Standing water in outside drain

pdblake

stuart45 said:

The trap might be cracked and leaking. 

I've just got home and poured some water down the drain. It does indeed stay there in the bottom so must have soaked away overnight. I've had my hand in there and it feels like there is a trap/u-bend thing (not an expert) and, in the bottom, a what feels like a chunk chipped or worn out. I'll have to wait until morning when it's soaked away again, but it looks like you're probably right.

stuart45

They often get cracked at the bottom.  People trying to clear a blockage ramming down drain rods, long chisels etc.

pdblake

Can they be filled at all? I'll need to let it drain again over night so I can see exactly what the problem is. Pretty sure I felt a hollow in it though.

I image it's only a couple of cups of water draining through it overnight, as it still has water in it now. The path it's in probably drains more than that over the sides whenever it rains.

It's in a concrete path so I don't particularly want to go digging it all up if I can avoid it.

stuart45

Once all the water's out, you might be able to find a hole in the bottom. There's a product called Ciment Fondue which is often used to repair drains. 
The problem with repairs on drains in a 40's house is that they're probably salt glazed pipes surrounded with concrete. 
It's worth stopping any leaks as it's not good for the foundations.

pdblake

Thanks, Ill look into it.