Clogged Storm Drain - Hydro Jetting?

[The Critic]

I have a clogged storm drain on my driveway. The drain is normally connected to a downspout. The drain appears to be clogged with dirt and roots.

Length of pipe between the drain and the street is about 20 feet. I have been told that hydro jetting is the best course of action. Initial quotes I have received is $600/hr with a two hr minimum.

What are my options?

Thanks.

 

[AZjeff]

Do you have a pressure washer? Get a power washer high pressure hose sewer jetter kit (Amazon) and do it yourself and save $$$.

 

[mrvmax]

Do you have a pressure washer? Get a power washer high pressure hose sewer jetter kit (Amazon) and do it yourself and save $$$.

I’d sure try this before I spent $1200 or more.

 

[Pablo]

Do you have a pressure washer? Get a power washer high pressure hose sewer jetter kit (Amazon) and do it yourself and save $$$.

These things are decent - used a couple times - BUT it really depends what is on the terminal end...............drain field? Gutter? Open??

 

[The Critic]

Do you have a pressure washer? Get a power washer high pressure hose sewer jetter kit (Amazon) and do it yourself and save $$$.

Yes, I own a 3800 psi gas pressure washer. Will that suffice?

These things are decent - used a couple times - BUT it really depends what is on the terminal end...............drain field? Gutter? Open??

Open pipe that drains into the street.

 

[Pablo]

Yes, I own a 3800 psi gas pressure washer. Will that suffice?


Open pipe that drains into the street.

Should work great for you then!

 

[IndyIan]

There must be a little high pressure nozzle you can fit to the end of the hose and feed the whole length down the drain to the street sewer.

 

[Nukeman7]

If the pressure washer doesn't work, I suggest renting or buying a drain snake drum auger machine.

 

[Pablo]

This is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMBN987?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_9&th=1

 

[burbguy82]

If they get it done in 15 minutes, make them stay for the two hours and jet your sanitary sewer as well. Also, are they including proof that the line is clear....such as a video with a camera? The price should be inclusive of that. Just because the dirt you see is gone, it might just be pushed further down the pipe. Next thing you know, they are back with an open palm asking for more money.

Unfortunately, you have corrugated pipe, again and while a jetting will get the job done (if it can be), the issue will arise again with time.

The best way to maintain this type of pipe is to fully large amounts of water in short time periods down the pipe, like from a water truck. I know a little about plumbing.

 

[grasscutter]

Whenever my plumber comes out to clear my sewer line, he always uses the Spartan model 300.

The hyrdoblast machine he uses for grease in the drains at restaurants.

 

[The Critic]

This is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMBN987?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_9&th=1

Just ordered, thanks.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

If the pressure washer doesn't work, I suggest renting or buying a drain snake drum auger machine.

View attachment 340918

A friend used one of these on the house drain, said it tangled up in seconds, then took hours to untangle it. It took all day, and had to be fed really slow. If you try this, be careful. The pressure washer sounds better

 

[Rand]

an auger can damage those corrugated pipes without using extreme caution
+1 on the water jet.

 

[Nukeman7]

A friend used one of these on the house drain, said it tangled up in seconds, then took hours to untangle it. It took all day, and had to be fed really slow. If you try this, be careful. The pressure washer sounds better

You have to slowly pull out and feed the cable ~6 inches at a time. I've owned the Harbor Freight one since 2020 and never had any issues using it multiple times...as long as you handle the cable with leather gloves.

 

[Pablo]

It is still gonna be a technique game

That thing looks more blocked than an elephant on 50 pounds of kaopectate

Bore through then start making the bore hole larger hopefully the brown stuff spurging out

 

[AZjeff]

I’d sure try this before I spent $1200 or more.

Our 2" sink drain has a belly that collects muck and slowly clogs. After the 2nd $400 visit to unclog it, first with a traditional power snake thing then with a professional suitcase sized high pressure water jetter I decided I could do it myself. When the drain slowed again in March I bought one of the high pressure hoses with some nozzles and got the drain open. It took a while but my pressure washer was a hand me down and probably doesn't have rated psi. And I have time to do it. Figure me doing it once paid for the high pressure hose and the new power washer I'll buy for the next time. Like everything in the world there are video on YouTube.

Bore through then start making the bore hole larger hopefully the brown stuff spurging out

And start from the street end so you can flush the dirt out as it gets loosened. May shoot a garden hose up it to help the dirt out.

 

[Pablo]

And start from the street end so you can flush the dirt out as it gets loosened. May shoot a garden hose up it to help the dirt out.

Good idea!!

 

[Rand]

I bought the 39.99 one that looked identical.
I have a triple front gutter that is clogged somewhere underground and I have no idea where it drains..
but it would be nice to get the diversion pipes I installed out of the mulch beds.

Was clogged when I bought the house.. neighbors drains at the curb.. my curb has no cutouts...
it is smooth pvc pipes though.. a major plus.

I have one random corrigated 4" pipe comes out under the driveway but it looks abandoned and full of cans etc.

with a hose you can run it at any of the 3 entrances and it will backup eventually and get the foundation wet.
so they are connected and not clogged too early.

Its a mystery. Garden Hose makes it 6-8ft in.. and I lost where they are underground in the yard about there.

if nothing else I'll learn how to waterjet and avoid the next sunday emergency call out
when the house main line backs up. at $400

 

[Donald]

If you have roots that have grown into the pipe I think you have a problem.. Don't think a hydro blaster will clear roots. And they will come back. Either the pipe is corrugated or there is a crack or a joint not sealed. But still worth trying something you can rent or borrow.

If you have to pay someone, pay to have the pipe replaced with solid PVC.