Modern life has always involved trade-offs. It was not long before settlements arose where cooperative and communal living became the norm.
To a certain extent, our cities, and other urban spaces are simply into this lifestyle. But this lifestyle comes with advantages and disadvantages. There are downsides to the vast numbers of people who have settled in modern urban environments.
One of these downsides is the increasing complexity of waste management and the consequences of bad drainage in both professional premises and residential households. Drainage systems are designed to make sure that sewage and wastewater are moved efficiently to disposal sites, keeping the environment clean and well-drained. Check your drainage today, you can ask Drain Unblocking Wakefield for help.
However, some of the consequences in having a bad drainage can include bad health – and even life-threatening conditions caused by sub-standard drainage solutions. But what exactly are these risks? And what can cause these severe threats to our well-being?
Firstly, bad drainage can result in the entry of noxious gases into the property. These gases are usually prevented from entering due to the designs of our plumbing fixtures (such as U-bends). However, in the absence of these safety features gases are free to enter via our toilets, water heating systems, and furnaces (to name only a few potential entry points). These gases can include Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide, Sulfur dioxide, Hydrogen sulfide, Chlorine, and Methane.
These gases can adversely affect the health of those using the property but are particularly dangerous to those who suffer from upper respiratory tract weakness, and conditions such as asthma – and can present a real danger to pregnant women and young children. Many of these gases present an insidious danger as they are odourless.
One of the advantages of modern life is that consumers have ready access to a variety of cleaning agents that can help to maintain high levels of hygiene. However, many commercially available solvents and cleaning agents contain high levels of dangerous chemicals. A drainage system that is not operating at peak efficiency can expose children, adults, and even pets to high concentrations of these chemicals – to their detriment.
Inadequate drainage can also result in the breeding of harmful bacteria and other pathogens. Bacteria such as E-coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Although largely problems that affect less developed countries where large urban populations do not have access to adequate sanitation and potable water the presence of Cholera and Shigella bacteria may be life-threatening.
Although a problem that is at the extreme end of the threat range the buildup of gases can present a very real threat of explosions. Gases released by bacteria and as by-products of increased levels of industrialisation can combust when exposed to even the smallest of open flames – or even sufficiently high temperatures.
The dangers of inadequate drainage are readily apparent. Both businesses and homeowners need to be aware of the risks – and ensure that proper, well-maintained drainage systems are part and parcel of their day-to-day modern life.