The bottom was behind a bush, my wife noticed the bricks behind the pipe were dark from wetness over time. The weight of the pipe had pulled it down from the extension at the top and water was draining onto the house. I’ve elevated the bottom of the pipe, pulled out the roots that have begun growing into the bottom, and I’ve poured hot water down the gutter from the roof to loosen and melt whatever dirt I could … but it’s still ‘plump’ from the middle of the drain pipe to the bottom. Any ideas ??
A combination of roof shingle fines and airborne dust/leaves has accumulated in the downspout. There are quite a few feet of it since it was heavy enough to separate at the top. If you live in an area where it freezes this material has frozen, expanded and either opened the manufacturers seal or has cracked the tube. In either case you must replace the tube – not worth cutting out the cracked section, if you could find it, since new tubing usually is sold in 8-10 foot lengths.
If you are certain the material has not frozen then try pushing a hose into the tube FROM THE BOTTOM- not the top. The material will dislodge slowly at first and then in a rushing mass. Water in the top simple compacts the material and can make it very difficult if not impossible to clear the tube.
I had to do this to a drain pipe inside the house… it would probably just be best to cut out the bad section and replace it with new pipe. Saves a LOT of headache.
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good answer linc.
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only thing you can do is get pressure nozzle on hose and cock it in pipe so itll stay on its own it will soften and come thru, may take awhile but it works. i know ive did it. be sure and open faucet all the way.
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A combination of roof shingle fines and airborne dust/leaves has accumulated in the downspout. There are quite a few feet of it since it was heavy enough to separate at the top. If you live in an area where it freezes this material has frozen, expanded and either opened the manufacturers seal or has cracked the tube. In either case you must replace the tube – not worth cutting out the cracked section, if you could find it, since new tubing usually is sold in 8-10 foot lengths.
If you are certain the material has not frozen then try pushing a hose into the tube FROM THE BOTTOM- not the top. The material will dislodge slowly at first and then in a rushing mass. Water in the top simple compacts the material and can make it very difficult if not impossible to clear the tube.
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A garden hose. Snake it down until it hit the obstruction and turn it on. It will drill through the blockage if is all dirt.
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The hose idea is a good one but I’d remove the downspout so it would be easier to work with on the ground, just remove a few sheet metal screws. If the hose doesn’t work, take the elbows off the downspout and shove something rigid through it.
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