All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Drain rods can be purchased from your local hardware store. Boiling Water. Outdoor drains are susceptible to clogging with leaves or mud. The Old-Fashioned Way You can't go past the good old fashion plunger to force the block from the plumbing pipe. 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. 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. Pour a bucket of hot water into the sink to melt the blockage. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Your outside drain then becomes blocked with grease, leaves, dirt and other debris. 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. Grate hooks can be purchased from your local hardware store. How to Unblock an Outside Drain. Use Caustic Soda To Unblock An Outside Drain. We know ads can be annoying, but theyâre what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If your hose is too short, you can get an extender. 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. Wear an oven mitt while you pour the water in case it spills down the side of the pot. 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. 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. Simply reach into the drain using the rod and gently feel around until you come across the problem blockage. [1] X Research source â A pressure hose that can clean the drain after youâre done unblocking it â A screwdriver that can fit in blocked areas â Eye goggles if thereâs a potential danger of a pipe burst or anything similar â A large version of the regular drain rod, or as some like to call it, a drain snake Check sink drainage across your property. These pipes, which at the end of the run, connect to the city sewer system. If you have a clog in a septic drain, try enzyme cleaners before any harsh chemicals. Generally speaking, you should check for blockages by assessing the flow of water through the pipes. Last Updated: July 13, 2020 Drain covers can be purchased at your local hardware store. Then, use 1â2 cups (240â470 ml) of bleach to prevent any smells and to break apart any residual obstructions. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If your drain is slow or completely backed up, there are ways you can clean it yourself without calling a plumber. Whether you break the clog apart by hand or use a solution of baking powder and vinegar, your drain will flow like new! 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. 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. Push until the hose stops, indicating that youâve probably reached the blockage. Once you've identified the cleanout line, remove the cap. By using our site, you agree to our. Clear the Blockage. Enzyme cleaners come in liquid or granular form and can be purchased online or from your local hardware store. This article has been viewed 73,002 times. See whether water drains freely down the plughole. For landscape drainage cleaning, repair, and installation in Houston, contact our team at Zodega TIS. 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. If the drain still runs slow, use your drain rods until it works again. If thereâs a solid obstruction, pull out the rod and use the corkscrew attachment instead of the plunger. 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. Insert the hose into the underground pipe until it stops. 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. If you’ve ever used a snake to unclog indoor drains, you can try the same approach with outdoor drains. Tips don't get any easier than this. Wear rubber gloves when youâre working on your drain so you donât get any skin irritation from the water or debris. 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. Gloves will protect your hands from anything in the water and keep your hands dry as you break the clog apart. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Clean your drain screens periodically to remove any obstructions. Even so, you may periodically experience issues like outside drain and French Drain pipes clogged with dirt and debris that causes backups and flooding. It is about time you got to work. Use thick waterproof gloves that come up to your elbow. 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I traced a circle around the drain cap, then cut it about 15-20mm bigger. Significant blockages could cause pressure to build and pipes to crack or collapse. How to Unclog a Drain with a Snake. Put on leather gloves for this task, as thin rubber gloves are dangerous as they can get caught in the coils and tighten around your hand. 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. Take a look at this step-by-step guide for unblocking your drains. If you really canât stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It's the force of the push that forces air through the pipe to clear the clog. 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. A typical plumbing drain system consists of a network of pipes. A clogged landscape drainage pipe can result in significant damage and expense if left untended. 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