If you have started noticing an unpleasant smell outside the house or one of your sinks inside is taking a long time to drain, then you might have the problem of a blocked drain.
When the drain is inside the home this means it is your problem, or the landlord’s problem, but when you are looking to unblock an outside drain this means knowing whether it is your responsibility or someone else’s. Here is a look at common causes of drain blockages, some ideas of what you can do and who to talk to about solving the issue.
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Typical outside drain blockages
There are a number of common types of drain blockages that can happen. If you first talk with neighbors you can then determine if it is a problem with shared drains or one of your own.
When you notice problems it is important to have an expert plumber unblock an outside drain sooner rather than later so the problem does not become something more serious.
- A blocked kitchen drain outside – A drain that is close to your kitchen but outside is your responsibility to clear.
- An overflowing outside drain – Overflowing water is a sign of a blocked drain. If you see it, it is not something to ignore.
- An external drain that seems blocked – When it comes to external drains there are multiple reasons why they might get blocked from household reasons to things like leaves and debris. Depending on where it is, depends on if you need to call a plumber or call someone else responsible.
- A drain outside that has a bad smell – Any kind of rotten or bad smell around a drain is another reason to have a plumber come to investigate.
Things that can cause outside drains to get blocked
Some of the common causes of blocked drains include;
- Moss
- Litter
- Branches, twigs and leaves
- Mud and soil and sand
- Any other debris from outside
- Items flushed down pipes that should not have been such as fat or oil, wet wipes, soap scum and hair build-up and coffee grounds
To prevent blockages you should think about disposing of the above things in the proper manner, cover drains and every now and then use a pressure hose and give a little blast to outside drains.
Who is responsible for outside drains?
It is all about where the drain is. Drains that are close to your property tend to be your issue to deal with. Plumbing is not something you should handle yourself so that means calling in a professional plumber that can unblock an outside drain. For drains that on public land then it is the water authority or the local council that needs to be called to have it handled.
How to unblock an outside drain
You can take steps to prevent blocked drains but it is not something you should be getting into yourself. Look for a drainage expert or professional plumber as they have the right tools and training and can handle it efficiently and quickly.
