Blocked downpipes can be a huge problem that causes overflowing gutters, internal water damage and if let for long enough structural issues with your home. As some downpipes are tall it can feel like a tough job to complete but cleaning a downpipe is possible for the diy enthusiast with a few simple tools.
A typical downpipe clearance job takes about 30 minutes, so this is something that can be done during a weekend morning.
What exactly do downpipes do anyway?
Downpipes are all the vertical pipes that lead from the houses gutters towards the land drains. The idea being that water collected by the roof can make it down to ground level without ever touching the walls of the building. This is important because perpetually wet walls create damp and are also less efficient at insulating your home.
How do I know if a downpipe is blocked?
- This can be tricky, as an overflowing downpipe can mimic other issues, such as leaking joints or cracked guttering. There are a few telltale signs of a blockage though:
- Overflowing gutters: Water will cascade over the edge of your gutters when it rains. This is in contrast with a gutter leak that will tend to drip consistently and for some time after a rain shower has cleared.
- Backflow of water: When water collects in a gutter, it always finds the lowest point in the guttering to cascade from. This can often be the opposite side to the downpipe or alternatively a middle joint in the guttering that’s been fitted at a lower level.
- Cracks in your foundation and walls: Eventually, cascading water will damage render and brickwork. At first this damage is restricted to dirt but eventually the surface of the wall will become soft or crumbly to the touch. You may notice cracked beginning to appear too.
Common ways a downpipe gets blocked
There are a few common reasons downpipes get blocked regularly. Some require frequent maintenance yet others are issues that can be fixed once.
- Debris: This is common in areas with large trees or bushes nearby. It’s a common problem and required yearly maintenance to ensure the gutters are running clear.
- Ice: Not so common in temperate areas; however, it’s a constant problem for those who live in areas where the ambient temperature frequently passes below freezing point.
- Tree roots: This is common on homes that haven’t been maintained for some time. Occasionally trees can root directly into your homes roof and send shoots into gutters, downpipes and inside your attic space too. Thankfully for the majority of well maintained homes this type of damage is extremely rare.
How to unblock a downpipe
There are a couple of ways to complete a downpipe clearance, and often it’s the type of debris that dictates what’s required. If you get stuck contact your local gutter cleaning and repair service as they’ll have experience with all types of gutter system.
1. Manually Clearing The Downpipe
This is the simple solution and needs a simple hosepipe and drain snake to complete. The snake will clear a hole in the debris, whilst the hose can be used to flush the downpipe clear afterwards. You may hear a satisfying “clunk” or “whoosh” noise as the debris is flushed to the bottom of the pipe.
2. Using A Gutter Vacuum
A gutter vacuum is a specialised tool designed to remove debris from gutters and downpipes. These tools are very expensive and there’s a technique to using them, so it’s almost always easier and cheaper to make a booking with a local gutter clearance company to come and clean your gutters with a vacuum.
3. Running Water Through The Downpipe
Sometimes you can clear a downpipe by pushing the end of a hose into the hopper at the top and letting it run. This won’t work for heavy debris, but can often clear leaves and moss within seconds.
4. Chemical Degreasers
This is quite a rare technique to use on downpipes and is usually employed to clear oil and cooking fat from drains at ground level. Sometimes your kitchen sink and downpipe will actually join together in some systems, so it’s worth contacting a gutter and drain professional to check if you believe this is happening.
Preventing Further Blockages
Clean your gutters regularly: For most properties this can be done once a year; however, some areas require more frequent cleaning if trees are present nearby.
Install gutter guards or hedgehogs: Gutter guards act as a physical barrier, preventing debris from entering your gutters. They can help to significantly reduce the frequency of cleaning and blockages.
Maintain your roof: Roof cleaning can be carried out if there are signs of large areas of moss growing. The chemicals used will also kill the moss, ensuring that it doesn’t grow back quickly.
Plant trees away from your gutters: Large deciduous trees can cause also of damage to your home. So do try and plant any new trees towards the bottom of your garden away from any buildings. Existing trees can be cut back and larger ones can be kept in check by a competent tree surgeon.
Consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning service: If you are not comfortable cleaning your gutters yourself, consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning service. They can thoroughly clean your gutters and advise you on additional maintenance measures. Many gutter cleaners can also repair and offer good advice when it comes to damp or roof issues.