Browse Forums DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair 1 May 23, 2009 5:21 pm Mods, not sure where this should go, please feel free to move it. Besides getting a plumber out. What is the best way of trying to unblock a stormwater drain? During the rain we had a lot of mud go down and while it is better, it is still definitely blocked, as we can't get a hose pipe down it. The water does go down slowly, but when there is a storm, it doesn't cope, as it drains away too slowly due to the blockage. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Re: Blocked storm water pipes 2May 24, 2009 10:51 pm I guess any chance of you unblocking it would have to happen when there is loads of water above it. If you can get just a small break in the blockage, you can only hope the rest gives and the backed up water flushes the blockage out. I hope it works out OK Re: Blocked storm water pipes 3May 25, 2009 4:12 pm I had the same problem....slowly draining outlet in my patio. I took off the outlet cap, and shoved a hose (with the water turned on full) down it. It agitated all the sand and crap down there...and the blockage never appeared again. Pat. Re: Blocked storm water pipes 4May 25, 2009 5:44 pm Depends on the type of pipe and whats blocking it. Stormwater lines are far more difficult to unblock than sewer lines. Most blockages are caused by tree roots. If the roots have penetrated an earthenware line, for example, they grow and grow looking for water, fed by light rain. It might take months in Australia before heavy rain comes and the blockage is first noticed and the tree roots become really thick and entenched. whereas, if it was a sewer blockage, it would be noticed quite quickly. If its earhenware pipe and its tree roots, then you have three choices. One. you rod the line with an electric eel. To access the pipe you need either to remove the downpipe or to cut an opening in the pipe with an angle grinder. Or depending on the situation, you sometimes can rod from the street back (if it goes to the street) Two, is you use a water jet. these are best for PVC lines as eels can break plastic pipes. but they tend not to be so good with tree roots. Good for silt build up. Three is, you dig the line up and replace it wth plastic pipe. You should also determine where the S/water goes. If it runs to street or easement, fine, but in some areas of sydney, the S/water runs to an absorbtion pit in the backyard and over the years they become infested with roots or become silted up. In which case you have to decide if you want to rebuild it. If your council allows it, you can collect all your stormwater in a pit and pump it out to the street with a submersible pump. Thats what I did at my place. If the line is PVC, its best to water jet it. You can hire eels, from Kenards etc, but youll need a plumber to jet it. Sometimes, PVC pipe gets squashed during building and only blocks years later, or they get roots in them from poorly made joints. Sometimes they silt up. Hope this has been some help. If you give me some more info I might be able to advise you better. Agreed. I just found out today the certifier has not given the final sign off. 2 4088 Hello I am developing 2 side by side units. Wish someone can help me on the following questions 1) Which stage should be the storm water pipe installed during the new… 0 7803 If you need to be able to access these then you may need to dig them out and cut them so you can add a socket and a riser to the required height. We normally add a… 1 6841 |