Sewage blockage

Zab

There is a manhole in my garage with part of the sewage system under it. There is a blockage so it currently has about 30cm of sewage waste in it.

This is making it quite difficult to work out what the configuration is as I cannot see anything.

I have found two pipes that I assume are coming from the house. There is also a pipe/gap leaving downwards but if there's a turn at the bottom then I can't get a rod around it.

There is also what I assume is a capped pipe at about a 45 degree angle above the downward exit. My guess is that this is a cleanout but I am unsure how to open it. It feels like it is a capped pipe with a bar across it holding down the cap.

I was told by the previous owner that I could pull a chain which would "pull a plug" and release what is currently in the sewer. I found the chain but it is no longer attached to anything.

I have tried pulling on various parts of the "cleanout" but I'm hesitant to take a tool to it until I have a better idea of how it opens. Does it sound familiar to anybody? I have included a very rough sketch of how it feels. The part at the top at the end of the bar could well have had the chain attached but it isn't budging if I yank it.

K.Flyer

From what you described the pipe going down is probably blocked.
You will need a plunger disc securely tightened to the end of a rod.
You don't try to get around the bend, use it as you would use a sink plunger on a basin.
Hopefully you the disturb whatever is causing the blockage and the manhole will empty and run freely again.

This is what you are dealing with. Most likely the bend is where the blockage is..

Zab

That's excellent K.Flyer. I will try the plunger disc tomorrow and let you know how it goes!

Zab

Zab wrote: »

That's excellent K.Flyer. I will try the plunger disc tomorrow and let you know how it goes!

That worked a treat K.Flyer, nice one. Just one fairly gentle push got things moving.

Thanks again!

SlowBlowin

Love it when s%!t works out...