Hi Dale,
Possibly I used the wrong terms to describe the plastic pipe I'm trying to clear. I'm quite sure it's not anykind of a weeping pipe. By corrugated, I mean that it's ridged the entire length. It's much the same as flexible hoses used around swimming pools but on a larger scale. I was afraid that someone would suggest cleaning the pipe again with my shop vac. The look, feel and smell of the stuff that came out of the pipe the last time I cleaned it made me want to hurl. But, not wanting to replace any of the doorframe at the bottom of the stairs due to water damage, I guess I'll break out the clothes pin and laytex gloves and give it another try. I own a snake so I guess I'll give that a shot, too. Thanks for the advice. Take care, Ed Przybylek From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 3:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Outdoor Drain Problems I would start with the vacuum again you will probably remove a load of debris once more. That corrugated pipe sounds to me like standard weeping tile. It will allow thin very fine particulate into the drain, as water is attracted to it from under the basement and elsewhere and this can fill the pipe with time. Once you have done with the vacuum maybe try running a garden hose in. It is much smaller and might make a corner but once it is in as far as you can get it try flushing through with water. the extra pressure may begin washing silt and other debris along the drain.. Do you have a sump or does it go into a storm sewer system or just where does the weeping tile empty? There may be a cleaning eye along there of use. Plant material will dissolve in the presence of good strong drain cleaners but not silt and sand. Not so sure about using a power snake without some previous experience but you can buy relatively cheap drain snakes and they can be very effective in opening a drain. Once you do get it running better I would continue flushing it to move as much through as possible. There is likely quite a bit of junk using up space in the line. ----- Original Message ----- From: Edward Przybylek To: BlindHandyMan Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 3:17 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Outdoor Drain Problems Good afternoon gentlemen and gentle women, My basement has a door leading out the back of the house to the backyard. Just outside the door is a 5 by 5 landing and 5 or 6 stairs going up to ground level. At the center of the landing, there is a drain to prevent water build-up at the bottom of the stairs. The drain pipe is made of corrugated plastic. It goes down about a foot and then makes a right angle to go off underneath the basement. A couple years ago, I noticed that water was beginning to drain down the pipe at a reduced rate. Using my shop vac and an extra long hose, I tried vacuuming outh the pipe. What I sucked out of the drain was about 10 pounds of gravel along with some twigs and other plant debris. I was able to push the shop vac hose down the pipe about 10 feet before it refused to go any further. I decided there was probably another right angle in the pipe and that the hose probably wasn't going to go much further. At one point, someone had kicked the cover off the drain and neglected to put it back. This would explain the plant matter in the pipe. I have no idea of how the gravel would have gotten into the drain. Any ideas? The cleaning helped the drain a lot so I figured the problem was solved. This year, however, the water at the bottom of the stairs began drainging slowly again. I decided to call the good folks at RotoRooter and have them come take a look. I've heard they can do wonderful things with such problems. After pulling the drain cover and peering down into the pipe, one of the guys told me he was sure they could help. The cost, he said, would be $270 and, because he thought it wouldn't take them all that long, that he wouldn't charge me the $185 that they usually charged to feed a video camera down the pipe. When I asked about a guarantee for the work they did, I was told they do not give a guarantee because they really didn't know what they were getting into until they fed the video camera into the drain. I decided to try a couple of things on my own before shelling out that kind of money for something that may or may not work. I've heard of power snakes that can be rented from the local Home Depot or Lowe's. I'm a little leary of using such a tool because the pipe is plastic and some of what I'll be trying to remove, I'm sure, will be more gravel. So, gentlemen and gentle women, I once again stand before you, with hat in hand, seeking any sage advice you may have on how to unclog a clogged drain. Thanks. Take care, Ed Przybylek (the one who really hates plumbing) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.0/1602 - Release Date: 8/9/2008 1:22 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
