how to unblock a drain pipe outside

Run the snake into the opposite end of the drain, if it was not long enough to go through the entire … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Well, you can – and here’s how to do it: Simply pour some of the caustic soda (a few tablespoons should do it) down the drain Next, add some water and allow the soda to fizz away The debris causing the blockage will now have risen to the top If you think a foul water pipe is affected, run the water in your sink or flush the toilet to see what happens. The only caveat is that snakes are relatively useful for clogs like leaves and twigs that can be grabbed and pulled out en masse – they’re not so good with clumped dirt and mud. Once you've identified the cleanout line, remove the cap. Simply cleaning grates regularly could go a long way toward preventing flooding and damage to landscaping. Twist, push and pull the cable to break it up and unclog the drain. Drain covers can be purchased at your local hardware store. To unclog an outdoor drain pipe, take along a plastic trash bag to put any found debris that is likely to be the source of the clog. That means that leaves, dirt, and even particularly heavy rainstorms may overload and ultimately cause clogging issues to this drain. Outdoor drains are susceptible to clogging with leaves or mud. Here are a few things you can try first when you experience a yard drain pipe clogged with dirt or detritus. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, then pour a large pot of boiling water down the drain to lift loose material and flush the clog down the drain. Even so, you may periodically experience issues like outside drain and French Drain pipes clogged with dirt and debris that causes backups and flooding. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,002 times. How to Unclog a Drain with a Snake. These pipes, which at the end of the run, connect to the city sewer system. There may be objects hidden under the water or in the clog that could cause irritation. Drain Rodding. After you break up the clog, pour about 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water down the drain using your hose to test the drainage and to get rid of any loose material. Your drain pipe will have some kind of grate over the opening to catch large debris like leaves, twigs, and so on. If you’re not certain you have a clogged yard drain pipe because there’s no visible pooling, look for these clues of an outside drain clogged with dirt, debris, or roots. First, you may experience flooding from an outside drain blocked with mud or debris. Before plunging cover the overflow with a damp cloth to ensure a drain seal and force the air out through the drain blockage. In some cases, figuring out how to unclog outdoor drain pipes is relatively easy, and you could save some money with a DIY approach. Proper grading can go a long way toward preventing issues with standing water in outdoor spaces, but for flatter expanses, you may also need a suitable outdoor drainage system to siphon away water and protect landscaping from flooding and subsequent damage. This method of clearing drains is non-invasive and good for the environment. If the drain still runs slow, use your drain rods until it works again. Practical Tips on Unclogging Outdoor Drain Pipes & Portals. Then, use 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break apart any residual obstructions. It's the force of the push that forces air through the pipe to clear the clog. Tip: If the grate is heavy, you may need to use a grate hook to lift it. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Clear the Blockage. Using your drainage rods, attempt to flush out the blockage. Landscape drainage operates on a straightforward system. Once of the oldest tricks in the book, boiling water. Is it inside the waste pipe outlet from the bathtub, the … % of people told us that this article helped them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg\/aid10596114-v4-728px-Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"