5 Ways To Clear A Blocked Downpipe Yourself

You may not give them a lot of thought, and you may underestimate their importance, but the downpipes on your house or building really are performing a crucial role. On the face of it, it’s just a “down”wards-heading “pipe” that shows the rainwater where to go after collecting in your gutters amid a downpour – namely, into your stormwater drains in a controlled manner.

Simple and ingenious, right? Correct: until weeks, months and years of downpours leave a lot of gunk and debris in your gutters that make their way to the downpipes and create a blockage. When this happens, the flow of stormwater will slow and may eventually clog up completely, risking flooding, seepage into your roof and walls, and even water stagnation which is a fertile breeding ground for mozzies and other pests. A single blocked downpipe ramps up your risk of leaks, damage and even fire, and it’s important to understand that if you never put any thought into how to unblock a downpipe, a severe blockage will inevitably occur. It’s just a matter of time.

Simple DIY: How do you clear a blocked downpipe?

Before calling Affordable Plumbing Solutions for fast, professional and affordable help with your blocked downpipes, are you up for a bit of DIY? While a licensed local Sydney plumber is a necessity for most kinds of household plumbing, learning how to unblock a downpipe is something you can try yourself – so let’s get right into it:

1. Check your tools

Understanding how to clear a blocked downpipe may be quite simple in some cases, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need the right tools. For instance, if you don’t have a ladder or a garden hose it’s going to be very tricky to attempt.

2. Are you confident?

Next up, ask yourself if you’re a bit of a whiz with household DIY – because ladders and roofs don’t mix well with inexperienced or untrained human beings. Bear in mind that the pros may use specialist gear like safety harnesses, so always think of your wellbeing first of all.

3. A simple flush

We’ll be honest – a simple flush really is easy. Just poke that hose down the downpipe, crank on the tap and wiggle it around while it’s flowing to help break up the blockage.

4. Use a water jetter

A simple flush doesn’t always work. An expert at blocked drain cleaning will carry a high-pressure water jetter that can successfully clear all gunk and blockages. You can grab a basic jetter yourself  – and if you do, wearing your best clothes is not a great idea, go and put something on that’s going to get wet and grubby!

5. Take the downpipe apart

If you’re really feeling adventurous and that stubbornly blocked downpipe remains stubbornly blocked, you might like to try taking the downpipe apart so you can really understand what’s causing that blockage.

Had any luck? If you’re still having issues with your downpipe, then something a little more serious might be going on like a blocked stormwater drain. If you’re ready to throw that blocked downpipe into the too-hard-basket, it’s time to give Affordable Plumbing Solutions a call. Our experienced pros will fix it in a jiffy, and even advise about whether your downpipe configuration needs some wider maintenance or replacements. Our plumbing team are also trusted professionals right across the Sydney North Shore region, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches and beyond.

So don’t let blocked downpipes get you down, and instead drop us a line here at Affordable Plumbing Solutions – we can’t wait to help!