French Drain Clog: How to Clean and Maintain
You may have installed a French drain to prevent water problems inside or outside your home, but even after installation, it requires proper maintenance. If your French drain is not properly maintained, it can clog. French drain clog will prevent water from flowing in and out of the drain pipe, and the water will back up instead of draining through the yard. This article discusses the causes of clogged French drains, how to clear them, and their cost; Additionally, what precautions you should take to prevent them from getting clogged.
How Does a French Drain Get Clogged?
French drains are the best solution for the most common homeowner problems like wet lawns, wet driveways, wet basements, or recurring flooding. But over time, small soil and clay grains slip through the holes in the landscape fabric and slowly accumulate inside the pipe, causing French drains to clog. This can cause water to overflow or backflow through the pipes and into the home.
Another common cause of French drain clogs is root penetration from grass, shrubs, and trees. Because the drain contains moisture, plant roots invade the pipe in search of water. If you have a French drain installed at home, you need to know the causes and remedies for clogged drains.
How to French Drain Clean Out?
For a French drain cleanout, check if you are actually dealing with a drain clog. For that, check a hole on the ground surface where the drain starts. If you’re unsure where it starts, start by looking at the high points of your yard because the drain uses gravity to flow water downward. After finding where the drain starts, run some water down it. You can use a garden hose to send water through the drainage.
If you notice that water is backing up instead of flowing down the drain, that’s a sign that your French drain is clogged. To make your drain functional again, you will need to remove the clog; you can use a water presser for this.
Clean French Drain with Pressure Washer
The easiest way to clean a French drain is to use a pressure washer; in this system, the washer sends water down the drain at extremely high pressure to help break up the clog. If the clog is not solid, slowly break the clog with a pressure washer until the water clears the drain.
You should aim the water towards the bottom of the drainage to remove the clog. Doing this will make it easier to get rid of the clog. Remember to move the pressure washer around to clean the pipe on the sides. This method is simple and will not damage the pipes, and it is recommended to use it once a year.
Unclog French Drain by Electric Drain Snake
If the clogs are very stubborn, then you may need an electric drain snake. Pressure washing is a light-duty method and won’t damage pipes, but it’s often not enough to get through stubborn clogs. These machines have powerful motors that smash anything that comes in their way.
Electric drain snakes are inserted into blocked drainage. It stops moving further down the drainage after reaching the clog. Once it stops moving, gently press it onto the clog. Doing so will loosen or break the clog.
Use a pressure washer and an electric drain snake both to remove the French drain clog completely.
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Cost to Clean French Drain
It is recommended to know the cost of French drain cleaning before starting a French drain cleaning project. The average price you will pay for a clogged French drain cleaning is between $115.00 and $510.00.
The actual cost of a French drain cleaning installation is affected by several factors, such as local labor hourly rates, material costs, and any local permits required for a French drain cleaning project. Cleaning some clogged French drains yourself using household items or renting tools.
French Drain Maintenance
French drains can be a great way to divert rainwater runoff from your yard and foundation, so maintaining your French drain to manage your runoff properly is an important part of home ownership. They require annual maintenance to keep them clean and functioning properly.
French drain maintenance requires you to ensure that your drains are cleaned regularly. The longer you let debris build up inside, the closer it will be to becoming a full clog and the more difficult it will be when you try to clean it out. If you notice the drainage slowing down at any point, that is also a good sign that you should check the drains.
Cleaning French drains can be a DIY project, provided you have the right tools and know how to use them. If you don’t have the right tools, a professional has the right tools to clean your french drains and remove any tree root obstructions.
In addition to regularly cleaning the drain, you can also take steps to prevent debris from reaching it. Watch your home’s water flow, keep the yard clear of debris, so it doesn’t run into the drain, and regularly clean the area around the drain to keep it working as well as possible.
Snake a French Drain
French drain cleaning can be a DIY project, and it’s a good idea to clean it annually. If your French drain has stubborn clogs, French drain cleaning with an electric drain snake is the best option. Electric drain snakes are available for rent at home improvement centers, hardware stores, and tool rental facilities.
When renting an electric drain snake, look for a machine with a 3/4-inch spring-wound cable. If you’re unsure how long your French drain is, rent a machine with a 100-foot cable to be on the safe side. Follow the steps below to clean a French drain with a drain snake.
- First of all, put on hard leather gloves before cleaning the drain. Which will provide safety while cleaning your hands.
- Open the lid of the French drain. If the French drain is connected to the downspout, you will need to remove the downspout from the drain entry point.
- Turn on the plumbing snake and run its cable into the French drain.
- When the snake cable hits an obstruction or bends in the drain, hold it as the snake twists in the pipe. Once the snake clears the blockage or bends in the drain, gently move the snake forward into the drain.
- Continue feeding the snake into the pipe until it reaches the other side of the pipe. Allow the snake to turn into the drain as it finds resistance against drains, tree roots, and other obstacles.
- When the cable comes out easily on the other side, ensure the French drain clog is removed and feed the snake back into its device.
- Spray a powerful jet of water into the drain using a garden hose, which will help flush any debris out of the drain.
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Do French Drains Get Clogged?
French drains are the best solution for the most common homeowner problems like wet lawns, wet driveways, wet basements, or recurring flooding. But over time, small soil and clay grains slip through the holes in the landscape fabric and slowly accumulate inside the pipe, causing French drains to clog.
How to Unclog French Drain?
If you notice water backing up instead of flowing down the drainage system, that’s a sign that your French drain is clogged. To make your drain functional again, you will need to remove the clog; For which you can unclog your French drain by following two methods.
- By water pressure washer
- Electric drain snake
How French Drains Get Clogged with Mud?
When French drains need to be buried deep, the groundwater that passes through them can contain sediment and accumulate. Additionally, heavy rains can cause soil erosion which can cause muddy water to enter French drains. Both of these reasons can cause french drains to clog over time and cause water to overflow or back up.
How French Drains Get Clogged with Roots?
Because of the moisture in the drain, the plant’s roots thrive in the rich environment underground, and they invade the pipe in search of water, which can enter pipes through cracks in pipes or imperfectly sealed joints, causing French drain clogs. Once roots grow large enough to block pipes and cause drainage problems, removing them can be expensive.
French Drain Clogged with Leaves
In autumn, leaves fall from the tree to the ground and begin to move with the wind. Along with the air, these leaves can move closer to your French drain and enter the drains. Leaves can collect in the pipes in the drain and clog the drain causing flooding. If it is not removed in time, the leaves rot and may also leave a foul smell.
How Much Does French Drain Cleaning Cost?
Knowing the cost of French drain cleaning before starting a French drain cleaning project is recommended. The average price you will pay for a clogged French drain cleaning is between $115.00 and $510.00.
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