If your gullies are draining slowly or are starting to overflow, it is a clear sign that there is a blockage somewhere. A blocked gully can be hugely problematic, causing flooding that can damage your property and garden. A blockage can easily occur in a gully, due to rubbish and debris being in close proximity and water waste often containing potentially cloying substances, such as soap, hair, shampoos, grease, fat and the like.
If you experiencing problems with your wastage, Wildon UK are here to help with this guide on how to clear blocked gullies.
Note: You should never attempt to remove a blockage yourself unless you are confident in your abilities to do so. If you don’t know what you are doing, you could cause serious damage to your pipes that could be expensive and time-consuming to repair.
Tools you’ll need
If you are attempting to clear your gullies yourself, you will need to acquire the right tools for job. You will need:
- Protective glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Drain rod
- Screwdriver
- Trowel
- Hosepipe
Steps
Once you have your tools gathered and your safety wear in place to protect yourself from any gruesome mess lodged in your pipes, you can start to remove the blockage:
- Find the problem: The first step is to locate where the blockage is. If it is at the top of the gulley, where the water enters, then remove any twigs, leaves or debris that are in the way and hopefully your problem will be remedied. If the problem is deeper in the gully, it will take a bit more work to remove the blockage.
- Remove the grate: Some gullies have safety grates over the top, and if this is the case for your gully, you will need to use a screwdriver to prise the cover off. If there are leaves and debris gathered here, use a trowel to dig it all out. This may be enough to get your drain running again.
- Use a drain rod: The next step is to use a drain rod to dig around deeper in the drain and see if you can feel where the blockage is. Once you have located the problem, prodding carefully with the rod can loosen the debris and assist in breaking up the debris into manageable sizes that can flow through the pipes. However, be careful to avoid pushing the clog further down the drain.
- Hose it down: Once the debris has been dislodged or partially broken down, use a hose pipe to flush water down the gully. The water and pressure of the hose will move along any stubborn blockages.
- Add hot water: Finally, boil some water and pour it down the gully. This is useful for removing fatty substances and breaking down built-up or hardened dirt.
When to consult a professional
If you are unable to clear the blockage yourself or your gully is overflowing badly, it may be time to call in a professional service. Drainage specialists will be able to find and remove your blockage easily, no matter its location or size.
With over 20 years’ experience in dealing with sewage treatment, drainage and septic tanks, Wildon UK have built up an expertise in all aspects of the industry. We have a team of highly trained and fully accredited engineers capable of handling any installation, maintenance or repair with precision and care, and with our dedication to customer service and 24-hour emergency call-outs, we’ll be on hand to help at every stage of the process. Get in contact today to find out more.