watering can — Best Gardening Tools
HAY HAY watering can
Now 60% Off
Credit: selfridges.com
Keep your plants happy and healthy with this terracotta watering can. Designed by Shane Schneck, it boasts a no-spill lip and a shape that keeps water weight at its base.
Garden fork — Best Gardening Tools
burgon & ball Sophie Conran ForkCredit: burgonandball.com
Tried and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, this garden fork from Sophie Conran is a stylish addition to any outdoor space. Made of stainless steel with a waxed beechwood handle, it has sharpened tines which cut through hard and soft soil very easily.
Kneeler pillow — Best Gardening Tools
Sicilian lemon kneeler pillowCredit: crocus.co.uk
When life gives you lemons…buy a stylish kneeler pillow. With a generous size and soft foam filling, you can be sure to tackle those weeds comfortably without any pain.
Seeds — Best Gardening Tools
PICCOLO SEEDS Herbes De Provence seed collectionCredit: selfridges.com
Garden tool set — Best Gardening Tools
Jardineer Garden Tool Set Credit: amazon.co.uk
You’ll find eight handy tools in this set, including pruning shears, a hand trowel, transplanter, weeder, cultivator, hand rake, gardening gloves and a tote bag. At just £40, it’s a real steal buy.
Topiary shears — Best Gardening Tools
66cm Topiary Hedge Shears by Kent & StoweCredit: primrose.co.uk
Trim your hedge just as you like with these 66cm topiary shears. Ideal for trimming and shaping, they have narrow pointed blades, rubber shock absorbers and a long length ergonomic design.
READ MORE: How to get rid of moles in the garden
Grass Trimmer — Best Gardening Tools
Bosch EasyGrassCut 18-230 Grass TrimmerCredit: robertdyas.co.uk
Providing high performance cutting with a clean finish, this grass trimmer from Bosch has an easy edging function which enables quick changes from trimming to edging. Ideal for reaching those tricker spots with ease.
Rake — Best Gardening Tools
Wooden RakeCredit: Garden Trading
Sweep up leaves and fallen debris with this practical wooden rake from Garden Trading. Crafted from Beech, the strong wooden handle offers support, while the prongs allow for effective raking.
Trowel and Secateurs — Best Gardening Tools
Burgon & Ball Flora & Fauna Boxed Trowel & SecateursCredit: woolovers.com
Presented in a beautiful box, this set includes a trowel and secateurs. Featuring artwork from the RHS Lindley Library, they’re both a stylish and practical addition to any garden.
Electric lawnmower — Best Gardening Tools
Bosch Rotak 34 R Electric LawnmowerCredit: robertdyas.co.uk
This electric lawnmower helps you to cut through long grass with ease, thanks to its innovative inset grass combs and lightweight design.
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Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
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