Blocked drain outside

wilkie2006

Hi all,

I know there's a similar thread to this but I think my blocked drain is thanks to leaves etc. The grate seems to be cemented into place so I can't get to what's underneath. Anything I could pour down it? I'm only renting it for the last 6 months so I'm reluctant to pay for someone to come out (given that there's probably a lot more than 6 months' worth of blockage there).

Also, what are the implications of not getting this sorted? When the washing machine's on a large pool of water collects outside; I appreciate that nothing will probably happen in the short-term but could it lead to subsidence later on?

The house is about 100 years old so the pipes mightn't be in great condition.

I'd be grateful for any advice.

Cheers

W

Outkast_IRE

If your renting it sounds like your landlords problem , leave him know about it as soon as possible.

wilkie2006

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

If your renting it sounds like your landlords problem , leave him know about it as soon as possible.

That's a good point. Cheers.

The landlord's pretty sound though and - although I'll go to her if it's a big job - if it's easy to fix myself I'd prefer to do that.

Outkast_IRE

wilkie2006 wrote: »

That's a good point. Cheers.

The landlord's pretty sound though and - although I'll go to her if it's a big job - if it's easy to fix myself I'd prefer to do that.

I would agree with you that renters should be willing to do little things for themselves , but as you said the grate is cemented into position leaving you unable to do it. Most landlords wouldnt want a tenant knocking away cement to lift a grate without looking at it themselves first.
So if it was me i would say its reasonable for the landlord to sort it.

paddy147

I wouldnt say that the grate is cemented into place.

More like its stuck thanks to the general crud and soil that does get in and around the drain grate over time.The crud tends to kind of solidify after a certain amount of time.

A small to medium sized flathead screwdriver and lever the grate up and out.

Its probably just general crud and leaves blocking up the the neck/bend of the drain below the grate.

Nothing a small hand trowel/shovel and your arm/hand cant sort out in a matter of minutes.

Oh and a 1.5 litre coke bottle cut in half and then used to scoop out the excess water.
The more water that comes out,then the easier it will be to see the blockage at the bottom of the pipe and scoop it out.

Then some bleach/disinfectant and a couple of buckets of hot water thrown down the drain,and problem solved in a matter of minutes.

Then jump into a good hot shower/bath.

Works a treat for me.



Simples.:)

wilkie2006

paddy147 wrote: »

I wouldnt say that the grate is cemented into place.

More like its stuck thanks to the general crud and soil that does get in and around the drain grate over time.The crud tends to kind of solidify after a certain amount of time.

A small to medium sized flathead screwdriver and lever the grate up and out.

Its probably just general crud and leaves blocking up the the neck/bend of the drain below the grate.

Nothing a small hand trowel/shovel and your arm/hand cant sort out in a matter of minutes.

I've been quite busy lately but got around to having a proper look at the drain this afternoon. You're right - it was just a load of muck that had become solid.

Anyway, it's all sorted now. Wow, what an unpleasant job! It was horrible but satisfying, though. I'm kinda glad I didn't need to get a man out to fix it for me - I think I might have felt a bit emasculated!

paddy147 wrote: »

Oh and a 1.5 litre coke bottle cut in half and then used to scoop out the excess water.

This was a particularly good piece of advice - thanks a million!

Also, thanks to Outkast. You're both deadly!

antoinolachtnai

There is at least some risk to doing this. If there is anything sharp down there you might cut yourself. And there could be some nasty bacteria growing down in that mess which you would not want near a cut. I am not saying there is a big chance of this, but it is something to be aware of. If you are not experienced doing this sort of thing, you are much more likely to accidentally cut yourself. If you do cut yourself, you will certainly need to consider medical attention to get a tetanus shot.

I would avoid skin contact with this type of dirt and water as much as possible. You could try using a washing up glove, and/or a plastic bag to provide some degree of protection.

If you have a power washer, that might do the job too (although you are just washing the dirt further down the drainage system).

paddy147

wilkie2006 wrote: »

I've been quite busy lately but got around to having a proper look at the drain this afternoon. You're right - it was just a load of muck that had become solid.

Anyway, it's all sorted now. Wow, what an unpleasant job! It was horrible but satisfying, though. I'm kinda glad I didn't need to get a man out to fix it for me - I think I might have felt a bit emasculated!




This was a particularly good piece of advice - thanks a million!

Also, thanks to Outkast. You're both deadly!

Well fair play to you for getting stuck in and unblocking it.:)

alandublin33

get a loan of sewer/chimney sweeping rods , and there'll be a another shore further up or down the line and feed them up in either direction. or get a good powerwasher and blast away under the waterline , be careful to avoid splash back