What should i do about a blocked drain outside my house coming from the toilet?
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Answers:
Go to the local hire shop and hire a set of drain rods open the cover and use the rods to clear the blockage.Wash rods and return to shop.
Get it unblocked.
Use drain rods or call someone out to do it for you.
start running - if the pressure builds it could be very very messy!
get it unblocked...
I would suggest calling Roto Rooter of some other company the deals with clogged drains.
If your drain is clogged outside of your home, you will have to get the drain cleaned with a serwer machine. Hopefully the line will not be collapsed IF this is the case it will need to be dug up and replaced. In most cases it can be cabled out to remove the obsruction to restore drainage.
It is cheaper if you have an outside cleanout vs pulling the stool or going through the vent stack to clean the drain.
Couple of things to check out first:
Do you know where the blockage is in relation to your house? If so, is it your responsibility, or the Water (Sewerage) Conpany, or the Local Council?
Are your underground drains plastic (modern) or clay pipes (old) - if the latter, could pipes by broken or collapsed? Latter will require a contractor.
Does your house insurance policy cover you for blocked drains? If it does, make a claim and let someone else have the hassle.
If no insurance, or you're an avid DIY enthusiast - try rodding the drain. If the nearest manhole to the house is chock-a-block (ie full), then rod down - away from the house. If the manhole is clear, then rod up, towards the house.
It can be a messy job, either hire the drain rods or buy your own (I bought mine, money well spent as have had to use then quite a few times). Wear HD rubber gloves and disinfect them, the rods and the manhole chamber afterwards (if you're fussy like me).
Another option is to engage the services of a Drain Cleaning firm - can cost from £60 to £150 on average. Most of them use jetting to clear blockages.
Another consideration is to assess the CAUSE of the problem. Could it be something flushed down the toilet from the house (such as san towels, nappies, etc)? Are you in a low-lying area where the MAIN drains are susceptible to flooding (the main drains must clear before your will drain away)? Do you use an automatic washing machine? - some soap and detergent powders do not fully dissolve and build up in the drainage pipes, reducing the 'bore' of the pipes (rodding should clear this). Do you share your drains with neighbours as happens on many housing estates? - check that nearest neighbours are not also having the same problem! Any signs of rats in the neighbourhood? - dead rodents can cause a blockage to start.
Don't try proprietary 'drain cleaning' chemicals - they do not work in the 4" underground pipes and also contaminate your effluent build-up in the manholes making rodding more hazardous. One type of product which sometimes works is the biological drain cleaner, though this does take quite some time to work (regular us of such will help to keep your drinas clear).
Just a few thoughts on the subject - always best to look at all the options first. Me? I have always dealt with all maintenance problems myself - gives you the most satisfaction.
Contact your local council. If it is from a toilet it is then going to a main sewerage drain. Things to look out for:
If You have a manhole cover in your garden/yard it could be that the blockage is either in your drain or a neighbours. If you are in a terrace of houses the drain may run into each other before reaching the main sewers. If this is the case if the local council come out they will locate where the blockage is. If they refuse it may have to be a company call dyno -rod, check the yellow pages or directory enquiries.. If this is the case check charges as it can be expensive. Also watch out in case they try to add on expense IE The drain may be broken down so we will have to use a camera this adds to the final bill. If you have a manhole lift it and check if it is full and this may give you an idea where the blockage is.
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