The French drain will be clogged if you do not clean it regularly. The following article will tell you how to unclog a French drain.
Unclogging a French drain can be challenging. It will be better if you have someone to help you, but you do not need to worry if you are working alone, you can surely manage it. You will get dirty while cleaning the drain, so you better wear the right gear for the job. Hand gloves are a must, as you might have to use your hands to remove the dirt from the drain.
Unclogging a French Drain
Sometimes the clogs are easy to remove, whereas sometimes your French drain will have a major clog. You will never realize the intensity of the clog unless you start cleaning the drain. Your approach should be progressive. Initially you should assume that the clog is minor, and treat it accordingly. If the problem is not solved, then you should assume that it is a medium clog, and clean it using some other method. If you find that the drain is still clogged, then you should use the techniques used to treat a major clog.
Minor Clog
If the clog is minor, then you will be done quickly. You will not need any specific equipment for this. Leaves or dirt covering the opening of the mouth of the drain can be termed as minor clog. To treat a minor clog, you will have to remove any leaves or dirt, which cover the mouth of the drain. Use your hands, and remove the clog. Once you have treated the minor clog, hose some water down the drain. If the water does not flow freely to the outlet, then you might have a serious problem.
Medium Clog
To clean a French drain with a medium clog, you will need a pressure cleaner. When you use a pressure cleaner to unclog the drain, chances are that the water from the cleaner might fire back at you when it hits the clog. You do not want that right? So, you should always stand towards the side while using a pressure cleaner. Once you are on the side, you can use the cleaner without hesitation, but before you fire the water, angle the pressure cleaner in such a way, that the stream of water from the cleaner will hit the bottom of the drain first (rather than the sides of the drain), this will help you remove the clog easily. If you are sure that the angle is correct, you can fire the water. If the water does not back up, and flows through the outlet of the drain, then you have successfully solved the drain problem, else you have a major clog to deal with.
Major Clog
Treating a major clog might be time-consuming. You will need a pressure cleaner, drain opener chemical, and a sewer snake. First you should take some drain opener chemical and pour it into the drain. Leave it for 4 hours. Then use pressure cleaner. If the water is backing up, then the clog problem is not solved, you will have to pour more chemical into the drain. Wait for a few hours, then check with the pressure cleaner, if the water flows freely to the outlet, your job is done. In most cases, you can unclog the drain by just using chemicals, but if you find that the water is backing up even after using the chemical, then you should use a sewer snake. When you use a sewer snake, your intention is to poke the clog till it becomes loose. When clog is loose, use a pressure cleaner. If there are several clogs, you will have to use the sewer snake several times.
Note: Read manufacturer’s guidelines before you use the drain opener chemical. Wear safety gear and be careful while handling the chemical.
Once you have unclogged the drain, you should make sure that it does not get clogged again. Remember, regular cleaning is easier than unclogging, so hose the drain periodically, and avoid the hassles of unclogging your French drain.