How to fix storm water downpipe overflowing?

[Mac4]

Hi,

I had my roof gutters cleaned by a professional service about a month ago, and they confirmed that all the downpipes were clear. However, after today's heavy rain, I noticed that two of the downpipes are overflowing from the drain.

I drilled out the small rivet on the bend of the downpipe to open the stormwater downpipe adapter and check for any clogs, but I couldn't open it.

Could you please advise on what might be causing the overflow and how to open the downpipe adapter? 

Thank you, Mac.

drilled small rivet to open adapter.

[EricL · Accepted solution]

Hello @Mac4 

In order to move your downpipe, it will be necessary to unscrew the downpipe clamps holding the downpipe to the walls. Once the clamps are off you can then move and lift the downpipe itself. It's highly probable that debris has entered your stormwater drain and is blocking the water from getting out. If the blockage was caused by the cleaners, I suggest giving them a call so that they can rectify the issue. But if you wish to try and repair the blockage yourself, I suggest using a Kinetic 6mm x 7.6m Wire Toilet Auger. Please note that excessive force can damage the side wall of your storm drain so please use with care. 

However, if the blockage is too far down the drain, I suggest engaging the services of a licensed plumber. They will have the necessary tools to reach the blockage.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Mac4]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply, @EricL 

I tried your suggestion to unscrew the downpipe clamps, but I'm not sure how to open this type of screw. Could you please advise on how to do it?

As I mentioned earlier, I drilled out the rivets on the downpipe bend to open the adapter, but I couldn't get it open. Now I need to put the screws back in place, so could you please let me know which type of screw would fit?

Thank you.

Mac.

downpipe clamps

[JacobZ]

Hi @Mac4,

I'm not sure why they make the heads look how they do, but these are not actually screws, they are hammer in expansion anchors that are very similar to these Ramset 6 x 42mm EasyDrive Masonry Anchors. To remove them, as you did with the rivets, you'll have to drill them out. You can then replace them with an anchor similar to the one I've linked to above that fits in the hole.

Replacing the rivets with screws is not possible. You will have to replace them with a similarly sized rivet.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Mac4]

Hi, @JacobZ  and @EricL 

I bought the Ramset 6 x 42mm, rivet gun as you suggested. Pincer pliers to pull out the expansion screw. I successfully removed it from the downpipe clamps. However, I am still struggling to take it out of the downpipe adapter (https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-100-x-50-x-90mm-pvc-stormwater-downpipe-adaptor_p4770382), and my main goal is to check whether it is blocked.

I tried pulling up the downpipe to remove it from the drain adapter, but it’s not moving up from the eaves. 

Could you please advise on how to proceed or suggest any tips to make the removal easier?

Thanks,

Mac

[JacobZ]

Hi @Mac4,

You're going to have to find a way to lift the pipe up into the eaves. 

If you lift the pipe up towards the eave, is there any movement at all?

Do you have any way to inspect the inside of the eaves? 

It's possible there is something connecting the pipe inside the eave that is preventing movement.

Is there an inspection point or manhole? Perhaps you have a tiled roof, so you can shift a tile to see what is in the eave.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob