Gutter unclogging

After searching the only thing I’m finding is sewer hose and a jet nozzle. Any other tricks for unclogging?

In the past I would adjust the ball valve to push out a little pressure and just drop in down the gutter spout. Instant sewer jetter.

2 Likes

I’ve used a drill attached rooter with good success. Just keep water running into it while you are stabbing the line.

2 Likes

We carry a drill on our trailer with basic bits etc. Doesn’t need to be a fancy $200 dewalt. Just enough to unscrew the screws and not worry about dropping it or getting it muddy. Harbor freight has cheap ones.

So sometimes we need to unscrew the elbow @ the gutter downspout and that allows us to tap out or flush any debris that was jammed in there. OR, we take the handle off of a 5 gallon bucket, and break up the debris in there and then flush it with water.

Thanks, I’ve done this up until now and it’s always worked. Just looking to have a back up plan. I’ve ran into a few of them that run underground, which seems like a good idea until it gets clogged.

@SchertzServicesLLC that’s a good idea. I’d be curious to see which performs better in a jam.

1 Like

My 5 year old decided to try and flush about 1/2 a roll of TP one time and it got stuck. I tried and tried to plunge it and wouldn’t go. Went to menards and they had this deal. I bought it along with a drill attached cleaner. The clog was too deep for the drill attachment (25 foot or better) so I stuck this bad boy in the toilet and it blew it out. I actually thought I was having a septic problem and I had removed the lid. I went out and a HUGE pile of TP was sitting on top right by the entry pipe. The one I found here on amazon says it clears 4-6 inch pipes. I would bet my right shoe that it will unclog an underground pipe. (PS… I had to google about 16 different poo related terms before I tracked down what I was looking for)

https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-333-Cleaning-Attachment/dp/B0018OQEWA/ref=pd_bxgy_60_img_2/142-1899688-1842969?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0018OQEWA&pd_rd_r=fa78870a-5096-11e9-b66c-7d8439b03073&pd_rd_w=piBJY&pd_rd_wg=SqDMn&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=XB6VSPCHD2C0T8DV6591&psc=1&refRID=XB6VSPCHD2C0T8DV6591

2 Likes

I think that thing is definitely worth trying! I’ve used one for years and they are awesome. It’s fun to use too. It blows up real big like a balloon so make sure you’re holding it in with a little muscle. It then starts pulsating and blasting water down the pipe.

I bet the only way it wouldn’t work is if leaves and twigs are jam packed in there real tight. If it’s a newer clog it’s definitely worth trying.

Last winter we had a septic clog. I talked to the septic guy and he said he usually sees where kids use too much tp and it gets clogged up right at the baffle. (Think of a T laying on its side. The single part of the T is the line running to the house and the top and bottom of the T feed the septic tank.) He told me to use a sweeper nozzle for a garden hose and a hose. I ran it down the pipe until I could feel it hitting the clog. I just kept moving it back and forth and the whole clog eventually pushed through within a minute or two. The clog was just too far down for the balloon thing to work. The sweeper nozzle method might also work on gutters as long as it’s not jam packed in there but it’s the same idea as a sewer jetter except water doesn’t shoot backwards.

If you have a bunch of underground drains to deal with it might be worth adding an drain cleaner. You can get a cheap electric one for around $300 or a gas one for more. I’m not sure if they are only for pvc or if you can also use them for the black corrugated pipe. They have a bunch of different tips so I would think they would have one safe for the corrugated.

drain%20cleaner

1 Like

Decisions decisions. Now I’m not sure what to get. I’ll definitely get this at $25 and it’s ease of use. Space efficient as well.

1 Like

@SchertzServicesLLC I had to laugh when I read about you searching google and the poo related terms…I found out about the bladders by an old plumber that told me to and I quote" just get you a donkey d_ck to clean out that drain"…it took lots of googling and I saw some things that I never want to speak of again.LOL…from that day forward my guys have always called it a donkey D_ck…

5 Likes

3 rules of a true plumber:
■■■■ never flows uphill
Hot water is on the left
Never chew your fingernails

7 Likes

https://pressuretek.com/s-s-sewer-nozzle-3-8-fpt/

Thinking about just ordering this 3/8 version and hook it up to some stiff 2 wire hose.

1 Like

I’m curious about those as well. From what I understand, an actual sewer jetting machine is a little different from a pressure washer. It is more of a pulsating water jet. But you’ve already got a big pressure washer. Just kind of makes sense, right? But I haven’t seen too many reviews on how it actually works. In general, for stuff like this, you’ll come out ahead if you just refer it to a plumber while you go and wash the next house.

I know they work good on fire trucks for blasting out colverts! But it’s a 2-3 man job!

I watched a few YouTube videos on using them for gutters. Looks like the best options. Just control it with an in-line ball valve. The YouTube videos are using 1/4 with the gun as controller.

Harold I’m not a plumber but I did own a septic and drain cleaning company for many years back in the 80s and 90s before moving to Florida. I hope you get the clogged gutter resolved but just a few things to think about as you are looking at options. If the problem is leaves and debris like that the jetter probably will open the line. However there maybe roots in that line that started collecting the leaves until it plugged. Trees in the vicinity? You would need the cable machine that marinegrunt mentioned. Two bits of caution with those machines. DO NOT use a cable any smaller than 1/2" if it is a 4 inch drain line. Anything smaller could double back on you and knot up and become stuck!!! We typically used 5/8" cable on 4" lines. DO NOT wear brown jersey gloves when feeding the cable in! Heavy work gloves. When the cable gets to a blockage it starts to build torque and the helicals will open up slightly and pinch the jersey gloves when torque is released and you could easily hurt fingers, hand etc. if you don’t let off the air switch in time. Definitely wear eye protection especially if you rent one from the hardware store. Those cables have been in sewers with all kinds of harsh drain cleaners and the cables can be weak and snap without a lot of torque! A competitor and friend of mine from a nearby town lost his eye from a cable machine.

@instock I believe you were asking about PWs and sewer jetters. We are using some of the very same pumps pressure washing as on the sewer jetters. I had a Spartan trailer mounted sewer jetter that if I remember correctly has the same cat pump as my pressure washer. As you guys all know well the PW industry uses different tips, nozzles and orifice sizes to complete different types of jobs. The same holds true for sewer jetters. We used different nozzles and orifice sizes depending on pipe size etc. the pulsating jetters are for small inside drains like sinks. The pulsating just helps it negotiate the P traps and 90s in the lines.

Wow I’ve really rambled here! I hope this helps Harold. Let us know the outcome. In closing just one of our old sewer cleaning industry jokes. " It may be SH-- to you but its bread and butter to me"

I would be curious to hear any PW industry jokes. Maybe another thread.

2 Likes

I use a tip like that to clean pool deck drains, add on service.

4 Likes

Is that 1/4 hose or did you use a reducer to use 3/8 on the nozzle of the gun?

That’s 3/8 hose

Looks good. That’s what I was thinking of doing. I’m adding it to my shopping cart now.

this fitting then 3/8 QC with the 3/8 sewer jet nozzle on the end.

Never even crossed my mind for the pool drain upsell. I’ve been asked to unclog a few drains. I ended up sticking my ball valve down them and getting what I could but I’m sure this method will do a better job.

1 Like