Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Clean the drain pipe
• Part 2 of 2: Keep an eye on the drain pipe
• Tips

Drainage pipes generally require little maintenance, but sometimes they can become clogged or become unusable. Rent an electric sewer cable, insert it into the pipe and clean it. Perform annual checks to keep drainage in good condition and to prevent flooding or damage caused by unnoticed blockages. If you don't want to do the maintenance and clean up of the blockage yourself, hire a specialist to take care of everything yourself.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Clean the drain pipe

1. 1 Rent an electric sewer cable. Rent an electric sewer cable (or drill) to clean the drain pipe. It is a coil of cables with a bifurcated drill at the end, powered by a motor. Call 2-3 rental locations (such as a hardware store or tool rental) to compare prices. For half a day of renting an electric sewer cable, you will have to pay about 5,000 rubles (the cost depends on the region of residence). Choose a model with a drum capacity of 15 to 30 meters of cable (depending on pipe length) and give preference to a device with a cable diameter of 1.9 cm.
   • Browse your local hardware stores to find where you can rent a sewer cable.
2. 2 Get ready for the fact that you have to transport heavy cargo. If you don't have a truck, van, or SUV, borrow one or ask a friend to move a cable - it's too heavy to carry in the trunk. Ask a rental agent to help you put the device in the car, and get the help of a family member, friend, or neighbor to get it out of the car when you get home. If you have to do everything yourself, use the ladder to get the device out of the car.
   • Most sewer cables have two wheels on the side, with which the device can be moved along the ground.
3. 3 Insert the cable into the pipe. Get to the drainage pipe. If a drain pipe is connected to a drain pipe, disconnect them first. Turn on the cable and slowly insert the drill into the pipe.
   • To protect your hands when handling the cable, wear heavy gloves.
4. 4 Stop when you feel resistance. When the cable encounters resistance (indicating that it has reached a blockage or twist in the pipe), stop inserting it into the pipe and push it back just a little to free the drill. Start slowly pushing the cable back into the pipe again. The cable will either go through the bend or rotate due to the blockage, allowing the drill to break through.
   • You may need to twist the cable a little and move it back and forth slightly to make it through the turn.
5. 5 Pull the cable out completely if the blockage is too large. If you come across a blockage that is too large to break through with a cable, remove it all from the pipe. To do this, carefully pull it towards you and turn on the reverse motion on the drum (if necessary). Wipe the cable with a wet rag when removing it from the pipe to remove dirt from it. Turn off the device and remove debris (such as parts of roots, leaves, etc.) from the drill.
6. 6 Repeat the process until you have cleaned the pipe. Reinsert the cable into the pipe and continue until the blockage is cleared. When the blockage is done, water and other debris will start flowing through the pipe again.Usually, the whole process has to be repeated 2-3 times to pierce the blockage and unclog the drainage pipe.
7. 7 Flush the pipe with a hose. Insert a garden hose into the pipe and turn on the water supply to flush out any remaining debris. Just in case, insert the hose while the cable is still in the pipe to flush it before the last pipe cleaning. Do not turn off the water for 5 minutes or until you have cleaned the pipe.
   • If you have a pressure washer, use it to flush the pipe.
8. 8 Call a specialist. If you still fail to break through the blockage, call the sewer cleaning service so as not to damage the pipes with the cable. Find several companies (on the Internet or in the newspaper) to compare prices and availability. Please note that prices may vary, but normal drainage cleaning costs about RUB 100 per linear meter.

Part 2 of 2: Keep an eye on the drain pipe

1. 1 Clean the drain pipe regularly. Regular cleaning of the drain pipe is essential to prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris that can clog the drain. Use a garden rake to remove debris from the drainage surface about once a week that could obstruct the flow of water. In the event of nearby structures, storms or other incidents that could lead to the formation of unnecessary debris, clean up the area as soon as possible to prevent blockages.
   • If the drain has a grate, be sure to remove it, clean the inside of the drain and every slot in the grate.
2. 2 Inspect drainage once a year. Although drain pipes can stand for many years without any problems, they should be checked once a year to ensure they are free of blockages. Plan to do this regularly, and better during warmer months (for example, in the summer when you are on vacation and there is no snow or heavy rain). Do an inspection before doing other projects on site (such as planting a garden or building a terrace) in case you need to repair a pipe.
   • If it is raining heavily outside, inspect the drainage system to see if the water is draining quickly or accumulating somewhere.
3. 3 Rent pipe inspection equipment. Check with several hardware stores or tool rentals to compare prices for pipe inspection equipment. These cables with tiny video cameras are inserted into the drain and transfer the recorded image to the monitor, allowing you to see blockages, damage and other problems with the pipes. Models vary in performance, quality, and availability, so pricing can vary greatly depending on where you live and your needs.
   • Cheaper models are sufficient to detect common blockage or damage.
4. 4 See a professional. If an independent inspection of the drainage pipes did not give the desired results or you just want to make sure that the drainage system is in good condition, contact a specialist for help. He will be able to quickly and efficiently check the entire system, and then report if there is a problem that leads to leakage, flooding or damage.

Tips

• If a drain pipe connects to a gutter, clean the gutters and downpipes during the annual inspection. Buy a grate for gutters to keep debris out of the pipes.