Leaking Downpipe — Blocked Soakaway?

paperclap

Hi all,

We've just had torrential rain here. For the first time (that I know of), the downpipe coming from our conservatory has leaked rainwater back on itself.

It's a 65mm diameter downpipe, with one elbow coming out, then another elbow to lead back downward, where it goes into another vertical pipe. I am assuming this then goes into a soakaway nearby? Also, these two elbows are loosely fitted – not clipped or screwed in place or anything. But, don't see why that'd be a problem. Just mentioning.

Judging by this video (WeTransfer link below), it looks as if the soakaway is blocked, and water is simply coming back up and out at the nearest possible route (via the loosely fitted elbows)?

https://we.tl/t-ZS8c07PP5s

Thoughts?

If you think it is this, is there an easy way to unblock the soakaway and rectify this issue?

Thanks!

FreeBear

There could be a blockage in the underground drainage pipe leading to the soakaway. If you can remove the downpipe from where it disappears into the drainage pipe, you might be able to get a (very) flexible drain rod down.

Failing that, I'm afraid it is gong to have to be a case of getting the spade out and start digging. If you do end up having to dig out the drain pipe, it is well worth fitting one of these - https://www.floplast.co.uk/product/leafdebris-interceptor-gully - It will trap leaves & stuff before the soakaway gets clogged and gives you an easy access point to monitor water flow.

paperclap

FreeBear said:

There could be a blockage in the underground drainage pipe leading to the soakaway. If you can remove the downpipe from where it disappears into the drainage pipe, you might be able to get a (very) flexible drain rod down.

Failing that, I'm afraid it is gong to have to be a case of getting the spade out and start digging. If you do end up having to dig out the drain pipe, it is well worth fitting one of these - https://www.floplast.co.uk/product/leafdebris-interceptor-gully - It will trap leaves & stuff before the soakaway gets clogged and gives you an easy access point to monitor water flow.

Thanks FreeBear.

Is this the type of rod?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/drain-unblocker-7-6m/11325

And thank you for the interceptor gully recommendation.

I've actually fitted this (below) to our other two downpipes, and it works a treat. Collects all the moss and leaves, etc.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-balloon-leaf-guard-black-65-68mm/68030?_requestid=344045

Couldn't fit it to the conservatory downpipe, as the diameter was too small!

FreeBear

laurencewhymark said: Is this the type of rod?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/drain-unblocker-7-6m/11325

That should do the job.

The balloon traps are all well and good, but not if you have to climb a ladder to clean the crud out. Having an interceptor at ground level makes life so much easier.

paperclap

Thanks, will give it a go! It is just a case of popping it down the drain and unwinding, then retracting to pull the crud out?

You're right, the balloon traps aren't perfect. We're in a bungalow, so hopping on a short ladder every now and then isn't the end of the world. These balloons were more to tide us over until to do get around to redoing all the guttering (then we'll whack those handy interceptors on!).

Bendy_House

Can you show us a pic of where the downpipe goes into the ground?

Yes, these 'balloon' guards work, but only if you clear the accumulated debris away regularly. I fitted one, and then watched during a heavy rain shower as water just cascaded over the side of the guttering instead... :-(

Bendy_House

Your problem could have all manner of causes, from a fully blocked soakaway to a simple accumulation of leaves in the d'pipe or the drain pipe it feeds in to.

paperclap

Thanks Bendy_House.

Yes, definitely need to clear out the balloons every now and again!

This conservatory, and presumably therefore the soakaway, are relatively new. I don’t know exactly, but I’d say it is about 10 years old, or perhaps less. Could the soakaway really be blocked that bad in this sort of time?

I’ll take a photo of the downpipe when I get home.

Also, if I do try to use one of those drainage rods… will it actually pull out and remove the debris? Or simply poke a hole through it to allow water to pass through? If the former, it’s not really a remedy!

plumb1_2

Do you have a soakaway or just assuming you do?

paperclap

plumb1_2 said:

Do you have a soakaway or just assuming you do?

I’m somewhat assuming. I don’t know for sure, as it was here before we purchased the property. But presumed they would have fitted a soakaway, rather than connect it to the main sewage pipe (or whatever it’s called)!

plumb1_2

Fowl and surface water drainage used to be connected together year’s ago, depends on age of property. Houses with soakaways are not common.
guessing you might just have a blocked gully, that’s been covered over