Unblocking Outside Drain

[tandh]

any tips? the outside drain on my shared driveway has been blocked for ages with small bits of tarmac and gunk. will i have to call a company to come out or can i do it myself?

[ivor4781]

if its not deep and you can SEE the debris then have a go yourself cant see it being against any rules,but if its gone past were its visible you will have a job on

[brainiac]

Go to a builder's merchant and buy a set of drain rods - they're not expensive, and you could go halves with whoever you share the driveway with. They aren't difficult to use.

[Togo]

tandh. Before you rod or flush main drains make sure that 1 The drain has not fractured or dropped.2 That you do not damage it with a power rod or pressure hose.3 That you know exactly where the drain runs( that means a top and bottom manhole cover lifted)4 Do not underestimate the danger of gas and toxic fumes from the drain. If you are not at all capable of this work do not attempt it. I do hope that builder spots your post he is your man for the question. I know some things but would not presume to advise on what could be a serious or dangerous procedure.

[tandh]

arrr, maybe i should get someone in then, i did take some out by hand, but i couldn't reach it all. thank you all for your input, lol, i thought it might be as easy as unblocking a kitchen sink, i'm happy i checked now

[The Builder]

You don't say whether this is a rainwater drain or a foul drain. If it's a foul drain, then the shared portion has been adopted by your local Water & drainage supplier. It will be their responsibility.

If it's rainwater, then it's yours, so drain rods would do it.

Or ... is it just a blocked gulley?

[tandh]

arrrr, the builder, thank you so much, i didn't know what a gully was until ten mins ago lol! but i've just googled it and i think that's the problem. It looks quite easy to unblock, think i'll give it ago myself