I have a number of downspouts that empty into plastic pipe that runs underground to who knows where. A couple of them are nowhere near street, other drainage etc. I am pretty sure a couple of them are clogged due to general neglect of gutter cleaning by prior owner.
How best to clean these out? I'm assuming any sort of mechanical auger device risks damaging the plastic drain pipe. Do the water jet type cleaners work? If so, any recommendations for one?
I have decent but not extreme water pressure at bibs. Do have an Sun Joe 2030psi pressure washer I could incorporate into this if helpful.
I have a similar issue, but I know where mine exit. I clean them out every few years using Nelson twist nozzle and going in from each end. Can you figure out where they exit? Leave a garden hose in it and see where the water exits?
Following. I have a rain gutter under my deck that's also covered by a roof underneath it. Stupid thing is also built into the framing of the deck, been scratching my head as to how I'm gonna clean it.
That drain hose looks promising if it will snake up about 8' and do a 90 degree turn
Posts: 6022 | Location: GA | Registered: September 23, 2009
I have the same problem. Doing some research. This link has a chart listing the nozzle size needed based on the pressure and gallons per min of the pressure washer
Originally posted by h2oys: I know where mine end, so what I do is unhook the black drainage pipe from the downspout, and then use my leaf blower to blow it out.
Did this exact same thing but during a storm. The water served as a seal, The amount of crud that came out the top was substantial.
Is the pipe corrugated(black plastic with ripples)
It's this.
As to figuring out where they end, there are no drain outlets or other visible exits for the ones on front of house and I suspect they are way, way too far away from storm drains to exit there. I guess that's possible, but wherever it is I can't work from exit backwards.
Distance from house to drain is probably 60-80', so doubt the clog is over the duration if that's the point of exit.
Of course if I had a way to clear them out I'd know when successful once water flowed freely from the spout connection end.
You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02
Posts: 13005 | Location: Madison, MS | Registered: December 10, 2007
The city has stuff like this to clean sewers. A commercial plumbing company has similar equipment that would work and not damage the line. Make some calls unless you like doing this stuff yourself.
Posts: 18009 | Location: Stuck at home | Registered: January 02, 2015
Originally posted by Georgeair: I have a number of downspouts that empty into plastic pipe that runs underground to who knows where.
I think the first order of business is to find out where they end. Chances are a bunch of crud had hidden the ends and is causing at least part of your problem. Clearing the ends will probably go a long way to solving your problem.
If they were done correctly, they have a slope. So start walking down hill. The ends have probably been covered up with grass and dirt over time.
Posts: 6776 | Location: Virginia | Registered: January 22, 2001