Drain pipes blocked but not that simple !

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Brian Lacey

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On behalf of my son.
Last year he moved into a 30 year old (late 70's/early 80's built) house. It is on a large estate development, a mix of sizes and styles.
This week he found out that the rain water is not draining away from roof and garage and is backing up in the downpipes and then overflowing the guttering. So the assumption is that the pipe must be blocked underground...somewhere !
The two downpipes both back up and he thinks that they must join together and the blockage is beyond that. The difficulty is that where they enter the ground at the side of the house is through a solid concrete path, no slabbing, all one piece concrete and 30 yrs old so nicely seasoned !
My only thought was to see if he could remove and pull the downpipes up from the concrete and then try to get the hosepipe down and flush the blockage. ( There are lots of big, mature trees all alongside the garden so probably a leaf blockage.) If he can pull the drainpipe up will he be able to get it back in again ?
We assume that the rain water must go into a soakaway and not the main drains but again he has no idea whatsoever of where it might be.
If anyone has any further thoughts or ideas then please feel free to contribute as he is trying to avoid a Dynorod expensive experience !
Thanks
Brian.
 
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Start by checking the downpipe isnt blocked.

It sounds like the downpipe goes straight into soil pipe rather than a gully with a grill.

You will need to pull the downpipe out first. You might be lucky and find a silt / leaf trap, but without a gully its unlikely, I expect the downpipe goes straight into a bit of soil pipe with a 90 deg bend.

Its worth confirming if there is a soakaway -is it in the lawn? Often its possible to see it. Sadly soakaways get silted up and it backs up the soil pipe.
 
Notch7 said:
Start by checking the downpipe isnt blocked.

It sounds like the downpipe goes straight into soil pipe rather than a gully with a grill.

You will need to pull the downpipe out first. You might be lucky and find a silt / leaf trap, but without a gully its unlikely, I expect the downpipe goes straight into a bit of soil pipe with a 90 deg bend.

Its worth confirming if there is a soakaway -is it in the lawn? Often its possible to see it. Sadly soakaways get silted up and it backs up the soil pipe.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.
The downpipes are not blocked, that was his first check. Yes, the pipes go directly into/through the concrete path.
He has no idea even if there is a soakaway, he just assumes that there must be (building regs) but how do you find it ? Garden is lawn/flowerbeds and all 30yrs matured, no obvious sign of where it might be.
Cheers
Brian.
 
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I have seen SW drain pipes (ones that have the DP discharging straight into the pipe and not via a gully) completely full of mud/silt. Some soakaway systems have a lifespan of a few decades only.

My guess is that your drain pipes are packed solid and renewal is the answer.
 
Posting some pictures of the pipes and general area around house might help.

Might the tree roots have affected the buried pipes/ soakaway: have the neighbours had similar problems; did the seller disclose drainage as an issue?

Can the pipes be diverted into a soil pipe as a temporary measure, or even a water barrel or rain harvesting system?

Blup
 
Son has been busy and made a temp' fix as picture.
He says the square pipe is fixed firm in the concrete and won't pull out but he now has access. A few inches down and it's a 90 degree bend under a concrete patio. He tried flushing with the hose but all that came back was a gritty suspension which does seem to indicate a totally bunged up pipe that will have to be replaced at some point.
Thanks again.
Cheers
Brian.
20190511_114919.jpg water.jpg
 
That joint is upside down and will direct water onto the wall causing internal damp.

Andy
 
HERTSDRAINAGE2010 said:
That joint is upside down and will direct water onto the wall causing internal damp.

Andy
Click to expand...
Yes, son did it like that because the blockage is underground and so as the water rises it will flow out easier. he said it is away from the wall.
Cheers
Brian.
 
Who came up with the stupid idea of square downpipes?

They are a pain in the arris. (y)
 
Having had previous experience of this rather silly practice of concreting drain pipes in, I now always have a look around if I am buying a fresh house which I do more often than most folks. Just encountered the problem again but really wanted the house so I cut it off dispensed with the gunge which emerged then fitted a shoe on the bottom so that the water ran straight on to the concrete path and ultimately found it's way out to the street. You can't do that said mrs (she fears all kinds of officialdom) - "Who says? I replied but of course she doesn't know LOL.
 
Eccles said:
I cut it off dispensed with the gunge which emerged then fitted a shoe on the bottom so that the water ran straight on to the concrete path and ultimately found it's way out to the street.
Click to expand...
A very public spirited citizen :!:
If you leave your address it can be reported to your local council.
 
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