Drainage & Sewer

Sewer and drain - what installations can I make myself?

Sewers and drainage pipes divert domestic and wastewater away from the dwelling. Water, which may contain waste, is categorised as wastewater and must be diverted away via a sewer. This applies, among other things, to drains from the kitchen, bathrooms, utility room and basement. It is your responsibility as a homeowner to maintain your property's sewer and drainage pipes so that they function as intended. This also applies to the connector that runs on the site and connects your sewer system to the public network.

There can be quite a bit of money to save by doing some of the installations yourself. However, the rules for what you can do yourself and what you should let a professional do are very specific.

As a rule, you must not change the basic water and drainage installations in the house yourself. You are allowed to buy the spare parts, but not install them yourself. If there is a ball valve or ballofix valve between what you want to repair or replace and the water supply in the house, you may carry out the installation yourself. In all other cases, contact a plumber.

 In other words, you are allowed to replace a faucet, shower faucet or sink with associated trap yourself, but not carry out sewer work yourself. This is because the sewers are located far down in the ground, where they are inaccessible. For example, if a sewer pipe is installed incorrectly, it can take a long time before it is discovered - and it can be expensive and extensive to have to repair.

 The only sewer work you are allowed to do yourself is pheasant digging. A pheasant is a cavity in the ground that collects water from gutters and downpipes, after which it seeps into the ground.

Sewer and drain maintenance

To avoid odours, clogging, etc., it is important to maintain and clean sewer and drain pipes at regular intervals. You can do this in several ways, including by pouring boiling water into the pipes. Boiling water has a bactericidal effect and prevents the drain from clogging.

However, boiling water alone cannot do it. Often you have to pull on a pair of rubber gloves and clean the drain with a sponge or brush to get rid of old dirt. Remember not to pour grease into the kitchen sink as it solidifies and clogs the drain. In addition, it can attract rats.

 If the trap is clogging, you should of course also clean it. The trap is usually located under the sink and can often be unscrewed without the use of tools.

You should clean floor drains once or twice a month to prevent dirt, hair and soap residue from building up and clogging up the drain. This is especially true of the drains you use daily. If a washing machine is connected to the drain, it is especially important to have it cleaned at least once a month. You can do this in three steps:

1. Start by dismantling the grate above the drain. Some gratings are loose, while others are screwed on.
2. Unplug the trap and flush it clean with the shower hose. It is different whether the trap is fixed with screws or sits directly in the drain bowl with a rubber ring as a seal. In the latter, it may be necessary to replace the rubber ring to tighten the trap and avoid odour nuisances from the sewer.
3. Remove hair and other dirt with your fingers (use a rubber glove if necessary) and clean the drain with soap and water. Use a brush or sponge, which can reach far down.

Drains you don't use every day should be "watered" a few times a month to prevent them from drying out. If this happens, it may start to smell like sewer.

If you need sparring or help on how to clean sewers and drains, whether it is time to replace individual spare parts or which pipes and fittings you should choose, you are always welcome to contact us by email info@bels.dk. We strive to answer your inquiry as soon as possible and always respond no later than 24 hours after. We look forward to hearing from you!