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hammer9500
Junior Member
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject: Blocked Outside Drain(Maybe Cement) |
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Hi,
I have recently moved into a new house and have noticed that one of the outside drains which takes the waste water from my bath is blocked.
On closer inspection it looks like cement (from the new paving stones) seems to have set in the drain(builders must of used it as a bin) and that the water cannot get through this. Also due to the new paving stones I have found it impossible to lift up the manhole cover to investigate further.
the paving stones were laid before I moved in so I cannot chase the builder who put them in.
My question is, should I call out an expert or do the job myself by hiring a manhole cover hydraulic lifter and trying to get to the problem?But if the problem is cement down the waste pipe then can I remove this myself or is it best left to the experts?
I do not want to hire a lifter(about £40 for a day) and then discover that I cannot unblock the drain and so have to employ a specialist anyway.
Thanks, |
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 5664
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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What type of plate is it, most domestic ones have a little handle to lift with.
You need to inspect it a bit closer and report back, but if it is cement, it will probably mean renewing the drain.
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Scruff |
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gday2uk
Junior Member
Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:33 am Post subject: |
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Unless it's a excessive manhole cover I would have thought 1 or 2 people could manage it, even with slabs on. Is it just a gulley that takes rain water as well or does the grey soil pipe disappear into the ground?
If it is a gulley you should be able to unblock it with your hands, and it would be worth trying this first. It's good practice to lift the cover to check the drain is clear but if you manage to clear it and can't remove the cover just flush through with plenty of water. |
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hammer9500
Junior Member
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
The manhole cover does have two plastic handles either side but even with two people we couldn't manage to lift it. Sand around cover has wedged it in and even though I have chiselled out as much as it still will not shift.
The drain goes straight into the ground so is not a gulley drain. The drain has been cleared as much as Possible but I need to get under the manhole cover to find out what is causing the blockage.
Thanks, |
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 5664
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Have you taped around the edge with an Hammer.
Sometimes you can get the edge of a spade and lever it, you could also make a simple lifting device (fulcrum) out of an length ot timber etc.
Are you sure it doesn't unscrew.
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8036
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| hammer9500 wrote: |
Hi,
The manhole cover does have two plastic handles either side but even with two people we couldn't manage to lift it. Sand around cover has wedged it in and even though I have chiselled out as much as it still will not shift.
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I have exactly the same cover and situation as hammer9500 - the sand has locked the cover solid and with mine one of the handles just snapped off when I continued to pull it usintg a long tool as a lever
So any ideas for him (and me  ) , keep them coming 
_________________
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. |
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 5664
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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Got any makes and models, is it round or square, plastic or metal
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Scruff |
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dewaltdisney
Senior Member
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 576
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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Just a thought on this, if the drain is blocked then the cover may be held down by suction. I was going to suggest drilling through the top to allow air in also to provide a hole to hook on to for a better purchase. You will need to fill this later but this is the least of your worries now.
DWD |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8036
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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I am posting pics of my cover as it sounds identical to Hammers.
The bit of plastic handle on top is the bit that snapped off under extreme provocation trying to lift the sod
The make:
Installed Easter 2007, jammed closed when I tried to open it this Feb for the first time. (it did open initially after the work so I am sure Hammers diagnosis of sand gripping it solid is correct)
_________________
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. |
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hammer9500
Junior Member
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Hoovie, That drain cover is exactly the same as mine even down to the plastic handles on the side.
So anyone got any ideas on how to lift it without snapping the handles?
After Hoovie's diagnosis i am not sure even a hydraulic lifter will do the job. |
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 5664
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Have you tried my last suggestion yet  |
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hammer9500
Junior Member
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:09 am Post subject: |
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| Yes I have. I chiselled out as much sand as I could. The gap is not wide and deep enough for a spade and anything else will just snap. |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8036
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: |
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I also tried that last year trying to remove as much sand as possible and levering it and got nowhere (luckily I don't have a current drainage issue!) - I don't think it is appreciated just how tight these things get stuck!!
I cannot see any solution in this situation then to remove all the paviours from the recess and then do whatever is neccesary to pull the cover up, then re-lay again - but following the advice that I have found on http://www.pavingexpert.com/recess01.htm (an excellent paving website) - pasted below
"As more and more of these recess covers are used, we have noticed that the tray has a tendency to become 'jammed' into the frame and held fast by jointing sand. To overcome this problem, we now recommend that the external edges of the tray and the internal faces of the frame are generously coated with a non-setting, thick lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, after final fixing. The jelly prevents sand grains from entering the gap between frame and tray, and makes removal of the tray that much easier."
You mentioned cement, hammer - are you in a position to remove the bricks from the recess or are they actually cemented in?
BTW - this is the 'naked' cover ....
_________________
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. |
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hammer9500
Junior Member
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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| They are cemented in. There is no way that drain is moving and so looks like I might have to bite the bullet on this one. Thanks anyway guys. |
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