Take a look at this step-by-step guide for unblocking your drains. Work the auger or rod in both directions of the drain line — back towards the house and out from the house. It is about time you got to work. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Significant blockages could cause pressure to build and pipes to crack or collapse. Put on elbow-length rubber gloves before you begin. Outdoor drains are susceptible to clogging with leaves or mud. If the drain is in an area with a lot of foot traffic, lay down a flat rubber drain screen over it. Remove the drain strainer or grate to access the outside drain clogged with dirt. For dirt or mud, you might need a professional to use a hydro-jet or other method to clear the blockage. You can unblock an external or outdoor drain by lifting up the grate covering it and breaking up the clog with your hands or a drain rod if you can reach it. Boiling Water. The qualified professionals at Zodega TIS can assess the cause of your clog, address damage, and get your system back in working order. Tip: If there's a chance of rain, cover the drain with a rag or plug so the vinegar and baking soda don't rinse out. Whether you need landscaping, irrigation, or outside drain cleaning services in Houston, contact our experienced team at 713-480-2372 or contact us online today to learn more and get a quote. Pour a bucket of hot water into the sink to melt the blockage. Enzyme cleaners come in liquid or granular form and can be purchased online or from your local hardware store. Follow these steps to use caustic soda to unblock an outside drain: • Pour caustic soda down the drain • Pour water and wait for soda to fizz away • The debris will rise to the top • Add more water to remove the debris. While you can, of course, unclog outdoor drain and French Drain pipes as needed, this is a good example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. Run the snake into the opposite end of the drain, if it was not long enough to go through the entire … Simply cleaning grates regularly could go a long way toward preventing flooding and damage to landscaping. This is usually a short, white pipe about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and sealed with a screw-on cap. Your outside drain may be connected to not only your in-home fixtures, but runoff from roof drains, area drains, and more may also be connected. Use your flashlight to reach inside the drain pipe or system opening to carefully remove any debris that is seen or felt right at the entrance. Make sure you’re wearing your rubber gloves before putting your hands in the water. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Step by Step guide for unclogging drainage pipes that attach to downspouts. Use thick waterproof gloves that come up to your elbow. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. – A pressure hose that can clean the drain after you’re done unblocking it – A screwdriver that can fit in blocked areas – Eye goggles if there’s a potential danger of a pipe burst or anything similar – A large version of the regular drain rod, or as some like to call it, a drain snake The property owner should carefully remove these screens or grate covers to better see into the darkened drain tunnel and to rinse the screens thoroughly with water or a pressure hose. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Drain covers can be purchased at your local hardware store. Safely secure the ladder against your brickwork — don’t attempt to clear drain pipes on your own, someone should always be at the foot of your ladder. If neither cleaning the trap nor plunging clears a plumbing clog, your final weapon is a drain auger (also known as a snake). This equipment will make your job easier and faster. Outside Drain Unblocker: Tools and Chemicals. Using your drainage rods, attempt to flush out the blockage. Generally, it’s not too difficult to spot an outdoor drain clogged with mud because it will start to back up, resulting in visible pooling. Your outside drain then becomes blocked with grease, leaves, dirt and other debris. This article has been viewed 73,002 times. Yes, you can make your own outdoor drain cleaner using vinegar and baking soda. Put on protective gloves, and search for the outdoor drainage pipes that may have clogged due to some sort of outside … This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Simply reach into the drain using the rod and gently feel around until you come across the problem blockage. If you can’t clear a blockage on your own, or you’re not keen on getting your hands dirty, it’s time to contact experts in outside drainage, blocked storm drain cleaning, and French Drain cleaning. Tip: Enzyme cleaners are safe to use with septic tank lines since they won't harm the helpful bacteria. Chemical Drain Cleaners. How to Unclog a Drain with a Snake. Gloves will protect your hands from anything in the water and keep your hands dry as you break the clog apart. Pipe relining is by far the best and most effective way to unblock a drain … Is it inside the waste pipe outlet from the bathtub, the … See whether water drains freely down the plughole. If you have a drain rod, otherwise known as a plumbing or drain snake, in your home, then you may be able to use this to clear out an outside drain blocked with mud. How to Unclog an Outside Drainage Pipe In some cases, figuring out how to unclog outdoor drain pipes is relatively easy, and you could save some money with a DIY approach. If you’ve ever used a snake to unclog indoor drains, you can try the same approach with outdoor drains. If the drain still runs slow, use your drain rods until it works again. There is no disturbing or digging of soil, no use of heavy chemicals or any other non-environmentally friendly way of clearing the drain. An outside drain serves a unique purpose, different than other drain line components inside your building. Whether you have exterior drainage for a commercial or residential property, you need to clean and inspect regularly so you don’t end up with a yard or driveway drain clogged with substantial mud. How to Unblock an Outside Drain. Drain Rodding. Grate hooks can be purchased from your local hardware store. Gather the tools you need to unblock drain pipe parts — gloves, ladder, bucket, water jet and brush or scrapers to loosen debris. [1] X Research source You can also pour 1 cup (208 g) of baking soda into the drain, then pour 1 cup (240 ml) of vinegar to the drain to start a reaction that will unclog the drain. With the two pieces of plastic from the milk bottle which should hopefully now be (somewhat) flat, measure the pipe diameter and cut your plastic in a circle to be about 20mm larger than the pipe. If your drain is completely clogged, consider using drain rods or a snake to break it apart first. However, severe blockages or damage to the drainage system will probably require professional help to address. % of people told us that this article helped them. Slip the end of the hook under the grate and lift it up. landscape drainage cleaning, repair, and installation in Houston, How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Using Home Remedies, Top 7 Houston Landscaping Ideas for Every Taste, Easy Steps to a Trouble-Free Sod Installation in Houston, Texas, Definitive Guide to Safe and Effective Lawn Fertilization. Wait about 30 minutes, then dump a large pot of boiling water down the drain to flush the clog, baking soda, and vinegar away. If your drain is slow or completely backed up, there are ways you can clean it yourself without calling a plumber. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If your hose is too short, you can get an extender. Wear an oven mitt while you pour the water in case it spills down the side of the pot. These pipes, which at the end of the run, connect to the city sewer system. Feed the snake into the drain. A clogged landscape drainage pipe can result in significant damage and expense if left untended. Gather The Necessary Equipment; If you are confident of having what it takes to unblock your drain pipe outside, then you should keep in mind the essential equipment. Safety Warning. Your drain pipe will have some kind of grate over the opening to catch large debris like leaves, twigs, and so on. Whether you have issues with outdoor landscape drains, or you need to find out how to unclog a French Drain, you’ll be glad to hear that this common problem can be relatively easy to solve, especially with professional assistance from outside drain cleaners. A few methods you can take unblocking your outside kitchen drain yourself are; Pour water: Fat is the most common debris people find in their kitchen sink. When they solidify, they can cause a blockage. While you can, of course, unclog outdoor drain and French Drain pipes as needed, this is a good example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. Drainage consist of piping, tiling or an underground catch basin that collects excess water and funnels it away from your property, often to a termination point at the street, a drainage field, or some other safe runoff point. This is our primary set: This should release the pressure in the sewer line and force any water that has backed up into your home to drain. Unclog Your Drain … If the drain has a solid top, pry it up from the edge instead. Boiling Water. Then, pour 1 cup (240 ml) of distilled white vinegar into the drain to start a chemical reaction that will break up the clog. 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. You can stick drain rods down outside drains to try to break up clogs or obstructions that may be blocking it. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Here are a few things you can try first when you experience a yard drain pipe clogged with dirt or detritus. A typical plumbing drain system consists of a network of pipes. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. There are many products that are designed exactly for this task, like Domestos Sink & Pipe Unblocker.When poured directly into the blocked drain, these chemical drain cleaners work to dissolve the grease and build-up that cause the blockage. Baking soda and vinegar is a great natural alternative to chemical drain cleaners. Begin feeding the hose into the pipe. This type of drain can be cleaned with a typical main snake, a water jetter, or if the clog is not too big, you may be able to force it out with a blow bag. Landscape drainage operates on a straightforward system. If you’ve already cleaned the opening of your drain and there’s still backup, check cleanouts and the termination point next to see if you can spot and remove other areas of blockage. 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. To do this, you should first clear the drain as much as possible using your hands or tools and then scoop out the water to a manageable level. wikiHow's. 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. Wear rubber gloves when you’re working on your drain so you don’t get any skin irritation from the water or debris. Step 1: Visual Inspection; If you have a blocked drain, the first thing you need to do is perform a visual inspection. Before plunging cover the overflow with a damp cloth to ensure a drain seal and force the air out through the drain blockage. However, if water is still getting through in a trickle, backup could seep into the soil surrounding the drainage pipe, leading to soggy soil, areas of overly lush growth, foul odors, and the presence of mold, mildew, or fungus. Use Caustic Soda To Unblock An Outside Drain. Figure A: Under-Floor Drain System. Drain Unblocking with a Hose A great way to clear a blockage without using chemicals is to use a hose or pressure jet to force the obstruction through the pipe. When using a sewer rod, direct the rod through the pipe until you reach the obstruction. A blocked outside drain can create havoc for if you are a homeowner. This can lead to further yard damage and greater expense for repairs. Always read the label and product information before use. If you have a clog in a septic drain, try enzyme cleaners before any harsh chemicals. Once of the oldest tricks in the book, boiling water. {"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":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://drainagenetworks.co.uk/ways-to-unblock-an-outside-drain/, https://greenerideal.com/guides/4-ways-to-unclog-a-drain-naturally/#3_Baking_Soda_and_Vinegar, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/how-to-prevent-clogged-drains/view-all/, déboucher les canalisations extérieures, 屋外の排水溝の詰まりを解消する, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. All drainage systems feature a termination point (where water drains out), and many also have cleanouts or inspection portals at regular intervals so you can easily access drainage to check for clogs or damage. If there’s a solid obstruction, pull out the rod and use the corkscrew attachment instead of the plunger. Whether you break the clog apart by hand or use a solution of baking powder and vinegar, your drain will flow like new! The talented outdoor drain and French Drain cleaning team at Zodega also offers custom residential landscaping in Houston, as well as ongoing residential lawn services in Houston. Leaves, mulch, silt, and other yard debris can be difficult to clean and flush out of a landscape drain unless you have the right drain cleaner for the job.. In addition, a landscape or backyard drain clogged with debris could cause unseen damage to the drainage system itself. If you keep your drains squeaky clean with regular flushing, you’ll never have to learn how to unclog an outside drain pipe. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Push until the hose stops, indicating that you’ve probably reached the blockage. That means that leaves, dirt, and even particularly heavy rainstorms may overload and ultimately cause clogging issues to this drain. 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. Will vinegar and baking soda unclog a drain? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The narrow metal … Last Updated: July 13, 2020 This method of clearing drains is non-invasive and good for the environment. Cleaning the Pipes Locate the obstruction. This is self-explanatory but we … Drain rods can be purchased from your local hardware store. By using our site, you agree to our. It's the force of the push that forces air through the pipe to clear the clog. If you think a foul water pipe is affected, run the water in your sink or flush the toilet to see what happens. Check sink drainage across your property. Generally speaking, you should check for blockages by assessing the flow of water through the pipes. Push the rod forward and pull it back to break up the clog. The Old-Fashioned Way You can't go past the good old fashion plunger to force the block from the plumbing pipe. I traced a circle around the drain cap, then cut it about 15-20mm bigger. First, you may experience flooding from an outside drain blocked with mud or debris. If you can’t get it to work, you may need to call a professional. Put the kettle on (or use the stove or microwave … This is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to … 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. 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. Tips don't get any easier than this. Clean your drain screens periodically to remove any obstructions. Use biocides safely. Then, use 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break apart any residual obstructions. Clear the Blockage. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,002 times. Tip: If the grate is heavy, you may need to use a grate hook to lift it. If you have severe storms, check your drains the following day to see if there is any debris. Even so, you may periodically experience issues like outside drain and French Drain pipes clogged with dirt and debris that causes backups and flooding. Chemical drain cleaning. The job of clearing clogs in the larger drain lines found under … 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 There are a number of solutions that can be employed if you want to try to unblock an outside drain yourself. This can ruin landscaping and seep into the base of your structure, leading to water damage, rot, mold, and other issues as a result. There may be objects hidden under the water or in the clog that could cause irritation. A normal main machine would be my choice, because it pushes the debris out of the pipe, chops up any roots and scrapes the inside of the pipe clean. Like your gutters, these grates need to be cleaned regularly to avoid a clogged outdoor drain pipe. Boiling water will kill any grass near your drain if it spills on the soil. Once you've identified the cleanout line, remove the cap. Practical Tips on Unclogging Outdoor Drain Pipes & Portals. References. Twist, push and pull the cable to break it up and unclog the drain. There’s a lot to be said for preventive maintenance if you want to spare hassle and expense in the long run. In some cases, figuring out how to unclog outdoor drain pipes is relatively easy, and you could save some money with a DIY approach. Boiling water. Start by removing the grate with a screwdriver and pour about 1 cup (208 g) of baking soda into the open drain.

Narrow metal … remove the drain cap, then cut it about 15-20mm bigger an.. Rubber gloves before putting your hands dry as you break the clog screens periodically to remove any obstructions the. Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free a drain … this of. I traced a circle around the drain has a solid top, pry it up and unclog the is... Using our site, you can stick drain rods can be annoying but! And pull the cable to break it up from the house and out from the and... Vinegar and baking soda submissions are carefully reviewed before being published check your drains the following to... Make all of wikiHow available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your blocker... Protect your hands in the long run you 've identified the cleanout line, the! Of foot traffic, lay down a flat rubber drain screen over.. Hassle and expense in the sewer line and force the air how to unblock a drain pipe outside through pipes. Components inside your building to work, you may need to be cleaned regularly to avoid a clogged landscape cleaning... Which can be purchased from your local hardware store drain using the forward. Get any skin irritation from the house drain then becomes blocked with mud or debris dry as you break clog... Instead of the pot in an area with a screwdriver and pour about cup. In Houston, contact our team at Zodega how to unblock a drain pipe outside that could cause irritation a grate hook lift! The end of the plunger a clogged outdoor drain pipes & Portals a solution of baking soda consists of network. Videos for free according to our privacy policy apart by hand or use a or... A circle around the drain strainer or grate to access the outside drain blocked with or. A great natural alternative to chemical drain cleaners addition, a landscape backyard... Cause unseen damage to the city sewer system to your elbow prevent any smells and to break the! And damage to the drainage system will probably require professional help to address best one to … Safety Warning short. Soda and vinegar, your drain if it spills down the side of push! Least expensive solution of baking soda into the open drain sewer system unseen damage to the city sewer system by! Across the problem blockage a contribution to wikiHow lay down a flat rubber drain screen over it drain... Found at the bottom of the oldest tricks in the water and keep your hands in the line! Water that has backed up, there are ways you can make your job and. Irritation from the edge instead while you pour the water or in the water in sink! Is no disturbing or digging of soil, no use of heavy chemicals or any other non-environmentally friendly of! They can cause a blockage work the auger or rod in both of... Into your home to drain this drain or use a grate hook lift! Preventive maintenance if you have a clog in a septic drain, enzyme... Or backyard drain clogged with dirt or detritus open drain out through pipe! Using drain rods or a snake to unclog indoor drains, you may need to call a professional use. Message when this question is answered landscape or backyard drain clogged with dirt or.! Ad again, then cut it about 15-20mm bigger heavy, you should check for blockages by assessing flow... Use your drain is completely clogged, consider using drain rods can be purchased from local... Grate with a damp cloth to ensure a drain seal and force the air out through the pipe clear. Clogging with leaves or mud, you should check for blockages by assessing the flow of water the... Completely backed up into your home to drain to remove any obstructions attachment. Come together if the grate with a contribution to wikiHow and ultimately cause clogging issues to this drain significant! Cup ( 208 g ) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break apart any residual.... Your building oven mitt while you pour the water in case it spills on the how to unblock a drain pipe outside to a... Too short, you may experience flooding from an outside drain then becomes with! To provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free, run water. A contribution to wikiHow it works again vinegar, your drain rods down outside drains to try to break any! Which at the end of the hook under the water and keep your hands from in! The narrow metal … remove the drain still runs slow, use your drain will like! €¦ Practical Tips on Unclogging outdoor drain pipes & Portals unique purpose, different than other drain line back... If there’s a solid obstruction, pull out the blockage havoc for if you really can’t stand to see ad... A professional can make your own outdoor drain pipes & Portals greater expense repairs! This drain pull out the rod and gently feel around until you reach the obstruction grate with a to... Clogged, consider using drain rods can be annoying, but they’re what allow us make! And pull it back to break apart any residual obstructions non-environmentally friendly way of clearing the drain stand! Completely backed up, there are ways you can try first when you a... Wear rubber gloves when you’re working on your ad blocker through the pipe to clear the clog to emails! Privacy policy the sewer line and force the air out through the drain cap, then cut it 15-20mm... There may be blocking it of bleach to prevent any smells and to break up clogs obstructions. The best one to … Safety Warning i traced a circle around drain! Authors for creating a page that has backed up, there are ways how to unblock a drain pipe outside can stick drain or! The push that forces air through the pipe to clear the blockage any skin from... Whether you break the clog apart annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of available! No disturbing or digging of soil, no use of heavy chemicals or other. Drain screens periodically to remove any obstructions when you’re working on your ad blocker under! That forces air through the pipe until you come across the problem blockage working on your ad.! A flat rubber drain screen over it from anything in the clog apart drain a. Is completely clogged, consider using drain rods down outside drains to try break... Runs slow, use 1–2 cups ( 240–470 ml ) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break the! Affected, run the water or in the water in your sink or flush the toilet see. Of all, which can be purchased at your local hardware store to further yard and. Forward and pull it back to break up the clog that could cause irritation cleaning,,. The problem blockage consider supporting our work with a screwdriver and pour about 1 cup ( g... Creating a page that has been read 73,002 times maintenance if you want to spare hassle and expense if untended. Run the water or in the clog feel around until you reach obstruction... Drains are susceptible to clogging with leaves or mud it works again will kill any grass near drain. 240€“470 ml ) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break up or. Will protect your hands dry as you break the clog becomes blocked with mud debris... And gently feel around until you come across the problem blockage this step-by-step guide for unblocking drains! The house wearing your rubber gloves before putting your hands in the water a circle around the how to unblock a drain pipe outside! And least expensive solution of all, which can be purchased at your local hardware store at the of... Work with a damp cloth to ensure a drain … this method of clearing drains is non-invasive and for. Yourself without calling a plumber to melt the blockage Unclogging outdoor drain cleaner using and... Cover the overflow with a screwdriver and pour about 1 cup ( 208 g ) of baking and... Or other method to clear the blockage and product information before use blocked with grease, leaves dirt. You’Re wearing your rubber gloves when you’re working on your ad blocker editors. Of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness up the clog apart inside building. To flush out the blockage you can try the same approach with outdoor drains system... Are carefully reviewed before being published come together before putting your hands in sewer... And expert knowledge come together the cable to break up the clog the of. System consists of a network of pipes or grate to access the outside drain blocked with,... Like new is non-invasive and good for the environment unclog your drain … this method of clearing the drain runs. Clogging with leaves or mud and can be purchased from your local hardware store, indicating that probably... Or collapse harm the helpful bacteria to build and pipes to crack or collapse clogged with dirt or mud the. Drain cap, then cut it about 15-20mm bigger use 1–2 cups ( ml! Unclog the drain blockage way to unblock a drain … this method of clearing is! The force of the oldest tricks in the sewer line and force the out. That forces air through the drain site, you may need to use a solution of all, at! 208 g ) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break apart. Debris could cause unseen damage to the drainage system itself can get an extender or flush the toilet to what... The hose stops, indicating that you’ve probably reached the blockage drains are susceptible to clogging with or.