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Author:
Anonymous User
My house was built in the 50s, and apparently it was built with a concrete infiltration basin buried underground somewhere. I have no idea where this basin is. All of my downspouts connect to underground 4" piping that connects on to this basin. After about 2 or 3 minutes of rain, none of this lines drain anymore, and just spill on to the ground (i.e. they are clogged). Anybody have any clever ideas for fixing this problem? As I said, the lines are from the 50s, so they could even be concrete piping... I suspect I am going to have to dig at some point to fix the problem, which would mean destroying some mature landscaping.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
A plumber could insert his drain cleaning snake into one of them to see where it goes, or a "pipe locating" company can shove their detector into the pipe and trace its route.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
Have you any idea where the tubing discharges at???I would work backwards from that point.Is this rain water pumped up?pit?is the water run to a low area culvert?
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Author:
hj (AZ)
quote; Have you any idea where the tubing discharges at
THAT is what he is trying to find.
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Author:
Anonymous User
I don't know if a locating "snake" or "device" can be inserted in the pipe, as I think it is fairly clogged on some way (possibly from organic material and roof shingle grit, or roots maybe, not really sure). I am looking for the proper method to clean the pipe out I guess, which would mean a plumber's snake I suppose? I was a little worried about damaging the pipe as it is 60 years old.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
HJ.you could be an r/r guy if you find the pump with your cable!!!LOL.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
A shovel aids those that have a need to save/learn.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
That may be an "insult" but I will overlook it. It is NOT a pump, it is a receiver sump.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
What the pipe is made of is more important than its age. If it is black "Orangeburg"/tar paper pipe, then there was NEVER a time when it was safe to snake it.
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Author:
Anonymous User
So I rented a pipe snaking machine, and tried to make that clean out the pipes, but I think it is a lost cause. The pipes are so full of sediment that the auger bit just digs through, and then the sediment closes in behind it. In other words, the auger doesn't clean the sediment out which is the problem. And I mean the pipes are completely full of sediment. I guess the developer that built the house didn't fully understand the need for a sediment trap, or manhole access to the sump. I'm guessing the whole system is shot (i.e. filled with sediment). I think the cheapest and easiest thing to do now is build a new system that discharges to various smaller sumps on the property. Thanks for everyone's advice.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
One criteria for snaking ANY sewer or drain, is that the material HAS to have somewhere to flow to. You cannot just bore into it and expect it to disappear. You need to know WHERE the line goes to and make sure that point is free flowing so the water and debris you loosen can flow away.
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