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Clearing/unblocking drain

Featured Replies

I’m trying to unblock this drain. it’s a short section from the hopper to the manhole and the blockage is close to the hopper. Currently water is not going through it at all and is just seeping into the cracks around the grate. 
I have tried emptying what has been stuck under the grate and get to the bottom and can reach a bit into a u bend (I can only reach the bottom section of said bend and have cleared up to that).

from the other end I have tried rodding but doesn’t seem to have any result (nothing being broken up or coming out). 
the level of the the drain at the manhole is maybe 200mm lower than the bottom of the u bend under the grate. So I’m guessing there’s a whole section that is blocked that I just can’t reach. 
 

any ideas on how to proceed?

the rods I’m using are old style not very flexible - maybe there are more flexible ones.

 

any unblocker substances to throw down ? (I’m sceptical anything other than mechanical removal of the blockage will work)

 

Pressure washers?

IMG_4284.jpeg

Whoops!

Edited by Mr Punter
Did not read the OP fully and suggested what he has already done.

Jetting attachment for a pressure washer. Don't be surprised if the blockage is due to a broken pipe. Endoscope camera would be handy.

 

What are those other pipes discharging in? Anything from a kitchen sink or dishwasher? Could be fat build up in that case.

Edited by Conor

If you push the hose up from the chamber, how far does it go? Trying to identify if the blockage is in the pipe or the trap (u bend). My gut feeling this is a ball that gone down when the water was low and then pushed round as water flowed in … if it is a ball they can be a pig to get out.. jetting with a good hose or pressure washer back towards the house would be my preferred approach.

  • Author
9 minutes ago, Conor said:

Jetting attachment for a pressure washer. Don't be surprised if the blockage is due to a broken pipe. Endoscope camera would be handy.

 

What are those other pipes discharging in? Anything from a kitchen sink or dishwasher? Could be fat build up in that case.

Definitely fat buildup from kitchen waste. Also pipes from washing machine and upstairs bathroom.

 

was looking at this - think I have a karcher pressure washer that works if I hold it in a certain way!

https://www.screwfix.com/p/karcher-drain-gutter-cleaning-kit-4-pcs/91778
 

  • Author
6 minutes ago, markc said:

If you push the hose up from the chamber, how far does it go? Trying to identify if the blockage is in the pipe or the trap (u bend). My gut feeling this is a ball that gone down when the water was low and then pushed round as water flowed in … if it is a ball they can be a pig to get out.. jetting with a good hose or pressure washer back towards the house would be my preferred approach.

The rod got all the way to what I assume is the u bend. So not in the pipe itself.
not quite sure what you mean by a ball!
 

39 minutes ago, jfb said:

The rod got all the way to what I assume is the u bend. So not in the pipe itself.
not quite sure what you mean by a ball!
 

A small kids ball, tennis balls generally go around the bend but something a bit larger may get stuck. Buying a cheapie endoscope camera would be a good idea here, if not you are into jetting (proper jetting or pressure washer) or digging out

  • Author

Gotcha. No idea how a ball could get down there!

Looks a bit like the levelling compound now blocking my drain - see my topic also.

 

How do you drill out a u-bend ?

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