Blocked downpipe

Ebe_Scrooge

I reckon that's top advice - as usual - from Bendy.  Just one additional tip:

Bendy_House said:

If you have a screwdriver that snugly fits the DP bracket screws, then it's usually an easy job to do. If, however, the screws have started to rust, it can be a 'mare.

When you replace the screws, consider smearing them with summat like copper-grease, or any other type of grease.

Many times you'll find that screws in a situation like this have rusted to bu&&ery.  If that's the case, don't give yourself a migraine trying to faff around with them - cut them off with a hacksaw and put fresh ones in.  Put the new ones in just half an inch lower or higher than the old ones, then you won't even have to worry about removing the now-headless old screws from the wall.

Oh, and I also second the advice about a dab of grease when you replace the screws.  Doesn't necessarily need to be anything as posh as copper grease - Vaseline is my go-to for most household jobs, copper-grease I reserve for car maintenance.  And it's always handy to have a tub of Vaseline lying around at this time of year anyway - I don't care what people say about ChapStick and the like - Vaseline is the best thing out there for chapped lips and is cheap as chips

sarahTT

OK, folks, all is well Thanks to your advice my OH (who may be bad at plumbing but likes a challenge) did manage to get the screws out... three needed a bit of persuasion but we have good screwdrivers, the fourth needed more than just a bit of persuasion. And though the screws were quite rusty, the wall plugs were fine so no need even to relocate the brackets.

After this it was relatively easy to get the DP out of the bottom bit. Then lots of water and much dirt splashed around and it turned out that the real problem was not the DP itself though this was blocked as well but the drain further down in the ground which was full with rotten stuff, sand, small stones... All the dirt and stuff was worth a few pints... you can imagine.

But then water flowed freely down the drain and hubby has already restored the DP and refitted the brackets. Again thanks to all for the comments and also the encouragement, much appreciated. @Bendy_House You were right about the buzz

Bendy_House

Result!

Er, new screws?!...

sarahTT

Yeah, brand-new and slightly bigger. Now the DP is fit for a burglar to climb

Bendy_House

Lol! Brill!