7 Steps To Clear A Blocked Downpipe

Brisbane’s wet season can turn a quiet drizzle into a devastating deluge – and a blocked downpipe is the last thing you need on top of all that when the rain is hammering your roof.

What are downpipes again?

They’re those pipes connecting the gutters with the ground. They brilliantly channel water from your gutters to the ground when they’re working just right – but when they clog, trouble is ahead!

Then, you’ll be dealing with overflowing gutters, water pooling near your home’s foundation, and more. In our predictably super-wet subtropical climate, debris like leaves and silt simply love to pile up to give you a massive headache.

In our exclusive guide, our Brisbane drain plumbing team put our heads together to give you 7 super-simple and practical ways to tackle any and every blocked downpipe. No pro tools will be required as you keep your home dry, safe, and drama-free.

Why Brisbane downpipes block up at all

Downpipes don’t clog just to give you a headache – although we understand that you have a brain-clanger right now! Actually, it’s a mix of nature and neglect. Let’s explain:

Brisbane’s usual storms dump an average of 140mm of rain in March alone – and that’s a lot, by the way. It washes:

• Twigs
• Leaves
• Mud

…And a lot of other gunk into your super-important gutters – and downpipes. Older Queenslander homes, with their rust-prone metal downpipes, are really prime targets. If you just ignore this kind of thing, a simple blocked pipe can result in the spilling of water where it definitely doesn’t belong – just think damp, destroyed walls or hopelessly eroded soil.

So, let’s zoom in on how to unblock downpipes and keep the flow going.

Downpipe dilemmas: 7 steps to clear a blocked downpipe

Ready to ditch the clog? These 7 steps will show you how to clear downpipes with stuff you’ve likely got at home:

1. Spot the blockage

A blocked downpipe is rarely shy to show itself to the world – and you! Water freely overflows from those backed-up gutters, or pools at the base during rain.

SOLUTION:

• Look up!
• If water’s not flowing out the bottom, you’ve got a clog
• Start with a visual check to pinpoint trouble – early.

2. Flush with a hose

Leaves and dirt jam the top of the downpipe with predictable trouble, stopping the flow in a major way.

SOLUTION:

• Grab your usual garden hose
• Blast water down from the gutter end.

Can you get the pressure high enough? The answer is ‘probably not’, but if you’ve managed to restore your property to full functionality, then here’s our message – Well done!

If not, you probably need pressure of an order of magnitude that you can barely imagine – perfect for how to clean downpipes without climbing. However, for this, you’ll need to make a call to a local pro.

3. Tap & shake

Gross debris sticks halfway down that downpipe – out of your reach. And even out of your garden hose’s reach, for that matter!

SOLUTION:

• Gently tap the pipe with a broom handle
• Or maybe give it a shake!

This will loosen all that gunk to hopefully unblock downpipe from ground level. In any event, it’s worth a shot.

4. Use a  drain snake

Stubborn clogs, caused by things like twigs, silt, and other gunk – can often simply refuse to budge, no matter what you do.

SOLUTION:

• Feed your cheap drain snake from a hardware store
• Do it from the bottom up.
• Twist
• Pull
• And clear that mess in minutes!

If it works, that’s an easy how to clear blocked downpipe method. So congratulations to you!

5. Vinegar soak for rust

Rust, grime, or other clog-worthy gross stuff tends to build up, particularly in old pipes, but even in more modern plumbing situations. No matter what property you’re living in, your downpipe flow has narrowed in a devastating way.

SOLUTION:

• Pour a litre of white vinegar down the pipe
• Let it sit for 15 minutes
• Flush with water.

It might read like a cheap trick for how to unblock downpipes, but trust us – it really works for a lot of minor clog situations!

6. Check the bend

Downpipe clogs simply love that plumbing elbow – exactly where the pipe makes a sharp turn. If you listen to the real experts, you’d be stunned to know common it is in Brisbane’s heritage homes, but modern builds are also not immune, as we find that the latest property designs cut so many corners.

SOLUTION:

• Disconnect the bend (if possible)
• Clear it by hand or with your garden hose.
• Reattach
• Now test.

Is your downpipe flow restored? Great! If not, read on.

7. Prevention beats cure

Problem: Clogs keep coming back, especially in wet seasons.
Solution: Install gutter guards ($20 at Bunnings) or trim overhanging branches. It’s the ultimate unblock downpipe hack.

When it’s time to call the professionals

A lot of the downpipe clogs we attend could have been dealt with if the property owner had been a little more attentive – and these 7 fixes should work a treat. However:

• Is the water still not flowing?
• Is it possible that the pipe is cracked?
• Do you have the feeling that your DIY has hit its limit?

Do you have the feeling that you’re dealing with a particularly deep, or particularly complex downpipe blockage? If that’s the case, you’ll need:

• Pro drain cleaning tools
• Deep knowledge
• Extensive experience.

Those troublesome downpipe clogs will need hydro-jets and the latest CCTV drain inspection camera technology. However, rust-eaten pipes at your place can require full replacement, with the first step being a deep, close, CCTV-camera aided inspection to figure out what on earth is going on. Once we have all that, we can fix your problem affordably with minimal disruption – at an affordable price.

Downpipes done right

With our helpful 7 steps, you’ve got all the know-how you need to learn how to clear downpipes – and keep Brisbane’s intense rains under full control. A clear downpipe means dry foundations and happy gutters – more than worth the extra effort when the next storm rolls in, don’t you think?

Downpipe still down? Call the experts

Simply can’t shift that stubborn blocked downpipe? Brisbane Drain Cleaning and our friendly, fully licensed stormwater drainage solutions team is always right here 24/7 with all the latest equipment and years of experience to absolutely master how to clear blocked downpipe issues – FAST! Reach out today.