Cleaning ground water runoff drains ?
#1
05-10-17, 03:53 PM
Cleaning ground water runoff drains ?
Those outside drains that are at low points of the property and I assume allow water to drain into the ground (or are they connected to the main sewage line?) are now draining a bit slow.
I'm wondering how do I clean them out, drano?, beyond scraping off the debris that accumulates on the surface
I'm wondering how do I clean them out, drano?, beyond scraping off the debris that accumulates on the surface
#2
05-10-17, 04:35 PM
Group Moderator
How large (diameter) are your drain pipes?
Unless your home is very old the drains should not lead to the sewer. They either drain to a storm sewer, to daylight to pour out on the ground somewhere else or they lead into a French drain.
Unless your home is very old the drains should not lead to the sewer. They either drain to a storm sewer, to daylight to pour out on the ground somewhere else or they lead into a French drain.
#3
05-10-17, 06:16 PM
Member
Yard drains may (should) have a catch basin underneath the grate. It's just a small chamber below the level of the pipe that allows dirt and leaves and trash to be "caught" before they wash down the drain pipe, possibly clogging it.
If you have catch basins, they should be cleaned out periodically by lifting off the grate and cleaning out the chamber below.
Drano is never a good idea, if you have a drain pipe that is partially clogged, a snake is the tool of choice.
If you have catch basins, they should be cleaned out periodically by lifting off the grate and cleaning out the chamber below.
Drano is never a good idea, if you have a drain pipe that is partially clogged, a snake is the tool of choice.
#4
05-14-17, 08:01 PM
The one (circular) drain, I tried to show it in the picture but it isn't clear, has water about 6" down in the drain. I can try and snake that.
The other (rectangular) drain seems to be ok I'll just keep an eye on it.
The other (rectangular) drain seems to be ok I'll just keep an eye on it.
#5
05-17-17, 01:30 PM
The circular drain in some places is connected to your main sewer drain and a street trap. We have those in Philly, and I know Pittsburgh uses the same setup. I don't know about VA, but it's possible.
Since there's water at the bottom, it certainly could be a vent for a trap.
Since there's water at the bottom, it certainly could be a vent for a trap.
#6
05-22-17, 10:14 AM
I worked my 20' snake all the way down, spinning it with the wheel on the handle and pulling and shoving it up and down. At the end of it all the water level was the same. I'll just keep an eye on it
