Once of the oldest tricks in the book, boiling water. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Is it inside the waste pipe outlet from the bathtub, the … You can unblock an external or outdoor drain by lifting up the grate covering it and breaking up the clog with your hands or a drain rod if you can reach it. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Drain covers can be purchased at your local hardware store. How to Unblock an Outside Drain. Leaves, mulch, silt, and other yard debris can be difficult to clean and flush out of a landscape drain unless you have the right drain cleaner for the job.. Tip: If there's a chance of rain, cover the drain with a rag or plug so the vinegar and baking soda don't rinse out. A few methods you can take unblocking your outside kitchen drain yourself are; Pour water: Fat is the most common debris people find in their kitchen sink. Clean your drain screens periodically to remove any obstructions. Practical Tips on Unclogging Outdoor Drain Pipes & Portals. When using a sewer rod, direct the rod through the pipe until you reach the obstruction. That means that leaves, dirt, and even particularly heavy rainstorms may overload and ultimately cause clogging issues to this drain. This equipment will make your job easier and faster. Wear an oven mitt while you pour the water in case it spills down the side of the pot. A clogged landscape drainage pipe can result in significant damage and expense if left untended. Work the auger or rod in both directions of the drain line — back towards the house and out from the house. Generally speaking, you should check for blockages by assessing the flow of water through the pipes. Outside Drain Unblocker: Tools and Chemicals. If you keep your drains squeaky clean with regular flushing, you’ll never have to learn how to unclog an outside drain pipe. Drain Unblocking with a Hose A great way to clear a blockage without using chemicals is to use a hose or pressure jet to force the obstruction through the pipe. Simply cleaning grates regularly could go a long way toward preventing flooding and damage to landscaping. Even so, you may periodically experience issues like outside drain and French Drain pipes clogged with dirt and debris that causes backups and flooding. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This method of clearing drains is non-invasive and good for the environment. Begin feeding the hose into the pipe. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg\/aid10596114-v4-728px-Unblock-Outdoor-Drains-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"