Outside drains blocked, help please!!

FUNKYDADDIO

Hi Guys, have an outside drain blocked at my new house and am really tryng not to call a company to do this for me. I have tried soda crystals and caustic soda but neither has worked, anyone any other ideas? Would NI water do it for free as some other regions seem to do? Thanks..

PasturesNew

Have you tried pouring boiling water down it and poking sticks in and wiggling it about to thin out the contents?

Is this an open drain, like a downpipe feeds into -or- an under-the-ground/hidden type of waste water pipe?

FUNKYDADDIO

Downpipes come into it, tried lots of sticks etc.. wiggling etc in it.. Thanks..

Smi1er

One Shot Drain Cleaner is what you need, in B&Q

unclebulgaria

Drain cleaner will only work if its food, hair or fat blocking it.
Take the top off the drain, if its a new one it'll have an internal sleeve that pulls out, either way you'll have to get your hands dirty and take out the silt and debris at the bottom then put a garden hose down there. Obviously don't do this if you still have drain cleaner down there!
Its more than likely dead leaves and dirt unless you pour food down the drain that is?

Contemplates

I had exactly the same problem with a drain about a month ago. Tried a full bottle of the caustic drain cleaner. The drain would trickle clear over a period of around a couple hrs, so I knew there was something clogging it. I used an old straight bit of plasic drainpipe, placed it as far down into the drain as possible, placed my hand over top end to create a seal and then using the vaccuum inside I lifted as much water out as possible. This kept my hands clear of the caustic stuff, and eventually after about three buckets of hot water and the drain clearer, the blockage eventually worked its way out.

oldhand

First make sure its your drain thats at fault and not the main on the road,(im assuming you dont live in the country with a septic tank?)
If you are connected to a main drain check next door to see if they also have a blockage which could mean the main on the roads blocked which NI water will attend to.
If its only on your own property its your own responsibility to fix and if so find the manhole nearest the road on your property and see if its clear and if not use freddiemaes idea which should work,its usually things which should never be put down toilets which cause it,ladies hygiene products,the empty plastic casing from toilet cleansers which hang on the toilet bowl etc,they tend to lie in the pipe and have toilet paper back up behind them.

toofy

You can hire drain rods from Balloo Hire in East Belfast, £2 a day according to their website..hope this helps

Fire_Fox

Caustic soda and washing soda are alkaline, try an acid based drain cleaner - they hit different types of blockage. If that does not work, the blocked drain is on your property and you own you will need to get a professional out, if you rent ask the landlord to get a professional out. If the blocked drain is not on your property call the water board in.

Mistral001

I have tried a garden hose tied to a rod or flexible stick (bamboo) with sucess. Push it in until it meets the blockage and wiggle it about. The water will have a jetting effect that will help to losen the blockage. If it is downpipes it is likely leaves and dirt from the roof that is causing the blockage and those do not need chemicals or detergient to move.

FUNKYDADDIO

Smi1er wrote: »

One Shot Drain Cleaner is what you need, in B&Q

Tried it, didnt work, thanks,,