Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

How to clear blocked outside drain

  • 18-09-2010 4:03pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23


    I have a drain outside that is blocked with some sort of grey speckled sludge(maybe grease or soap?). It seems to be connected to the kitchen sink since it overflows if I do the dishes(drain lots of water at once). At the moment it's full white murky water (rain) but usually it's just some sort of thick(and smelly) sludge. How can I block it since the clog is backing up outside rather than into the kitchen sink? I tried pouring boiling water down the outside drain(maybe I should've done it in the sink) but that appeared to have no affect. I can't use a plunger since it won't fit over the drain.

    Should I try some sort of liquid drain cleaner or caustic soda? Is that safe to use on the outside drain (seems like the housing is plastic)? There seems to be at least a few inches of this sludge before wherever the clog is(goes down to a bend in the pipe).

    Are blocked drains a landlord's responsibility? I'd prefer to try to clear this myself if I can though.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,261 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    Is it a standard gulley? If so, get some thick marigolds and put your hand in and see how it goes. Never know what you might find


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 tk05


    Yep, you were right.
    I put on some gloves but unfortunately the gulley was MUCH deeper (almost the entire length of my arm) than I thought it was so the foul water went straight into the glove (truly disgusting experience. I think I'll take a shower now). Manged to grab onto some muck at the end and it immediately started draining. Seemed to be composed of slimy dirt, pebbles, disintegrating leaves, twigs and a few used cigarettes (which is strange since I don't smoke. I wonder if it's connected to the drainage system of neighbouring flats).

    Thanks for the advice. I very much doubt any liquid drain cleaner would've taken care of that properly so I'm glad I didn't buy any.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,261 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    Yeah, its not a pretty job at all. I've done it myself for my own house..... Showers to the ready....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 589 ✭✭✭danjo


    Buy one of those plastic kitchen tools in Lidl for €1 or €2.
    A type of thing you would use for lifting boiled vegetables.
    Looks like a big perforated spoon.

    Wear the marigolds and scoop out the sludge. Works very well for me. Gets right down and allows the water to drain off the ***t.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Had a similar issue a while back. Stuck a broom down into and managed to fish up a lot of disgusting stuff. After a few minutes it cleared. 70 euro in call out charges saved :)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭tred


    biko wrote: »
    Had a similar issue a while back. Stuck a broom down into and managed to fish up a lot of disgusting stuff. After a few minutes it cleared. 70 euro in call out charges saved :)

    Dam Buster , u can get it in heatmerchants, fierce toxic, but clears all that gunk away. You can smell it burning it up!!. And u dont have to stick ur hands gloves or no gloves down those gullys.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,261 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    tred wrote: »
    Dam Buster , u can get it in heatmerchants, fierce toxic, but clears all that gunk away. You can smell it burning it up!!. And u dont have to stick ur hands gloves or no gloves down those gullys.

    Yeah, but the manual method is much cheaper:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,036 ✭✭✭murphym7


    I have a problem with a drain to the side of the house that leads from the washing machine, also another drain at the back of the house that comes from the kitchen sink. Both drains are always full of water but rarely overflow – they are at a constant level all the time – any ideas of what this might be? Could it be a simple blockage? If it is though why is there a constant level of water in each drain?


Advertisement