Unblocking outside drain

[Merlin5]

Hi guys. I've got two outside drains at the rear of the house, and one of them that serves the bath and washing machine (and those of my upstairs neighbour) was badly blocked with water sitting over the drain. I've removed the drain cover and stuck a long screwdriver into it and broke up a ton of crap. With gloves on, I put my arm in and removed it all, loads of white clumps which stink as well. I located the side exit hole under the water and reached as far as I could in to break up more stuff and then the water level went down. It's better now but I think it needs to go down another couple of inches to match my other drain.

I've no idea how to improve it though. Any ideas? I was thinking of jetting water into that side hole under the water but my jetwasher won't be able to do that and I'm not sure my hose is powerful enough. I also lifted the lid for the large main sewerage drain and it looks clear but I think there's more stuff blocking where it seems to be inaccessible.

This is the clear drain that takes rainwater, and the waterline just over 4 inches down.

This is the drain I just unblocked, waterline about 2 and a half inches down.

 

[Merlin5]

Thanks guys. I've edited my opening post with a couple of photos.

I was going to buy drain rods but I can't see how they would solve anything as there's nothing blocked vertically, I've removed everything until I felt a solid floor at the bottom. I'm thinking there's more stuff further in the side hole which I don't imagine drainage rods would fix unless they bend?

 

[Merlin5]

The stinking white clumps are old cooking fat/oil that some genius has been pouring down their kitchen sink.

I suggest going to your nearest hardware store, buying a set of drain rods and having a go yourself before calling out the drain jetters.

Out of interest, how much would drain jetters charge?

 

[Merlin5]

One other thing to try, lots of washing up liquid (like a litre or so) then buckets of hot water

Yes, I'm in a hard water area. Fortunately the water level is now acceptable I think, but yes, hot water and fairy liquid sounds like a very good idea, I'll try that. Would pouring my 2 litre Tesco bottle of thick bleach help as well?

I've just had to face something similar.
I checked the main pipe from the man hole was clear with drain rods and it was.
Then I donned marigolds and removed all the solids by hand as far as I could upto the bend.Then I used a thin metal rod to poke round the bend ....a metal coat hanger would be ideal...and then blasted it with the pressure washer which completed the job.

Can you tell me which drain rods you bought? Would these be any good? I don't know if they're flexible though.
https://www.diy.com/departments/bailey-12-piece-drain-rod-set/5016729030490_BQ.prd

Did you get your jetwasher pointed into the bend?

 

[Merlin5]

I've got similar but they won't go round tight bends hence using something like a coat hanger.
Get the jet washer nozzle right in as far as possible using a narrow jet.....and stand back lol

My red vileda mop bucket just fell apart today, became so brittle it was breaking off into pieces like brandy snaps, lol. But I've kept the thin metal handle as it's bendable and will probably work like a coat hanger. Yes, with the drain being such a small square area, there won't be much wiggle room for the pressure washer, I'll just be able to point the nozzle at the entrance to the exit hole and then I'll do as you suggest, stand well back!

Is there a man hole cover nearby?

Not sure flats count but shared drains are owned by the water board IIRC.

Yep, I lifted the manhole cover in my garden which is a just a few feet from both drains and it's clear. Interesting though if it's owned by the water board. I wonder if there's any chance of them inspecting and cleaning for free?

If our drain gets blocked, I tend to use the hosepipe on its strongest setting to try and clear it. I've also found using soda crystals or bleach is a cheap way to break down some of the blockage.

Failing that, something like Zep liquid heat drain unblocked will do the job.

I'll also give the hosepipe a try along with the pressure washer. I'll also pour down a large bottle of bleach and hot water. I'd not heard of Zep liquid heat drain, but I see it has excellent reviews. I can get it from Toolstation, 1 litre for £10.48. Is that how much I'd need?

 

[Merlin5]

If you have a karcher pressure washer you can also get an attachment to unblock drains

I have a Nilfisk. I'll see if they do a similar attachment.

Absolutely no expert but agree, it looks like something else? Never knew about the Calgon issue though (never tried the stuff as I think white goods lifespan is far shorter nowadays so a false economy).

I would try hot water, loads of bleach etc.

I've got the white gungy stuff in a black bag. I'll take a photo of it tomorrow. Looks like chunky white vomit and smells just like poo. Mmm, nice. But it's not poo thank god!

 

[Merlin5]

stick a full bottle of bleech in it late at night when people aren't likely to be unloading water down the drain
actual bleech, don't get that "better than bleech" gel crap it doesn't even melt turd stains from the side of a bowl.

Good idea doing it at night. I've got a yellow bottle of Tesco thick bleach so will throw that down the drain.

@Merlin5 seems they do. £32 on amazon

Thanks. I see that's the 15 metre one. But the 8 metre is just over £20 so maybe I'll go for that one.

If you use drain rods they don't necessarily have to reach the blockage themselves. The circular rubber attachment is designed so you can use it in a similar way to a plunger. It forms a seal in the bit of pipe you can get at, and you are using the pneumatics of the water that you can get at to cause a very powerful force against the blockage further down the pipe to try to force it through.

Thanks bazzabear, now I understand better.

Search for - Nilfisk Drain & Tube Cleaner 8M


I've also got these - https://www.screwfix.ie/p/bailey-19mm-blue-brass-jointed-drain-rod-set-9-14m/79897

Which are excellent. As bazzabear says using the attachments to build pressure to push away the blockage is what you're working to do. They were a lot cheaper when I purchased them and I'm not sure what the difference between the black and blue version is.


Regarding the water company, in general if you share a waste connection then anything under ground is for them to deal with. I'm not sure if that applies to flats though, best check with them.

Thanks Azza for the link. I see the black are made of steel and the blue are brass, but the steel ones are a lot cheaper at £29 and the brass are £48. Do you think the steel rods will be sufficient?
I'll check with the water board. I live in an edwardian era terraced house which was converted years ago into two flats.

I think this is the correct Nilfisk Drain & Tube Cleaner?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-Cl...ocphy=1006886&hvtargid=pla-416425218440&psc=1

 

[Merlin5]

I have that one. Works well, although be careful to keep it well under the water line or you will end up with the drain deposits all over you.

Good point!

 

[Merlin5]

This isn't terribly relevant, but you've reminded me of a story. I once had the gutter overflowing at my old house, so I was investigating what was going on, and realised the bottom of the downpipe was completely blocked with something. (It was badly designed, with a flat end which was only a few mm above the grid to the drain.)

I failed to make some pretty obvious deductions at this point, and just set to with a screwdriver trying to wiggle out what was blocking the downpipe. It turned out to be a few stones, with an empty pill blister pack lying on top of them.

Of course, as soon as the pack was dislodged, suddenly I had a 20 foot tall pillar of water exerting pressure on a very small opening, and I got absolutely deluged with stinky, stagnant gutter water. It was such a surprise to me when this suddenly erupted that I gave out a little scream (well, manly yell obviously) so I got some of it in my mouth too.

Sorry about you getting covered in it, but excellent story