Blocked Drain

[MarcMCFC1986]

Not sure if this is the right section for this...

Noticed over the last week that sometimes the drains stink, and been putting plug hole unblocked down them but making no difference. Noticed tonight that it is the outside drain that is blocked. Hoping that with it only been happening the last week that it isn't too major a blockage, so want to get it cleared before it develops.

Could anybody recommend a product to pour down the drain, or any home made remedies?

Thanks

 

[KenGMac]

MarcMCFC1986, good evening.

Your home Insurance will sort it, but your premiums will rise next year [that is why there is Compare the market??] not tom mention the dreaded Excess??

if you have a "secondary" insurance such as the type pushed by the energy providers, such insurances cover all the white goods and electrical and [in this context] drains and water supplies?? if you have such insurances in place make a claim?? these types of insurances do not have an Excess and no rise in next years premium??

OK now back to your question, pouring proprietary drain cleaners into an blocked drain such as you describe will not work, you need to find the nearest manhole down stream and use drain rods, or preferably a drain jetter to clear the blockage.

If??? the distance between the nearest manhole and the blockage is short? you can use a garden hose, pushed up the drain towards the blockage, combined with a set of drain cleaning rods [try the screw head] to free up the blockage.

Ken.

 

[SpecialK]

Is it a shared drain outside? Do other houses drain into it?

 

[KenGMac]

Especially if the property is in Scotland?

 

[SpecialK]

Especially if the property is in Scotland?

Im not sure what you mean. If its a shared sewer and that is what is blocked then the water/drainage company is responsible. (not the bit from main sewer to house)

 

[KenGMac]

If the property is in Scotland, and the blocked drain is a part of two or more dwellings, up here in the far frozen north [Scotland] then Scottish Water will undertake and fund all repairs from the main sewer in the street, including the branch to each property affected.

Just one of the quirky differences spanning the border?

Ken

 

[SpecialK]

Same in England since 2011 I think? If its a shared drain the water company is responsible.

If the property is in Scotland, and the blocked drain is a part of two or more dwellings, up here in the far frozen north [Scotland] then Scottish Water will undertake and fund all repairs from the main sewer in the street, including the branch to each property affected.

Just one of the quirky differences spanning the border?

Ken

 

[foxhole]

If it’s sewer then maybe the water company , not guaranteed though .
https://www.severntrentsearches.com/the-con29dw-explained-sewer-adoption-agreements/

 

[JohnD]

please photograph the drain you have in mind. Is it a gully? Does the sink drain into it? WC? Gutters?

Does anybody in the house allow cooking fat into the sink?

Is there a manhole nearby?

Are the drains made of brownish glazed clay ("pottery")? How old are they?

 

[MarcMCFC1986]

please photograph the drain you have in mind. Is it a gully? Does the sink drain into it? WC? Gutters?

Does anybody in the house allow cooking fat into the sink?

Is there a manhole nearby?

Are the drains made of brownish glazed clay ("pottery")? How old are they?

Hello - thank you for all replies.

I'm at work at present, but can photograph later. The sink and Gutters drain into it, but has a cover over it so shouldn't be leaves. Only me and my girlfriend live there, but don't use too much fat - and that which we do use we usually pour into an empty jar rather than down the drain.

I've never really noticed the nearest manhole as this is the first drainage problem we've had since moving in 2 years ago - so, again, I will check manhole covers tonight.

The drain is a brownish clay - and the house was built in 60's. When I shoved my hand down it yesterday it went around 60cm down, then into a bend - but all was clear the length of my arm, obviously I couldn't tell anything beyond that.

It has drained a little quicker this morning, as last night I poured lots and lots of boiling water down it in case it was a build up of fat - but I'd still describe it as slow draining.

 

[JohnD]

if you've got a hosepipe, it is flexible enough to poke round the curve and may reach any blockage.

If the clay pipe is cracked (very common) it may be choked with roots or mud. In which case it needs digging out and replacing. A cracked drain is often detected because the paving above it will be cracked, patched or sunken because the ground has been washed away.

 

[MarcMCFC1986]

if you've got a hosepipe, it is flexible enough to poke round the curve and may reach any blockage.

If the clay pipe is cracked (very common) it may be choked with roots or mud. In which case it needs digging out and replacing. A cracked drain is often detected because the paving above it will be cracked, patched or sunken because the ground has been washed away.

Thankfully, none of those telltale signs are showing, so hopefully the hosepipe trick will do the job - my dad suggested that earlier too.

 

[MarcMCFC1986]

please photograph the drain you have in mind. Is it a gully? Does the sink drain into it? WC? Gutters?

Does anybody in the house allow cooking fat into the sink?

Is there a manhole nearby?

Are the drains made of brownish glazed clay ("pottery")? How old are they?

I’ve ordered some drain rods, and will then look for a manhole cover - think it’s in next doors back garden.

Photo of drains attached...

 

[JohnD]

Where is the soil pipe from your WC?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

First thing I'd try is to remove the grid from the gulley, and using the plunder attachment on the end of a rod, (make sure it's on firmly and isn't going to come off), give the gulley a vigorous plunging, preferably with water running into it to wash away anything you disturb.

If this fails to clear it, then it's time to go manhole hunting, and it that's next door, and it's full, then the problem is downstream and it's time to call the Water company.