Blocked drain. How to tackle?
Discussion
rufusgti said:
We just had a downpour and the back yard is swimming with water. The drain is blocked. What is the procedure for unblocking. I have general household tools but can pop to screwfix if there's anything I should use.
Any help appreciated.
It's a bit difficult depending on how your drains are built - but firstly, find the longest pokey thing you can (bamboo cane, something like that). Stick it down the drain and wiggle it a bit, see if you can dislodge anything. Any help appreciated.
Do you have a manhole cover anywhere that could give you access from the other end?
Depends on the line, bends of the drain, if there is either a manhole cover or a suitable inlet to the drain, then drain rods as per link may remove blockage;
http://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/drain-rods/cat7670...
http://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/drain-rods/cat7670...
If you can get proper drain rods down then buy a set and its a pretty easy job.
If not... then see if you can shove your hand down the drain and remove as much crap as possible. It could be just some old leaves down there.
If all else fails then you can try pouring some hot kettles down the drain, followed by some strong drain unblocker.
If not... then see if you can shove your hand down the drain and remove as much crap as possible. It could be just some old leaves down there.
If all else fails then you can try pouring some hot kettles down the drain, followed by some strong drain unblocker.
Right, it's a more serious issue than first thought. The gully leads to the sewer. Theres two manholes in the courtyard. One by the gully is full of sewage and the other nearest the house is half full of clearer water. So it's backing right up.
I need to get some drain rods. But how far am I liable for. Am I liable for the drains all the way to my boundary. How does it work.
I need to get some drain rods. But how far am I liable for. Am I liable for the drains all the way to my boundary. How does it work.
rufusgti said:
Right, it's a more serious issue than first thought. The gully leads to the sewer. Theres two manholes in the courtyard. One by the gully is full of sewage and the other nearest the house is half full of clearer water. So it's backing right up.
I need to get some drain rods. But how far am I liable for. Am I liable for the drains all the way to my boundary. How does it work.
how long have you been in the property?I need to get some drain rods. But how far am I liable for. Am I liable for the drains all the way to my boundary. How does it work.
reason I ask is we have a similar set up and the crap backs up about every 5 years , its a s
t job but someone has to do it. Why is it always left to me though?get yourself a set of rods - enjoy - and watch out for any splash backs
ps it'll be a blockage of compacted s
te, bog roll and jam rags , on the outlet of the manhole furthest away from the direction of flow - it always is on ours anyway.Busa mav said:
Generally ,
If there is sewage from any other property passing through the manholes you speak of , Just phone your water authority , they ARE obliged to clear it foc for you.
If it is just dealing with your ste , then its down to you .
If there is sewage from any other property passing through the manholes you speak of , Just phone your water authority , they ARE obliged to clear it foc for you.
If it is just dealing with your s
te , then its down to you .Thankyou. An update.
I rang welsh water and they are sending someone out tonight to clear it. They now do all shared drains as you say.
Brilliant really.
My mum and dads drains would typically block up due to bad design allowing stuff to build up about every 3 or 4 years
Every 6 months or so dad and three neighbours all fill their baths up then empty them / flush the loos at the same time, always clears this particular issue
Not going to help the op probably but will hopefully help someone
Every 6 months or so dad and three neighbours all fill their baths up then empty them / flush the loos at the same time, always clears this particular issue
Not going to help the op probably but will hopefully help someone
rufusgti said:
Thankyou. An update.
I rang welsh water and they are sending someone out tonight to clear it. They now do all shared drains as you say.
Brilliant really.
. The down side of the recent changes means that you may end up paying them a fee if you wish to build close to or over what they now claim as a public sewer.
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