Unblocking gutter drain
Discussion
Morning all,
couple of questions if I may?
1920's house. I have a gutter down pipe that heads under ground. It empties slowly. Upon sticking my hand down as far as it will go, I can feel built up sand and soil. I can be removed by scraping, but my arm is only this long (for the benefit of those that can't see, I'm holding up my arm).
Pics at bottom.
1) what's a good way to clear this? I tried a smallish pressure washer, but that does nothing as I can't get the nozzle to where the dirt is. I know the "snake" type wire things are OK for sewer blockages, but perhaps this needs more of a digging motion.
I guess drainage companies have pressure equipment to deal with this, but it seems a lot of expense for a smallish problem, and I wondered if anyone knew of a good DIY solution I could try first?
2) I understand that before the 30's, most houses had combined sewers and rain collection. The side path (where the photo is taken) is right over the foul sewer for the house.
From the look of this set up, can anyone tell that it heads to a sewer?
I know this is a long shot, and I will get round to pouring some dye down there and then lifting the manhole at some point.
thanks,
Ian
couple of questions if I may?
1920's house. I have a gutter down pipe that heads under ground. It empties slowly. Upon sticking my hand down as far as it will go, I can feel built up sand and soil. I can be removed by scraping, but my arm is only this long (for the benefit of those that can't see, I'm holding up my arm).
Pics at bottom.
1) what's a good way to clear this? I tried a smallish pressure washer, but that does nothing as I can't get the nozzle to where the dirt is. I know the "snake" type wire things are OK for sewer blockages, but perhaps this needs more of a digging motion.
I guess drainage companies have pressure equipment to deal with this, but it seems a lot of expense for a smallish problem, and I wondered if anyone knew of a good DIY solution I could try first?
2) I understand that before the 30's, most houses had combined sewers and rain collection. The side path (where the photo is taken) is right over the foul sewer for the house.
From the look of this set up, can anyone tell that it heads to a sewer?
I know this is a long shot, and I will get round to pouring some dye down there and then lifting the manhole at some point.
thanks,
Ian
Thanks guys
replacing the cambelt has just bumped sorting the drains off today's to-do list, but I will have a go with the hose first.
I usually use any household job as an excuse to buy new tools (e.g. the brand new RIBE set I've got for my car's belt), but my pressure washer was nearly as much as that, (and isn't a Karcher, so not sure the attachment will match).
I will give the £2.35 spray adapter from Toolstation a go first, before upping the ante. I appreciate the pointer though.
Is it the lack of traps?
I've never noticed smells down there, but then I'm hardly ever in that part of the garden, and of course the pipe is fairly well blocked.
I'm planning to bring another source of drainage into this grill, so any pointers to improve it would be welcome.
Ian
replacing the cambelt has just bumped sorting the drains off today's to-do list, but I will have a go with the hose first.
BlackZeD said:
This looks nice. I usually use any household job as an excuse to buy new tools (e.g. the brand new RIBE set I've got for my car's belt), but my pressure washer was nearly as much as that, (and isn't a Karcher, so not sure the attachment will match).
I will give the £2.35 spray adapter from Toolstation a go first, before upping the ante. I appreciate the pointer though.
wolfracesonic said:
It looks a bit of a poor set up all round.
Intrigued by this comment. Genuine question: in what way is it poor? It is 20's stuff, e.g. the surround is 3 bricks, rather than the modern pre-cast blocks.Is it the lack of traps?
I've never noticed smells down there, but then I'm hardly ever in that part of the garden, and of course the pipe is fairly well blocked.
I'm planning to bring another source of drainage into this grill, so any pointers to improve it would be welcome.
Ian
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