How to Unblock Outdoor Drains Quickly: A Complete Guide

Outdoor drains can become blocked over time as leaves, dirt, grease, and debris build up. If you’ve noticed a lingering smell outside your home or your sink draining slowly, a blocked outdoor drain could be the culprit. Left untreated, these blockages can lead to water pooling, flooding, and unpleasant odours.

This guide will cover the common causes of outdoor drain blockages, how to identify the blockage and preventative measures you can take to keep your drains clear.

Common Causes for Blocked Outdoor Drains

Before you even attempt to clear an outside drain, you need to understand what may be causing the blockage, as this could guide your next steps.

Leaves, Twigs & Natural Debris

It’s very common for fallen leaves, twigs and small branches to accumulate and clog external drains. We find that this is a much more common occurrence in autumn when leaves, and conkers are falling from trees. In some instances, this can be the easiest to identify and remove as it may only be affected the drain cover as opposed to the pipes underground.

Mud & Dirt

Rainwater can wash mud and sediment into the drainage system, which can build up forming a solid blockage. In the countryside, external drains do often become clogged with mud and dirt due heavy rainfall, agricultural runoff and unpaved surfaces.

At Drain Doctor, we often find more rural drains are particularly vulnerable to soil erosion and flooding.

Grease & Oil

Grease and oil are one of the leading causes of drain blockages due to the sheer number of homeowners who pour fat down their kitchen sinks. With such a large number of homes disposing of grease this way it doesn’t take long for it to build up and become a big problem. To prevent this as much as possible, you should always dispose of your cooking oils appropriately, waiting until the oil has solidified you can then scrape the remnants into your food waste, compost or into a container and then place in your general waste bin.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can grow as long as 3x the height of the tree itself, and they are drawn towards water sources. Unfortunately, for many homeowners, this makes drain systems the most attractive place to grow. Not only can tree roots block pipes but they can also damage and even destroy the pipes. You may be able to diagnose tree roots as the cause if there’s a large tree close by, or you can see the roots when you look into the drain.

Litter and Debris

Plastic, food wrappers and other waste can easily find their way into drains and cause clogs. Unfortunately, people do litter which is a common cause of blockages, however, we also know that strong winds and animals disrupt general and recycling waste.

Identifying Drain Blockages

When you’re dealing with a potential blocked drain, there are a few factors that could help you work out if the blockage is isolated to your home or is a larger issue affecting the shared drainage system. Although you may be experiencing issues with water drainage or backups in your home, it may very well be caused by an outdoor drain being blocked.

One way to identify whether it’s a larger problem or simply a clogged sink, would be to speak to other people living on your street. If they’ve also noticed issues with water backing up, draining or strange smells, it may well be that there’s an issue with a shared outside drain.

Blocked Outside Kitchen Drains

It’s not uncommon for your outside kitchen drain to become blocked, the most common cause of kitchen drains are grease and fat that solidify as they cool, creating a sticky trap for food debris. Leaves, twigs and dirt may also accumulate in the drain opening preventing water from flowing into the drain system. Outside kitchen drains are not typically part of the public sewer system and therefore it would be your responsibility to clear this blockage.

Smelly, Blocked, and Flooded External Public Drains

External public drains can become smelly, blocked, or even flooded due to various factors. A foul odour is often the first sign of a problem, especially when the drain is connected to the sewage system. Identifying the source of the smell can help determine the severity of the blockage and reveal potential causes. Blockages can occur due to a buildup of leaves, debris, food waste, wet wipes, or feminine hygiene products, some of which may not be your responsibility to clear. If a drain emits a strong, rotten smell, it is likely clogged with various waste materials. In more severe cases, an overflowing drain is a clear indication of a blockage that needs immediate attention.

How to Unblock an External Drain

Although you may feel confident unblocking a drain yourself, you should exercise caution as you could do more harm than good, to both yourself and your drain. Contacting a professional drainage and emergency plumbing expert like Drain Doctor is always your safest option. We have all of the training and tools to unblock, repair or replace drains safely and efficiently.

The responsibility for dealing with blocked drains depends on how the drainage network operates in your area. You need to start by identifying where the problem is and therefore who is responsible for dealing with it.

Contact your Local Water Partner: They will quickly be able to advise you on whether the drain is private or shared and whether the responsibility to unblock it is down to you. If this does fall within their responsibility, they will put you in touch with the right team to report the blockage to and if appropriate send someone out to unblock the drain.

Contact a Professional Drainage Company: A professional drainage company such as Drain Doctor ourselves, will be able to assist you in investigating the drain blockage and fixing it, quickly. If you notice flooding or believe the blockage is causing more serious issues, we provide a 24/7 emergency service, so don’t hesitate to contact us.

At Drain Doctor, we have specialised CCTV equipment that we can use to investigate drain systems, using this we’re able to perform an in depth drain survey to uncover what’s really going on underground. Almost every time we’re able to unblock the drain there and then or make repairs to the system if needed.

What can I do to stop my external drains blocking again?

Although there’s no guarantee to stop drain blockages again, there are some simple preventative steps you can take to minimise the risk.

• Regularly remove leaves and debris from drain covers.
• Have your gutter, and downspout cleared and cleaned regularly.
• Occasionally flush your drains through with hot water to dissolve build up.
• Always avoid pouring grease or oil down any drains (internal & external).
• Use drain guards or strainers throughout your home to catch debris.
• Schedule periodic drain cleaning with a drainage and emergency plumbing specialist.

Need to Speak to Professional Drainage and Emergency Plumbing Experts?

If you’ve noticed a smelly, or blocked drain near you, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Regular maintenance can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Contact Drain Doctor for a free callout and a free no-obligation quote. Alternatively, you can book your CCTV Drain Survey today!