A clogged patio drain may cause a backup of water that can damage your home.
A patio is a place of rest and relaxation where you can gather with your family and friends to enjoy the outdoors. Most patios are built so that there is a slight tilt in the concrete that drains rain water away from the house toward a low point in the yard. A patio built next to a home that is sitting in the low point of the yard must be equipped with a drain that channels the water into an underground pipe that slopes downhill and away from the structure. Clean a clogged patio drain quickly, or you risk water damage to your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove the retaining screws that hold the drain cover in place with a screwdriver. Lift the cover free of the drain opening. Set the cover and retaining screws out of the work area until you are ready to close the drain after it has been cleaned.
2. Loosen the flat head of the retaining bolt on the bottom of the stem of your hand auger. Pull the tip of the spring-like auger bit and slide it into the patio drain. Push the auger into the drain until it hits an obstruction.
3. Tighten the retaining bolt and spin the handle on the auger body until the clog breaks free. Continue feeding the auger into the drain until it emerges from the far end of the pipe. Pull the bit out of the drain and feed it back into the body of the auger.
4. Have an assistant stand at the far end of the pipe. Insert the nozzle of your water hose into the drain. Turn on the water supply. Squeeze the trigger of the hose to force any remaining debris out of the far end of the drain pipe. Continue rinsing with the hose until your assistant tells you that the water emerging from the far end of the pipe is clean and debris free.
5. Place the cover back onto the opening of the drain. Spray off the patio with your water hose. Collect any debris from the operation and dispose of it in a trash bag.
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