How to unclog underground drains / french drains - Water-jetting
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2020
- This is how I unclog ground level drains, french drains, and underground drains off downspouts. All drain catch basins need to be checked and the "trap" cleared of debris regularly. There are 2 methods for removing clogs.
-The first method is to dump a LOT of water down the drain the use a powerful backpack blower to push the clog out of the end.
-The second method is to use a hydrojet, sewerjetter, power washer jetter attachment. This is the method we use in the video.
Visit my personal business website:
Https://DIVCleaningService.com
TOOLS -Commonly used:
ExteriorCleaningTools.com
Thanks for the share🍻 quick instructional info put to use, cleared mine out in no time!
NICE!
Great video.
Thanks!
It rained hard and my drain clogged after wall work was done on my back yard. The workers filled the drain with dirt as they worked. Only noticed when the clogged back yard area began to flood. Did what you helper did and pulled out the dirt got one of them orange 🍊 buckets 🪣 filled it up with 5 gallons on water and walaaa it’s fixed. Thanks
I'm glad the video helped you!
Do you have any advice on how to fix a severely flooded yard behind our apartment? I’m not sure on how to include photos but it has not drained at all in a long time and is just a huge muddy mess.
Probably need to consult a local grading/drainage company.
My underground drain< made of black corrugated pipe< is completely filled with dirt at the outlet. Would hydro jetting be appropriate for this scenario? Should I run the hydro jet from the house (30 feet away) to the street or the reverse direction? Thanks for you help.
Jetting should work if you have a strong enough unity. If you know where the exit is, run the jet from the exit. This will allow you to back flush the debris out.
Thank you for the video. During heavy rain, one of my yard drains will get completely covered with dirt on top so that it is no longer visible. Erosion. We dig it out immediately. But can we prevent that from happening? This drain is located on a side yard where grass growing is difficult. Should we cover it with rocks?
I'd probably get a different drain cover that is more of a "cone" shape. This way it will not get completely clogged by surface debris.
Have you had luck getting through tree roots with that jetter? My jetter got through most of my french drain but I've got a few feet of roots that it hasn't been able to clear.
That really depends on the tips, GPM, and PSI you are using. It may be easier to use a heavy duty auger to rip out the roots, then the jetter to flush.
Hey were are you guys located?...and do you recommend screening on top of drain?
Wes
NC, Nope just keep the catch basin cleared regularly.
Thanks man. Great video. Usually, how do you price the french drain cleaning?
$100 minimum per "inlet"
After you notify the customer of the estimate to remove the clog in the underground drainage system how do you go about removing it. First, like you said using that pressure washer nozzle but with heavy clogs do you dig it up and take it apart?
Typically we use the jetter to blast clogs apart, find where the drain daylights, then run the jetter from the exit and black flush the debris out.
I have drive way drain. I took cover off and removed all debris. Then I tried to snake it but it appears there is a screen . How does the screen come off ????
If I'm correct from my understanding I'm not supposed to empty out all of the dirt from within the drain itself where the cover is correct? Because if not I would like some clarification.
Wrong, you definitely empty out all of the dirt! You don't want that dirt to accumulate. Once the dirt level accumulates to the drain pipe opening, the dirt will start going into your underground drain pipes. Then it's a much more difficult cleaning.
I have been in my house 30+ yrs. There is an approximate 12 foot wide×15 long driveway drain that goes to an undergroung back and forth french drain.
Evidently that used to be part of my 1936 property but now is a back yard of a neighbor.
It now doesn't drain well.
I suspect a previous nefarious neighbor blocked the drain. I am going to try your method. Any more suggestions?
Work with your neighbor to make sure they can appropriately handle the new volume of water if you get the drains functioning again.
Trying to find a local company like yours in my area the do a similar job, any recommendations? Clawson MI
You could contact plumbing company, but most do not want to mess with landscape/gutter drainage.
How much does something like this cost? I live in NJ and I have a similar set up. Our yard is sod with clay and it’s not level. We have a house behind us that’s higher up on a hill. Our drains have standing water in them and the yard feels like a marsh.
It could be that the drain lines are not pitched properly and draining. You may need to install a sump pump and properly pitched lines.
What if your French drain drains into your clean out for your house. Is it ok to blast all that debris into the clean out?
debris has to go somewhere. If there is no clear exit we try to blast apart the debris enough to allow water flow. Then we will install something to catch future debris and prevent future clogs.
Hey i have a underground french drain with one of those blockers how do I get that blocker to open ? Or off
Break/cut it out. However if you're not attaching a drain line that direction, just leave it blocked off.
Do you have a link for that attachment?!
No, sorry. Entry level ones can be found on Amazon.
How do I get the hose with the jet unstuck from inside the pvc drain pipe
I pull it out with the jetter running.
I noticed as i was outside, someone flushed the toilet and water came out of the pipe outside. Any suggestions on what to do?
No, sorry. Call a plumber.
Your drain is blocked down the line, call a plumber with a snake, this should be done about once a year.
Great video! I’d hire you for my house. I’m only on the other side of the country. How much should a service like this cost? Ballpark? I don’t mind paying just don’t want to get ripped off by anyone…
The prices range greatly. We charge $100 minimum per drain/downspout. Most jobs are around $1000 total.
I have a high pressure power washer. Where can I buy that tip?
a "jetter" store. Google sewer jetter. The tips need to match your machines' GPM
This may be a dumb question but why not use a shop vac for that dirt.
The filter would become dirty is my guess
No it's a great question, hands are quicker. For the underground portion it simply will not suck out all of the clogged debris.
What GPM power washer do you have? And what jetting system do you have ?
We have a 4GPM on our gutter cleaning truck. An 8GPM on our power washing truck. Links to the entry level jetter system are on this site: ExteriorCleaningTools.com
I use professional jetters as well but I have not tested them enough to be comfortable telling folks to spend $1K on jetter tips.
The link is broken btw
What is the maximum size pipe a jet can clean out?
They have jetters that are massive that clean massive pipes.
How many psi is required to clean out the French drain? I purchased a 2k PSI & definitely not enough.
it's not just psi, the volume of water is important too. A good pressure washer will do something around 4000psi and 4gpm.
3k+ PSI and as high GPM as you can afford.
mine just pvc pipes straight from the ground how do I clean those
PVC is usually easier to clean. Same method
Where can I buy that pressure washer attachment
Amazon has cheap starter kits for less than $100.
Hey I just watched your video, I'm very interested in having an appt for you to come out. I have two French drains that seem to be clogged and not working. I also may need a trench drain installed. Do you guys do services in Upstate South Carolina, the Greenville area? Please let me know as soon as possible. My name is Matthew
Hey Matthew. I am also in the Upstate. Did you ever get a solution for your French drain? I need to clean mine out as well. Joe
Sorry, we do not make it down that direction.
Will drano work?
I wish it would, but nope.
Nice Snort!
ROFL!
I have a customer with 3 inch pop ups about 2 feet deep. I can't even get my hand in there
If you run a jetter through there it should clear out all of the blockages.
you can also use a a large wet/dry vac if it's necessary.
Where do I buy one of those tips
Amazon. "Jetter tips"
2:32
What do I buy to do that?
this is a step by step video: th-cam.com/video/NA8QHpMELxQ/w-d-xo.html
All talk -- no action. SHOW us, don't tell us. Can't you do it with a simple garden hose?
You could try, I have found that pressure is needed to blast through roots and clogs.