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How to Unclog a Yard Drain (5 ways)
If you have gone through the expense of having a yard drainage system installed at your home, it will be worthwhile to maintain it properly. To take care of your drainage system, it will require you to inspect it regularly for clogs. Please read on for a list of five different ways you can unclog your yard drain.
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Garden Hose
Something as simple as your garden hose can sometimes fix a clogged yard drain. Locate the clogged pipe that connects to the bottom of your gutter downspout to start clearing a minor blockage. Push the pipe down and pull it away from the downspout. Insert a garden hose inside the pipe opening and turn the water on full blast. After several minutes have passed, inspect the discharge point for any debris flowing out of the system. You can turn the garden hose water off once you see clean water flowing out.
Drain Cleaning Bladder
A drain cleaning bladder is an inexpensive device made to clear minor obstructions in drainage pipes that can be purchased at most home improvement stores. The rubber drain bladder has a garden hose connection on one end with a small hole on the other end. The drain bladder is connected to a garden hose and inserted inside the end of the obstructed pipe about 6″ down. The drain bladder expands to the walls of the pipe as water pressure increases, creating a seal inside the pipe. After the pipe is sealed, pressurized water will exit a small hole and push debris out.
Water Jetter
A water jetter uses high water flow rates and high-pressure water jets to clear and clean obstructed drainage pipes. Commercial-grade water jetters have at least 3,000 PSI of water pressure and at least 4 GPM of water flow to clear obstructions in 3″ to 4″ drainage pipes. This device uses a high-pressure water pump to push water through a small hose and out through a nozzle with several tiny pinholes in it. A water jetter is a costlier, more advanced tool used by someone who installs drainage systems and is likely not a DIY tool either.
Drain Auger
For more severe yard drainpipe blockages, a drain auger or drain snake may be needed. A drain auger is made of flexible steel cables that are rotated by a motor. The steel cables are inserted inside 3″ to 4″ landscape drainage pipes while being rotated by the motor and slowly fed down the pipe until they reach the blockage to physically remove it. A motorized drain auger can cost several thousand dollars and is likely not a DIY tool.
Call a Drainage Contractor
For drainage pipes with severe blockages, it’s best to call a drainage professional. They have advanced tools, like the mechanical drain auger or water jetter mentioned above, that can clear drainpipes clogged by tree roots, dense clay soil, mud, and other large debris. Some drainage contractors even have pipe inspection cameras that can determine why the drainage system failed, if there’s an obstruction in the pipe that simply needs to be cleared, or if a new drainage pipe installation is required.
By investing a bit of time and effort every year, you can easily maintain your lawn drainage system and protect your home and investment for years to come.