Green Building Forum - Plumbing Rods Tue, 06 Oct 2026 02:03:08 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305943#Comment_305943 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305943#Comment_305943 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 11:47:19 +0100 Rex
I have a small drainage issue and rather than digging up, it may be cured by plumbing rods (or a long drain snake.) Have never need rods before and as this is a kinda 'one off' job, don't want to spend much.

But there is quite a range of prices, anywhere from £20 upwards. What would I be getting with a more expensive set that I don't get with a £20 set.

The particular clearance job (roots?) does not require a lot of rod bending so the risk of breaking a rod is minimal.

Thanks and toodle pip]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305944#Comment_305944 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305944#Comment_305944 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 12:25:00 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary
BTW mine are all plastic inc. the end threads.]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305945#Comment_305945 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305945#Comment_305945 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:19:57 +0100 Rex
A section of the road in front of the garden is a low point and when it rains, gets a lot of water that used to 'flood' the front garden. When we built, I installed a sump and drainage pipe to the rear woodland, all slightly downhill. From the sump, the exit pipe is 70mm flexi and around 6m further on, goes into a 100mm flexi. I don't recall how the two where 'sealed' together, but my guess is that over the past 15 years, the roots have found their way in.

The screw tool of most rod systems is around 70mm diameter, and that could cause a problem with the 70mm flexi. so I would have to shorten the prongs and I cannot do that with a hired or borrowed tool.

May decide to go with a 10m drain snake as a fist stop to try and remove the roots. Plan C will be to dig!!!!

Rod or drain snake (one or the other or even both) will certainly be less expensive than getting someone to do the job.]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305947#Comment_305947 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305947#Comment_305947 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:31:25 +0100 Jonti Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305948#Comment_305948 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305948#Comment_305948 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 17:23:58 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: RexA section of the road in front of the garden is a low point and when it rains, gets a lot of water that used to 'flood' the front garden. When we built, I installed a sump and drainage pipe to the rear woodland, all slightly downhill. From the sump, the exit pipe is 70mm flexi and around 6m further on, goes into a 100mm flexi. I don't recall how the two where 'sealed' together, but my guess is that over the past 15 years, the roots have found their way in.
Did you have this problem some time back ?? What was the fix ?]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305952#Comment_305952 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305952#Comment_305952 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:58:37 +0100 revor Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305958#Comment_305958 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305958#Comment_305958 Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:41:40 +0100 Rex
Used my 3m drain snake and did pull out a bunch of roots. Followed by my pressure washing pipe clearance thing (10 m long) that I use to flush the sewerage pipes.

At the 6m mark, could not push it any further so figure that is where the 70mm joins the 100mm and where the roots have made their home.

Ordered a 10m drain snake to see what I can do. I do realize that if I clear the pipe sufficiently, that is really only a temporary measure as the roots will return. It is not a total blockage as water does drain away, just not sufficiently fast. It has taken 15 years to get blocked, and if it is necessary to use a drain snake every year, it is not big deal.

Problem with digging is I do know the distance from the sump (6m) but left/right would be guesswork and SWMBO has things growing 'that should not be disturbed!!!' As for depth, most likely, less than one meter.

Was wondering if a hearing rod would reveal water drainage noise; or divining rod!

Regret now but at the time of building, did not take enough photos. Certainly did not think this could be a future problem.]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305959#Comment_305959 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305959#Comment_305959 Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:33:02 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: Rexor divining rod!
Or a besom and a full moon so that you can get a flypast done


Posted By: RexRegret now but at the time of building, did not take enough photos.

I have lots of experience where 20/20 hindsight has shown the error of previous happenings.]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305962#Comment_305962 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305962#Comment_305962 Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:55:39 +0100 djh Posted By: RexRegret now but at the time of building, did not take enough photos. Certainly did not think this could be a future problem.There's a very sensible rule that we followed which is to lay straight pipes between inspection points where the direction can change. I thought it was a requirement, but may be I'm wrong? We've had to re-lay two of the manholes because they weren't fitted firmly enough in place originally, but that's a minor issue.

A drain camera would show the problem. They seem to be quite cheap to buy or hire.]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305966#Comment_305966 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305966#Comment_305966 Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:27:55 +0100 Cliff Pope
I could therefore identify the position above ground of any point along the culvert, so knew where to dig reasonably acuurately. You can probably buy simple (and better) devices quite cheaply.

Don't try and clear roots with an ordinary set of rods - they are not very strong. The plastic ones are quite fragile, although the old bamboo rods with rivitted on brass ends are much tougher.]]> Plumbing Rods https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305975#Comment_305975 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18139&Focus=305975#Comment_305975 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 20:16:08 +0100 Rex
Bought a 10m drain shake and tried it today. Kinda useless as the friction of the 10m snake within the pipe means that the end does not turn. The tension starts to build and suddenly, twists itself together. Managed to retrieved it with a bit of root but nothing substantial.

Tried feeding it into the pipe to see when it goes and again, after a while. the friction means that it feels like it is encountering resistance but probably just its own weight inside the pipe.]]>