Blocked drain - should this grate come off?

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Drain 2.jpg
Drain.jpg
The pictured drain gets blocked periodically - everything drains into it - shower, bath, all sinks, dishwasher and washing machine so every so often I need to clear bits of hair and food out of it (I realise it could do with a good repoint!).

Today it's really blocked - I've ladled all the water out into a bucket but the blockage is further down - I've poked a thin stick through the grate and can feel that it's silted up so I thought it would be a simple matter of lifting off the grate and getting my hand (gloved) down there but the grate seems completely solid. I thought it would come off to allow access to the clay pipe but could it be cemented in place? I don't want to pull on something I shouldn't be pulling and end up with a real mess.

I'm fairly certain that it's a problem with this drain specifically rather than anything further down. but if I can't get this grate off is there anything I can buy to help get rid of the blockage? I was looking at the 'drain snake' type things at toolstation/screwfix but they seem to be for indoor blockages.

Any suggestions much appreciated.
 
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Yes grate must come off - if you've got a sharp HSS metal drill then drill through the edge of the cast iron next to a slot - do 4 like a cross , then 1 in the middle . Then whack it hard in the middle , it should break . Let us know here how it goes (y)
 
Won't the grate lift up and off, using a couple of hook tools? Probably need a bit of persuasion.
 
Thanks both. I'll try hooking it out before drilling.
 
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It looks like the PVC pipe is in the way a stopping the grate from being lifted up . you might have to cut around the pipe or maybe replace they are cheap enough mainly of PVC these days .
 
Looks like someone has used some black sticky stuff and stuck the grate down. A bit of force should release it.
 
I was looking at the 'drain snake' type things at toolstation/screwfix but they seem to be for indoor blockages.
First off, check for a local manhole(s) for a blockage, otherwise it’s pointless trying to half clear something. The grate should come off, I don’t think anything has been used, I’d say that’s just grease buildup. If the manhole(s) is clear, the I’d be using a drain rod with rubber /plunger disc on, looks 4”.
 
Thanks all. I eventually got the grate off with the help of a couple of pan hooks stolen from the kitchen. Once I knew it was intended to be removed I could pull appropriately hard! I cannot believe how much was stuck in that drain, a bucketful of foul smelling decomposing waste. Thank goodness for long long gloves. There was a plastic bag down there, goodness knows how but we've always had issues with our dishwasher so maybe it's been causing issues for a long time.

Shower time now. Thanks again.
 
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Yes grate must come off - if you've got a sharp HSS metal drill then drill through the edge of the cast iron next to a slot - do 4 like a cross , then 1 in the middle . Then whack it hard in the middle , it should break . Let us know here how it goes (y)

Why wreck it?

It will simply be stuck with debris. Find something like a metal coat hanger, with the end folded to form a hook, hook a corner on the grid and pull it up.

A wet vac, if you have access to one, will suck out the mess at the bottom, then try flushing with plenty of water until clear.
 
I eventually got the grate off with the help of a couple of pan hooks stolen from the kitchen.
It will simply be stuck with debris. Find something like a metal coat hanger, with the end folded to form a hook, hook a corner on the grid and pull it up.
Did you get sidetracked Harry or not read the last post? ;)
 

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