'blocked 'outside drain again! Help!

[judethepude]

I had some very helpful suggestions from several of you just the other day, which helped me to clear the outside drain from my kitchen sink, dishwasher, and gutters, etc. It seemed to work, but this morning I have got up to find the drain and the back yard full of gunge, apparently 'thrown up' by the drain! It looks as if someone has been sick (big-time!) Apologies if you've just had your tea.

What on earth is going on? Has anyone else experienced this strange phenomenon? I didn't mention that my house is 200 years old, and still has its original drainage system -could this have any bearing on the situation?

[LATECOMER]

Hello Jude. Go to a plumbers merchant and ask for Drain acid, it is very strong so be very very careful!!! It is strong enough to eat through wood, so be warned. Pour it down the drain and stand well clear. For safety reasons they may try and give you a weaker substitute make sure its Acid. Read the instructions!!!!!!

[logman]

It sounds to me that your waste pipe is "backing up" The initial clearing seems to have only partly worked and you may have a blockage further down. I think the only option left now is to get someone in and pressure jet it.

Good Luck

[qapmoc]

You can also get a enyzme based septic tank/pipe cleaner which uses natural enzymes which will basically eat the waste and liquify it, this is the same sort of stuff that the sewarge works use to dipose of their waste. You just put some down the drain (it is in pellets) and wait a couple of days and it will usually clear out most blocks. The only problem is that I don't know where you might get it from where you are.

[gary baldy]

Had a similiar problem and as latecomer says get some acid (hydrochloric i think - comes in granules and you mix it yourself) . really really enviromentally unfriendly but works a treat - good for cleaning flags and drives aswell. If that fails it could be something 'inorganic' - sanitary products are usually the culprit (lady things and baby wipes etc.) - cost you about �120 to get things moving from dyna-rod type firms.

[judethepude]

Thanks for all your answers on this topic. Unfortunately, things have suddenly taken such a dramatic turn for the worse that we are calling Environmental Health in the morning. I'll keep you posted!

[stanleyman]

When my wife was a forensic scientist she worked on the Dennis Nielsen case where he had caused a blockage in the drains with partially cooked body parts. You haven't also been killing for company by any chance?

[judethepude]

Dear Stanleyman

I haven't, but I can't account for my husband's activities. And he does have an unusual fascination with Serial Killers.......I don't think he spends his days luring young men or indeed women, into our home, but only a thorough investigation will reveal the truth! Seriously though, and all macabre joking aside, we have a pretty horrible state of affairs here!

[stanleyman]

Glad to hear you think you are all innocent. I hope you get the problem sorted out soon, it can't be much fun.

[Scarlett]

I know I am a single girl, but I always go for the "pay a little man to do it" option. It is just never worth the hassle trying to fix something yourslef- especially when it is 200 year old drains.

You could try complaining to your water company? That is what I did, and they came out several times to find a solution.

[judethepude]

Problem sorted! A nice young man from Yorkshire Water came and did the job. I hope they pay him well! It was free of charge too! Thanks, Scarlett, you were right about that.