Blocked down pipe. How much to unblock?

Eloise13

Hi, our downpipe is blocked and overflowing when the rain is even slightly heavy. We suspect there is a ball stuck down it as we cleared a few out of the gutter - we live in a town house so the top room is above the gutter. We cleared them with a broom but the top of the pipe is full of water and when it rains it overflows quite quickly. My question is, having no experience of this, how much should I expect to be a reasonable quote for this to be fixed? It's a new house, 3 years old, and the pipe is one of those new fangled ones that go straight in to the ground rather than dangling over a drain. Husband doesn't want to attempt to fix it himself because of this (he's usually pretty good so it's not an excuse! )
Thanks.

Furts

A rainwater pipe would be typically 65-70mm across and a drain is 100mm. So a ball blocking your downpipe should not cause a problem with a drain. The easy option is to unclip the downpipe and rod it upwards to push the ball out of the top. But equally, the ball could be stuck in the swan neck detail at the top so you would just need to poke this from the bottom up, or put a screw attachment, or rod, from the top to skewer the ball.

If you get somebody to do it a handyman should be fine on this. I guess they would charge perhaps £100 to do the job - it really depends who you ask.

DaftyDuck

If you don't want to DIY, then £100 as Furts says. But, if it's below window level, try clearing by inserting a hose and then turning it on. Messy, but works. If it's done it a few times, and is a single length, cut it a few feet above ground, clear using hose or rod, then join using one of these for £1.23...

Other [STRIKE]husbands[/STRIKE] suppliers do exist...

27col

DaftyDuck wrote: »

If you don't want to DIY, then £100 as Furts says. But, if it's below window level, try clearing by inserting a hose and then turning it on. Messy, but works. If it's done it a few times, and is a single length, cut it a few feet above ground, clear using hose or rod, then join using one of these for £1.23...

Other [STRIKE]husbands[/STRIKE] suppliers do exist...

My thoughts as well. Cut it wherever you like. Push the obstruction up with hose or drain rods. Refit using a downpipe connector to join the cut pipe. Easy peasy!

Eloise13

Really great answers. Thanks very much. It sounds like it's easy enough to do yourself if you just have a few pointers.
Thanks again. :beer:

SailorSam

£100 !!!!
Do you have a window cleaner ?
Next time he comes, he'll already be up the ladder ask him.
Cost about a fiver.
Or borrow a ladder and get up there.