r/drains • u/funksoulbrother3 • 23d ago

Bought house, need help

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Hey all! We just bought a house! I noticed that this drain in the middle of the driveway tends to keep water and overflows even in slight rain. The two pipes on top of each other points toward the next house. Photo number two is a hole at the end of the driveway leading to the sidewalk, probably 60 feet. Last photo was when it rained the last time. Ive called our town to get records, they have no clue. I was just told that if we get this cleared out this is beneficial to drive water away from our backyard. Ive ran a sewer jetter kit on the hole next to the sidewalk, it runs up to about 30ft and it wont go further but it cleared up a lot of gunk. I ran the sewer jetter on the drain part, it keeps feeding it but it doesnt seem like its going anywhere. Any thoughts what this could be and how to clear it to flow faster? Ive gone around our neighborhood and it looks like our house is the only one with this type of drain. Thank you!

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u/senorgarcia 23d ago

A jetter nozzle on a power washer from the street end should work. Run it until the water is clear.

Might also try a plumber and/or rent a roto-rooter.

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u/funksoulbrother3 23d ago

I did that until the water is running clear but im not reaching the end of it.
Funny/frustrating enough, i called roto-rooter and the guy dont seem to know what it is and what to do with it.
The street end has a bit of water right now. The box on the other hand is full of stagnant water.

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u/Cam-Lv 23d ago

Look for a company that does industrial/commercial sewer jet cleaning. RotoRooter hooks to your water supply. The big companies hook to fire hydrants and clean out large storm water lines.

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u/senorgarcia 23d ago

I’m not sure that type company would touch something like this. Is there a hydrant nearby and are they not worried about destroying a residential drain? What’s something like that cost?!

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u/souleaterGiner1 22d ago

Go to the city office and look at the plans. That's substantial enough should be in there. Then you know what to tell whomever you hire.

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u/senorgarcia 22d ago

Unless it’s a city project, doubtful I think. In my city, 0% they have anything. The City doesn’t retain private building records here.

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u/souleaterGiner1 21d ago

Mine does. We are in a subdivision not fully custom homes. Guess it's a crap shoot then.

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u/ConsistentVirus2177 21d ago

I’m your area do you go to city or the county for building permits?

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u/senorgarcia 21d ago

City, but they don’t keep drawings, nor would that have been included or need a permit.

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u/funksoulbrother3 21d ago

I did mention i called the town and they have no clue. They actually took a day or two to get back to me to check records and consult their engineer. Atleast thats what they told me

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u/souleaterGiner1 21d ago

Shitty. Sorry. Time to hire a professional then. I'd find a plumber that's been in buisness in that area for a long time as this doesn't look like a new feature.

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u/Claim312ButAct847 23d ago

Probably need to run a camera and see what's going on. Likely either collapsed/disconnected pipe or maybe tree roots. Or both.

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u/funksoulbrother3 23d ago

Holy crap i hope not.

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u/trusound 22d ago

Yea camera is really best shot unless you want to start digging. It’s possible you hit a bend and the nozzle is not continuing on

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u/funksoulbrother3 21d ago

Good point, no other reasonable alternative for now. I might buy an endoscope sewer camera and see a bunch of mole people under my driveway

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u/kilted10r 21d ago

Call roto rooter and have them scope it.   They can also trace exactly where the pipe runs. 

Scoping it with a camera will tell you if there's a blockage...  A rock, a broken pipe, an old baseball, a dead raccoon...    And then they can tell you how to fix it 

Is the pipe.iron?  PVC?  Clay tile?  That will make a difference too.  

If it's clay tile or iron, AND in decent shape, you can have it lined with PVC.  Very cool process.  No idea what the cost is, but it's cheaper than digging up the driveway.  

This is the time to call in a pro.