Having clogged underground drainage pipes outside your home can be a nuisance. Standing water, flooding issues, and soggy areas in your yard are not only eyesores, but can also cause foundation damage over time. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to unclog those underground pipes and get your outdoor drainage system working properly again.
Methods for Unclogging Underground Drainage Pipes
Here are some of the most common and effective methods for clearing out clogged underground drainage pipes:
Use a Drain Snake/Auger
One of the quickest and simplest ways to unclog underground drainage pipes is by using a drain snake, also known as an auger. This tool has a long, flexible metal cable that you feed down the pipe. At the end is a spiral-shaped auger bit that bores through the built-up gunk, hair, and debris that is clogging the pipe.
The steps for using a drain snake to unclog underground drainage pipes are:
- Locate the drain opening that connects to the clogged underground pipe. This may be under a downspout, near a foundation wall, or at a catch basin.
- Insert the drain snake into the opening and feed the cable down the pipe. You may need to work it back and forth to get around bends.
- Crank the handle of the drain snake to spin the auger bit at the end, boring through the clog. Advance the cable farther down the pipe as needed.
- When you feel the cable break free and can feed it smoothly, the clog should be cleared. Retract the drain snake and run water down the pipe to confirm normal drainage flow has been restored.
Using a drain snake is an effective DIY method for cleaning out underground drainage pipes up to around 50 feet long. For longer pipes or very stubborn clogs, you may need a powered auger or assistance from a professional plumber.
Use a Plumber’s Rod/Closet Auger
A plumber’s rod, also called a closet auger, is designed to clear clogs in indoor plumbing pipes. But you can also use this tool to unclog underground drainage pipes through an accessible cleanout.
A closet auger has a flexible coil of spring steel wound tightly into a rod. At the end is a curved auger bit. Crank handles allow you to spin the auger and drive it through the packed debris.
To use a plumber’s rod:
- Locate the outdoor cleanout access point and remove the cover.
- Feed the rod down the pipe, cranking the auger bit through the debris clogging the line.
- Once you feel the auger break past the clog, retract it and flush the pipe with a garden hose to check for clear drainage.
- A closet auger can clear clogs up to around 25-30 feet down an outdoor drainage line. For longer pipes, sections of rod can sometimes be added.
This is an easy tool for DIY outdoor drain cleaning. The rod maintains its stiffness so it can be pushed farther than a flexible drain snake.
Use a High Pressure Jet/Power Washer
If you have access to a high pressure power washer, you can use its concentrated jet spray to blast away at a clog in underground drainage pipes. Aim the nozzle down the cleanout or pipe opening and let the powerful water jet scour the inside of the pipe.
This can break up grease, debris, and even tree roots that are blocking the line. Keep the nozzle moving and rotate it to hit the clog from all angles. Insert a garden hose periodically to flush away the debris dislodged by the pressure washer.
Using high pressure water is a DIY method that may clear difficult clogs beyond the reach or ability of hand augers. Be cautious not to damage the drainage pipe with too much pressure.
Use Caustic Chemical Drain Cleaners
For the most stubborn drainage pipe clogs, chemical drain cleaners provide an aggressive option to break down and dissolve the blockage. Products like sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide are poured down the cleanout to permeate the clogged area.
Follow all safety precautions when using caustic chemical cleaners. Only apply them through proper outdoor cleanouts, never indoors. The chemicals can dissolve organic material, grease, and even tree roots to restore flow. Flush the pipes thoroughly with water after use.
While very effective, the dangers of these chemicals mean this method should only be attempted by those experienced working with them. Never mix different drain cleaning chemicals.
Snaking from the Downstream Outlet
If you can access the outlet or exit point of the clogged underground drainage line, you may be able to clear the blockage by snaking from downstream back up towards the source.
Use a sufficiently long drain snake or auger and feed the cable into the downstream pipe opening. Work the cable through the pipe against the flow direction back towards the clog.Sometimes this lets you approach and break up the blockage from the downstream side when you can’t clear it from the upstream starting point.
Hydro Jetting Service
One of the most powerful methods for cleaning out severely clogged underground drainage pipes is hydro jetting. This is a service provided by professional drain cleaning companies. It involves using an industrial-grade jetting machine to blast high-powered streams of water through the line.
The hydro jetting machine forces water through the pipes at up to 5000 PSI. This scrubs away even the most stubborn or hardened clogs from grease, scale, roots, and debris. The service also includes camera pipe inspection to analyze the problem before and after jetting.
Hydro jetting can clear buried pipes up to 300 feet long. While one of the more expensive services, it is also the most effective for severe clog cases. The powerful jets reach blockages other methods can’t.
Root Cutting Tools
Tree roots can infiltrate underground drainage pipes through tiny cracks and joints. The roots take hold and grow, causing displaced or broken pipe sections. Specialized mechanical cutters can clear out these roots.
Rotating root cutting blades with carbide or diamond edges slice through the invading roots when pulled or spun through the line. This root cutting action severs the roots so they can be rinsed away. Zinc particles are sometimes added to retard future regrowth.
Professionals have root cutting auger heads for drain machines. DIY options include hand root augers or hook knives that pull roots out. Preventative chemical root treatments can also be applied to inhibit regrowth after cutting.
Cleaning or Replacing Pipe Section
For drainage lines that have collapsed sections or intrusive root invasion, one option is to dig down and expose the damaged section of pipe to clean or replace it. Professionals have equipment to replace pipe without full excavation.
Cleaning the pipe after exposure may involve using hydro jetting, snaking, root cutting, or scraping out debris manually. Once cleaned, the repaired pipe section is sealed back up. Complete replacement is needed if the pipe is too deteriorated. Proper bedding and backfill are critical.
Excavating underground pipes is labor intensive and requires safety precautions. But it provides full access to clear blockages or conduct repairs in pipes that other methods can’t address.
Tips for Preventing Clogged Underground Drainage Pipes
To avoid having to unclog those underground drainage pipes repeatedly, here are some tips for prevention:
- Install screens or grates over pipe openings to keep out large debris, plants, and animal nests. Check them periodically and clean when needed.
- Flush cleanouts periodically by pouring a bucket of water down them, even if drainage seems fine. This maintains flow.
- Keep landscaping plants, brush, and tree branches well away from drainage pipe openings to avoid root invasions. Avoid planting trees near underground drainage pipes.
- Have older drainage pipes professionally inspected by camera to check condition. Repair or replace deteriorated sections that could clog and collapse.
- Apply preventative root inhibitor chemicals. These can be flushed down outdoor drain lines periodically to retard root regrowth after cutting.
- Ensure proper slope and bedding under pipes to prevent low spots where debris collects. Inspect and listen for trickling water indicating blockage.
- Keep heavy objects and vehicles away from underground drainage lines to avoid crushing pipes. Signs of damage include soggy soil or pooling water.
- When doing any outdoor construction, take care not to disrupt, block, crush, or fill in existing drainage pipes.
With attentive preventative maintenance, you can help avoid clogs and keep underground drainage pipes clear. But knowing the fastest methods for clearing them when they do clog is also important. With the right approach and tools, clogged outdoor drainage pipes can be unclogged fairly effectively as a DIY project.
Unclogging Underground Drainage Pipes Outside Your Home
Outdoor underground drainage pipes channel rainwater and runoff away from your home’s foundation. Over time, debris, roots, soil, and other material can build up and clog these pipes. Left unaddressed, clogged outdoor drainage pipes can lead to flooded yards, erosion, soggy basements, and damage.
Unclogging those buried outdoor drains is an important maintenance task. Here are some key steps to clear those underground pipes and direct surface runoff away from your home again:
Inspect and Locate
- Walk around your home and check for areas of pooling water or soggy ground after rains as signs of a clogged drainage system.
- Also inspect the drainage outlets around the perimeter of your home where underground pipes emerge. Look for debris accumulation or lack of flow.
- Locate the main drainage line cleanouts around the home. Also check where downspouts tie into buried drainage pipes. These access points are needed to clear clogs.
Choose Unclogging Method
- Start by using a hand auger snake or plumber’s rod pushed through the cleanout to clear nearby clogs in the main buried drain line.
- For downspout tie-ins clogged with debris, a hose flush or pressure washing may be sufficient.
- Use caution with caustic chemical drain cleaners to avoid landscape damage. Limit outdoor use to experienced professionals.
- Excavation may be required if the pipe has collapsed or roots have invaded underground lines that a snake cannot clear.
Clear the Clog
- Work the drain snake back and forth at the cleanout to corkscrew through the clog. Flush debris away with a hose.
- A pressure washer nozzle inserted in the cleanout can blast away debris. Aim the hose downspout tie-ins.
- If excavating, have utilities marked first. Carefully expose the pipe and clean or replace the problem section.
Check Results
- After clearing the clog, run water into the drainage system and inspect the outlets. The water should flow out freely without backing up.
- Check the ground above the drainage pipes. It should no longer be soggy if flow was restored.
- If water still pools above the pipe, there may be additional clogs requiring more extensive cleaning.
With regular inspections and maintenance to keep debris out of underground drainage pipes, costly clogs can be avoided. But if they do occur, using the right methods to clear out those buried outdoor pipes will get rid of excess surface water.
What Causes Outdoor Drainage Pipes to Clog?
Outdoor drainage systems rely on proper water flow through buried pipes and landscaping features to divert rainwater and surface runoff away from your home. When these systems get clogged, it leads to soggy ground, flooded yards, basement seepage, and potential drainage backups into the home.
But what actually causes underground drainage pipes outside your home to clog up and stop working properly? Here are some of the most common culprits:
Accumulated Debris
Like any pipes, outdoor drainage lines can accumulate debris over time. Leaves, trash, gravel, sand, and sediment wash into the drains through downspout connections or ground-level drainage grates. These materials collect in the pipe bottoms, eventually clogging them.
Regular maintenance to clear debris from outdoor drainage grates, traps, and cleanouts can help. But some debris still inevitably makes its way into underground pipes between cleanings.
Intrusive Tree Roots
Invasive tree roots are likely the most common cause of serious outdoor drainage pipe clogs. Roots extend long distances seeking moisture. They eventually find their way into buried drainage pipes through small cracks or loose joints.
Once inside, the roots swell and grow, hogging all the space inside the pipe. Severe root intrusions can even crush drainage pipes. The roots trap debris and grease to totally block drainage flow.
Tree roots are difficult to prevent since they can enter pipes well away from the base of the tree. Regular root cutting maintenance helps reduce regrowth after cutting out invading roots.
Soil and Mud
Erosion of surrounding soil can lead to mud and sediment washing into outdoor drainage pipes and ditches. Over time, the accumulation of silt and mud builds up. Drainage trench walls can also collapse inward, sending soil into the pipe.
Ensure drainage pipes are properly bedded under a slope when installed. Maintain erosion control features to reduce soil and mud buildup in drains.
Grease and Oil
Grease and oils from automobiles on driveways and streets can wash into drainage pipes and coat the walls. Dirt and debris then stick to this greasy film, adding to the clog. The thicker the greasy layer grows, the more narrowed the pipe’s opening becomes.
Avoid excess use of oils and lubricants on driveways. Degreasing agents can help dissolve and flush away grease films before they accumulate.
Damaged or Misaligned Pipes
Sections of crushed, misaligned, or settled drainage pipes create perfect spots for debris and roots to snag, creating clogs. Damaged pipes also allow more dirt and roots to infiltrate. The improper drainage slope when pipes settle further worsens debris buildup in low spots.
Inspect drainage pipes during cleanouts and repairs. Install proper bedding and qualified backfill around repaired or replaced pipe sections.
By understanding the causes of clogged outdoor drainage pipes, steps can be taken through proper installation and ongoing maintenance to avoid these headaches. But if clogs do occur, using the right unclogging method for the situation will help bust through the blockage.
FAQs About Unclogging Outdoor Drainage Pipes
Unclogging blocked underground drainage pipes around your home is an important maintenance task to prevent water damage and foundation problems. Here are some common questions about dealing with clogged exterior drainage lines:
How can I tell if my outdoor drainage pipes are clogged?
Signs of a clogged drainage system include standing water or perpetually soggy ground above the pipes, gurgling drain noises, foul odors, and sometimes even sewage backups if connected to sewer lines. Confirm clogs by flushing water down cleanouts to check for slow flow.
What are some DIY methods to unclog outdoor drainage pipes?
DIY methods include using hand drain augers, plumber’s rods, and high pressure jet spray. Caustic chemical cleaners can also be used with caution by experienced homeowners. Snaking the pipes through an outdoor cleanout is the most accessible option.
When should a professional be called to clear clogged outdoor drains?
If DIY attempts don’t work and you suspect a collapsed or damaged drainage pipe, roots invading the line, or pipes too long to clear manually, call a professional plumber or drain cleaning service. Professionals have high-powered water jet or vacuum equipment to clear buried pipes.
What is hydro jetting?
This is a professional drain cleaning method using highly pressurized water propelled through pipes by powerful jetting machines. The jets can clear even severe clogs in long runs of piping that other methods can’t access. It is more expensive but the most effective option for stubborn clogs.
How can I help prevent outdoor drainage pipes from clogging again after clearing them?
Regular maintenance like flushing debris from drain grates, using root inhibitor chemicals, repairing damaged pipe sections proactively, and keeping heavy objects away from pipes helps. Avoid planting trees near underground drainage pipes to limit root invasion through cracks.
Are chemical drain cleaners a good option for outdoor pipes?
Caustic chemical cleaners present risks if used improperly, so are best left to drain cleaning professionals. Only use cleaners formulated for exterior drainage, never indoor products. Take care to avoid landscape damage. Safer enzyme or biological drain cleaners are better DIY options.
What if snaking the pipe doesn’t clear the clog?
If you can’t clear the clog from a ground-level cleanout, try snaking from the downstream exit point if possible. Seek other access points closer to the clog. Scope the pipes. Excavating and cutting out the blocked section may be needed for pipes with collapsed or root-invaded sections.
How can I prevent soil and mud from clogging exterior drainage pipes?
Install proper slope and drainage gravel under pipes. Maintain drainage ditches and trenches to limit erosion. Use landscaping techniques to control water flow away from the home’s foundation and over any buried drainage pipes.
Are chemicals available to dissolve roots in drainage pipes?
Yes, foaming chemical root killers can be used to dissolve roots after mechanically clearing them with augers or cutters. These retard regrowth. But they may damage surrounding plants so isolate treatment only to the problem drainage pipe. Always follow product directions carefully.
Unclogging buried outdoor drainage pipes can seem daunting. But armed with the right information, you can assess the problem, choose the most appropriate fixing method, and get your home’s water properly draining away from the structure again.
Unclogging French Drains and Perimeter Drainage Systems
French drains and perimeter drainage systems help divert water away from your home’s foundation using gravel-filled trenches linked to buried perforated pipes. Like all exterior drainage pipes, they can become clogged over time with soil, roots, and debris. Signs of a blocked French drain or perimeter drain include soggy ground, flooded yards, and seepage in basements or crawlspaces.
Unclogging these systems presents some unique challenges given their perforated design and layout around foundations. Here are some tips for clearing blockages:
Inspect the Drainage Trench
- Check where the perforated pipe outlet emerges downstream of the trench, looking for reduced flow and debris buildup.
- Are there downspouts that feed