Re: Unclogging soil filled drains

[SpamTrapSeeSig]

In article [e-mail]>, NickW [e-mail] writes

I have a fairly beefy Kaarcher with the drain-jetting hose attachment. I'm very glad I got the 'long' version (around 75ft.), as I've need to use it's entire length on a couple of occasions. It's done a brilliant job on our salt-glazed (clay pipe) drains (slowly getting replaced with plastic).

I also had a cast-iron downpipe concreted into a gully trap. Both were solid with grit, moss and other crud off the roof, to a depth of 2' up the pipe (tried to rod it, which is why I know). The drain-jetting 'bullet' cleared this completely after about 20 mins of soggy poking about.

So I'd heartily recommend them from my own experience, BUT clay land drains are notorious for cracking and collapsing, and becoming conduits for tree roots (in search of the water). If the drain is intact, a pressure jetter might well clear it. but if it's collapsed, you'll have to dig it out and repair it. It's annoying that the hose can't be extended (it goes straight into the "gun" of the jetwash) - I have an extension pipe for the jetwash itself, but that's no use in this context. The 'pro' versions have much longer pipes, so hiring one might be a better option.

Regards,

Simonm.

[Simon Avery]

Hello NickW

That's about the best way I can think of, as long as you can get in from the bottom and let it wash the crud back down towards you.

Might be worth hiring a bigger pressure washer with a drain clearing attachment - these have not only a front jet, but circular jets to clean the sides and possibly even back-facing jets to help push it forwards.

[The Natural Philosopher]

The pressure washer sounds a very good idea. I'd go with that.

Chances are there are roots in it as well tho.

Mind you, water will still drain through a soil plug, albeit a tad more slowly...

[Andrew]

If you don't have a pressure washer, a bit of copper pipe held onto the hose with a jubilee clip and bent over at the end to form a jet works reasonable well. You can hack away at the blockage without fear of knackering anything expensive. Which is nice!

[NickW]

Ho ho, very good :)

I didn't know you could get drain clearing attatchments. That's good news, I'll give it a go.

Thanks

Nick