A functioning plumbing system keeps homes clean and hygienic since the waste is disposed of efficiently.
So, a drain block can create various problems and interfere with daily activities. These plumbing problems can result in backflow through the toilet and kitchen, leading to flooding, while accumulated wastewater will eventually emit a foul smell around the house.
If you don’t clean blocked drains, they can cause your pipes to develop a leak and affect the main plumbing system. Hence, it becomes crucial to unblock an outside drain whenever you notice a blockage. It is vital to fix a blocked drain whenever you notice one in your house, and today, we will discuss how to unblock a drain outside.
What Are The Main Causes Of Blocked Drains Outside?
Some of the most common reasons for clogged outside drains include soil, mud, leaves, branches, moss, litter, and other debris. Discarded wastes, such as big chunks of food scraps, can also get stuck in a drain opening, resulting in a blockage.
The toughest drain blockage occurs when people flush sanitary items and wet wipes down the toilet, causing the internal drains to clog. Similarly, it would be best not to flush hair or soap down drain openings, as they can cause severe damage to your property and plumbing system.
How To Spot Blockages In Outside Drains?
Blockages in outside drains are usually hard to spot, but here are a few key factors that can help you identify a blocked drain:
A. Blocked Kitchen Outside Drains
Kitchen drains usually get blocked when food scraps and other organic waste are stuck inside the pipe. Check the kitchen sink and look for debris or food waste whenever you notice an outside drain blockage.
B. Nasty Smelling Drains
When a drain gets blocked, all the waste is collected in one area. Since they remain stuck for a long time, they emit a rotten and foul smell, indicating a blocked pipe. If you notice your outside drains smell, it is high time to unblock and clean them.
C. Overflowing External Drains
When your external drain is overflowing, it is a clear sign that something is blocking the outdoor drainage system.
How To Unclog A Blocked Outside Drain?
It is essential to understand where the blockage lies and if it was caused due to external or internal factors. For instance, not all blocked drains are your responsibility; one example is when your neighbour accidentally dumped your drains with their garbage. In this situation, it is the neighbour’s responsibility to clean the drains.
But if you are responsible for the blockage, we have listed a few DIY fixes for your benefit.
Preparation And Equipment
For this DIY fix, you will require the following items and tools:
- Protective clothing and safety goggles
- Screwdrivers
- Pressure hose
- Buckets
- Drain rod
- Rope
- Rubber gloves
Steps To Unblock Outside Drains
Step 1. Remove The Outdoor Drain Cover
Before cleaning or unblocking any drain, we advise wearing protective clothing and goggles. Working with drains can be hazardous to your health. Wear high-quality rubber gloves to keep your hands clean while working.
From here on, you must use a flathead screwdriver to lift the drain cover. The screwdriver will act as a lever to lift the heavy drain cover. As soon as the cover is up slightly, tie a rope around it and use it as leverage to lift it entirely.
While following this step, we recommend you be careful. The cover can fall on the ground and break, resulting in additional costs. Also, ensure that the cover doesn’t fall on your feet, which can cause severe injuries.
Step 2. Look For The Blockage
After removing the cover, the next step would be identifying the severely blocked areas. Use a flashlight to scan the inside of the drain and see which part of the drain is blocked.
Wear rubber gloves and remove as much debris as possible. You can also collect the waste in a rubbish bin to search for additional factors blocking the drain from within.
You can even blend baking soda and vinegar into a cleaning solution and pour it into drains to remove clogs and unblock them. But remember to take breaks, as working long hours near the drain can cause severe nausea and headaches.
You should immediately contact a doctor if you notice any discomfort while breathing.
Step 3. Use Drain Rods To Remove The Remaining Debris
Once you have completed these steps, your final task is to use a drain snake or rod to remove any remaining residue or debris inside the drain. Take a garden hose or drain rod and insert it into the drain while twisting the rod clockwise to apply pressure to the blocked area.
If stubborn blockages are causing you trouble, you might have to plunge and twist the drain rod deeper. This allows the drain rod to free the outside drain before you can use high-pressure water jets to remove stubborn wastes.
How To Clean A Kitchen Drain Pipe?
Kitchen drain pipes are usually smaller; hence, you can’t use your hands to clean them. However, there is a simple way to clean kitchen drain pipes, and you will require two common ingredients - baking soda and vinegar.
Begin by pouring hot water down the drain before taking a cup of baking soda and mixing it with a cup of vinegar. As soon as you mix the two ingredients, the mixture will begin to foam and fizzle.
Pour the mixture down the drain and give it time to react with the debris stuck in the pipes. In addition, cover the drain slightly while you constantly monitor the opening and repeat the process until the drain pipes clear up.
You can also use this method for bigger drains, but to get the best results, you will require a larger quantity of baking soda and vinegar.
FAQs On Blocked Drains
1. How to deal with standing water?
Standing water usually occurs when your drains are severely blocked by large debris that prevents water from passing through.
First, remove all the standing water from the area and then unclog the drain using the above-mentioned methods, including boiling water, if needed. Even in this situation, baking soda and vinegar are among the best solutions for clearing a clogged drain.
2. Why are the gurgling sounds coming from your drain?
Whenever drains are partially blocked, they give out a gurgling sound. The partial blockage forms air bubbles in the water when it tries to escape from a tiny gap, producing a gurgling sound.
Kitchen drains are usually prone to clogging from oil and leftover food waste, while bathrooms can easily become blocked by fallen hair and soap.
3. Is it possible for tree roots to block your pipes?
Even after regular maintenance, there is a high chance that your outdoor drains can get blocked by external elements. Outdoor drains are usually susceptible to tree roots in your garden or yard.
Older pipes are vulnerable because roots only need the smallest gaps to penetrate and grow. When you notice roots growing in the drain, immediately call professional plumbing services, as dealing with this situation yourself is tricky.
4. What is a CCTV drain survey method?
Nowadays, plumbers use a more modern approach to unblocking drains, one of which is a CCTV drain survey method. Plumbers use drain survey equipment with a CCTV camera and push this device down the opening. This gives them a clear view of the drain from the inside, and some CCTV drain survey devices even come equipped with powerful LED lights for better vision.
5. What do you do if you notice an animal stuck in the drain?
It is common for animals to get stuck inside a drain, especially if it is kept open or doesn’t have a cover. Contact a professional plumber and an animal rescue to work together to save the animal. Remember that you should not try not to save it yourself since it might feel threatened and attack you instead.
Get Your Outside Drain Blockage-Free!
Before signing off, we list a few tips to help keep your drains clean.
Try not to dump huge chunks of food waste down the pipes as a preventive measure to avoid future blockages. Instead, you can throw the food waste in a bin and clean your plates in the kitchen sink. Also, if you notice any blockage in your drainage pipe, you should immediately get it cleaned to prevent future blockages and the development of leaks. The team at Big Blue Plumbing, experts in managing your plumbing fixtures, are always here to help, so don’t hesitate to call us if you have a blocked outdoor drain!
We will see you next time with another engaging guide. Bye!
