Before plunging cover the overflow with a damp cloth to ensure a drain seal and force the air out through the drain blockage. Twist, push and pull the cable to break it up and unclog the drain. 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. References. Boiling Water. By using our site, you agree to our. There are a number of solutions that can be employed if you want to try to unblock an outside drain yourself. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This is self-explanatory but we … Start by removing the grate with a screwdriver and pour about 1 cup (208 g) of baking soda into the open 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. The job of clearing clogs in the larger drain lines found under … See whether water drains freely down the plughole. 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. Pour a bucket of hot water into the sink to melt the blockage. 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. Whether you break the clog apart by hand or use a solution of baking powder and vinegar, your drain will flow like new! Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The qualified professionals at Zodega TIS can assess the cause of your clog, address damage, and get your system back in working order. Like your gutters, these grates need to be cleaned regularly to avoid a clogged outdoor drain pipe. Tip: Enzyme cleaners are safe to use with septic tank lines since they won't harm the helpful bacteria. 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. 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. 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. Tip: If the grate is heavy, you may need to use a grate hook to lift it. Here are a few things you can try first when you experience a yard drain pipe clogged with dirt or detritus. 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. This is usually a short, white pipe about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and sealed with a screw-on cap. How to Unclog a Drain with a Snake. Will vinegar and baking soda unclog a drain? 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. Remove the drain strainer or grate to access the outside drain clogged with dirt. Use Caustic Soda To Unblock An Outside Drain. Always read the label and product information before use. Outside Drain Unblocker: Tools and Chemicals. If you can’t get it to work, you may need to call a professional. 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. Slip the end of the hook under the grate and lift it up. Wear rubber gloves when you’re working on your drain so you don’t get any skin irritation from the water or debris. Clean your drain screens periodically to remove any obstructions. Make sure you’re wearing your rubber gloves before putting your hands in the water. How to Unblock an Outside Drain. Use biocides safely. Insert the hose into the underground pipe until it stops. Landscape drainage operates on a straightforward system. Put on protective gloves, and search for the outdoor drainage pipes that may have clogged due to some sort of outside … Put the kettle on (or use the stove or microwave … Step 1: Visual Inspection; If you have a blocked drain, the first thing you need to do is perform a visual inspection. Step by Step guide for unclogging drainage pipes that attach to downspouts. Unclog Your Drain … Last Updated: July 13, 2020 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. If there’s a solid obstruction, pull out the rod and use the corkscrew attachment instead of the plunger. This can ruin landscaping and seep into the base of your structure, leading to water damage, rot, mold, and other issues as a result. 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. For dirt or mud, you might need a professional to use a hydro-jet or other method to clear the blockage. Drain covers can be purchased at your local hardware store. 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. 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. Check sink drainage across your property. An outside drain serves a unique purpose, different than other drain line components inside your building. Feed the snake into the drain. If the drain still runs slow, use your drain rods until it works again. This article has been viewed 73,002 times. When they solidify, they can cause a blockage. Simply cleaning grates regularly could go a long way toward preventing flooding and damage to landscaping. The narrow metal … 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. Tips don't get any easier than this. There is no disturbing or digging of soil, no use of heavy chemicals or any other non-environmentally friendly way of clearing the drain. 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. 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. Work the auger or rod in both directions of the drain line — back towards the house and out from the house. If you’ve ever used a snake to unclog indoor drains, you can try the same approach with outdoor drains. Using your drainage rods, attempt to flush out the blockage. This can lead to further yard damage and greater expense for repairs. Clear the Blockage. When using a sewer rod, direct the rod through the pipe until you reach the obstruction. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,002 times. Significant blockages could cause pressure to build and pipes to crack or collapse. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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. {"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":"