Gutter repair questions

BananaRepublic

I have a leaky moss filled gutter. I cleared the mossy sludge out, but there is a union that leaks. This is a ~5” long segment that joins two lengths of gutter, using rubber seals and clips. Like this: 

https://www.wolseley.co.uk/product/center-112mm-square-union-bracket/

It is angular rather than semi circular. I bought a 114mm one from Wickes, it’s about the right width, but too deep by 5-10mm. Does anyone know what size/spec I need? I’m going into town tomorrow to look in the B&Q to see if anything looks okay. 

The second question concerns the down pipe. It was completely full of rotten moss along its entire length. I cleaned it out, but the pipe going into the ground was also full of moss. I cleaned that out down to ~8” which is as far down as I could go. Is there a correct way to clean out that pipe? I believe it has a right angle bend and takes waster water into the soil away from the house. 

Jeepers_Creepers

For the first part, you ideally need to know the exact make of that gutter connector. It should be on it somewhere - wipe it down and go over it with - literally - a magnifying glass! If you can't see anything, remove it (you'll have to soon anyway) and study it in comfort.

Don't try and fit a different make unless it's EXACT (which it won't be). Also don't try compensating using sealant as the gutter needs to be able to move in and out of that connector during hot and cold weather - it needs to slide along that rubber seal.

Not sure how to clean the gulley - I guess use your fingers as far as you can, and then a brush of some sort - you can get them on long stiff wires so they're flexible.

stuart45

Is it a gulley, or a pipe connecting to a rest bend?

grumbler

BananaRepublic said:

 I bought a 114mm one from Wickes, it’s about the right width, but too deep by 5-10mm. Does anyone know what size/spec I need? I’m going into town tomorrow to look in the B&Q to see if anything looks okay.

This depends on your luck, but you can try replacing the rubber seal only.

BananaRepublic

stuart45 said:

Is it a gulley, or a pipe connecting to a rest bend?

A few years ago while digging the garden I hit a horizontal clay pipe about 1m away from the house and a foot down. Turns out it was channeling water from the  down pipe and into the garden, maybe a soakaway. I assume this is the same thing. What I saw today looked like a pipe going vertically down into the ground with the top level with the concrete path. Hence I can’t dig down and sort it out. 

BananaRepublic

grumbler said:

BananaRepublic said:

 I bought a 114mm one from Wickes, it’s about the right width, but too deep by 5-10mm. Does anyone know what size/spec I need? I’m going into town tomorrow to look in the B&Q to see if anything looks okay.

This depends on your luck, but you can try replacing the rubber seal only.

Good idea, thanks. The rubber seal on the new one might fit once cut down to length. Or some other rubber material. 

stuart45

Might be worth getting a set of drain rods with a worm screw and drop scraper ends. Sounds like you may have a pipe going to a soakaway in the garden. If the pipe is blocked up the ends should help you clear them