Hello all. My external drain, underneath a downpipe, is blocked with rainwater. I believe the cause is cement washed down from when my patio was laid a year ago. I have tried to scrape it away and dissolve it but nothing seems to work. I have noticed what looks like a turntable plug, almost like a potential overflow, that could be openable, and this might release the water down a side drain. But I'm not sure if this is feasible and if so what tool could be used. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm clearly a non plumber and scrambling around for direction. Photos attached. The potentially turntable plug device is seen through the grate. Thanks in advance... Adrian
OP, Typically, the down pipe discharges into a trapped gulley. Can you stand back and photo a much larger context showing the whole elevation? Is there a manhole cover nearby? Why not lift & remove the grate, & reach down with a gloved hand and a small container and empty the water and any sludge - & then photo the dry'ish gulley? The waste tissues trapped in the grate look like toilet paper - where did they come from?
Does your "turntable" have a hollow thread sticking out of the middle? Picture's not clear but it sounds like a pipe stopper which would be a temporary job.
Hi both, here is a better photo and yes it is actually a plug. It says remove for rodding. Is there a tool available to do this. It's quite tricky to get at so a specific tool would be ideal. Thanks again. Adrian
That should just be a friction fit with a rubber seal so it should just pop out with a flat blade screwdriver or a small flat prybar.
OP, You have a trap with a rodding point. Leave the rodding point plug alone until the trap is free of debris and sludge. Thoroughly clean out the trap - debris can still be seen. The plug looks like its an expanding plug with a screw head for adjusting expansion - the two ears are probably for twisting it out of any locked-in position, & breaking any seal. After clearing the debris try a hose pipe down the trap - if no luck then remove the plug and you will have the choice of DIY rodding or jet hosing.
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