unblocking a cement clogged drain

[shirt]

the drain for my kitchen sink is blocked due to cement render I've mixed outside washing into the grate with the rain. no other drains are affected and the main access cover is about 4ft away.

can I unblock it myself? I have tried by hand but got nothing other than a smelly arm for my troubles. I am planning to rod it using a broom handle - advisable?

also, given that I want to buy a pressure washer this weekend, would a 130bar unit be up to dislodging the cement? I'd much rather spend cash on a washer and do it myself rather than pay the equivalent of the purchase price with dynorod

[Flintstone]

A pressure washer might work if the render mix is soft enough and you can direct the jet. Have you tried rodding with the spiral (worm) attachment first? Might break it up a bit.

[shirt]

haven't tried to rod it at all yet, though that tool looks handy. the cement was largely sand based as a render so it should be soft enough to jet I hope!

[Wacky Racer]

If it's still fairly soft, (which it should be, being in a wet drain and being mainly sand), a good burst with a decent high pressure wash should wash it away, but use copious amounts of water to thin it out as much as possible.

[shirt]

I'm thinking of getting a 110bar washer purely as theyre on a big discount (60quid from 160) at a local trade supplier. next best powerful one at a decent price is 130bar for 140quid. will the cheaper one suffice?

[Deva Link]

shirt said:

I'm thinking of getting a 110bar washer purely as theyre on a big discount (60quid from 160) at a local trade supplier. next best powerful one at a decent price is 130bar for 140quid. will the cheaper one suffice?

Unless you have a drain unblocking attachment, you proabably wont be able to get the high pressure lance near enough to the blockage.

You should lift the access cover and put something there to catch any lumps that you do dislodge so that they don't cause a blockage downstream.

Edited by Deva Link on Friday 16th July 14:25

[Wacky Racer]

Deva Link said:

shirt said:

I'm thinking of getting a 110bar washer purely as theyre on a big discount (60quid from 160) at a local trade supplier. next best powerful one at a decent price is 130bar for 140quid. will the cheaper one suffice?

Unless you have a drain unblocking attachment, you proabably wont be able to get the high pressure lance near enough to the blockage.

You should lift the access cover and put something there to catch any lumps that you do dislodge so that they don't cause a blockage downstream.

Yes, good advice.

[lost in espace]

Wacky Racer said:

Deva Link said:

shirt said:

I'm thinking of getting a 110bar washer purely as theyre on a big discount (60quid from 160) at a local trade supplier. next best powerful one at a decent price is 130bar for 140quid. will the cheaper one suffice?

Unless you have a drain unblocking attachment, you proabably wont be able to get the high pressure lance near enough to the blockage.

You should lift the access cover and put something there to catch any lumps that you do dislodge so that they don't cause a blockage downstream.

Yes, good advice.

Use the wife's collander or sieve. She will love you for this. How about 5l of brick acid?

[shirt]

whoa, don't marry me off just yet!

hmm, brick acid is an idea. could stick it down tonight then rod/blast tomorrow. is it likely to damage the drain at all?

[TooLateForAName]

likely to make a mess of you when you spray it all over in the morning.

[shirt]

not really an issue, the whole yard will be getting de-gunked so I'm expecting to look like a swamp creature by the end of the day!

[Deva Link]

shirt said:

not really an issue, the whole yard will be getting de-gunked so I'm expecting to look like a swamp creature by the end of the day!

- he meant the acid!

[shirt]

didn't bother with the acid, read the label in b&q and decided my piss was stronger! might look in the builders merchants in the morning for a stronger solution.

[jeebus]

I had the same problem and used 5 litres of brick acid, it was called cementone brick and mortar cleaner and I got it from the local builders merchants. Problem solved in about 10 seconds.

edit for spelling.

Edited by jeebus on Friday 16th July 21:35

[shirt]

maybe it is stronger than my piss then! I'll give it a whirl, cheers all.