Down Spout not draining properly

[denniskathyb]

Down Spouts:
My house was built in 2004, I bought it in 2008. The down spouts connect to pipe that goes under ground then reemerges out in the lawn where the water is expelled. During heavy rain the pipe (which is connected to down spout) is unable to handle the amount of water and the water backs up and comes out of the down spout at the connection to the pipe.

Question:

Assuming the pipe is partially plugged, can one clean it out with a wet-dry vac?

Should I just forget the underground connection and extend my down spout to dump onto the driveway?

Is what is going on normal, practical, and I should leave it alone?

[graciegirl]

Down Spouts:
My house was built in 2004, I bought it in 2008. The down spouts connect to pipe that goes under ground then reemerges out in the lawn where the water is expelled. During heavy rain the pipe (which is connected to down spout) is unable to handle the amount of water and the water backs up and comes out of the down spout at the connection to the pipe.

Question:

Assuming the pipe is partially plugged, can one clean it out with a wet-dry vac?

Should I just forget the underground connection and extend my down spout to dump onto the driveway?

Is what is going on normal, practical, and I should leave it alone?

That happens to us during a drenching rain. If you wait an hour, the sandy soil wicks it away. Poof!

[dewilson58]

or try using a running garden hose thru it........a little rotor rooter action.

[wisbad1]

or try using a running garden hose thru it........a little rotor rooter action.
I used my leaf blower to clean them

[villagetinker]

I had the exact same problem. Turned out the pop-up drains in the lawn were covered over with grass. Once I found them I removed to raise these up and found LOTS of grass routs had intruded into the pipes in this area. I took several minutes of hand digging to remove roots and clean out the pipes. Working much better now.

[dtennent]

I had the exact same problem. Turned out the pop-up drains in the lawn were covered over with grass. Once I found them I removed to raise these up and found LOTS of grass routs had intruded into the pipes in this area. I took several minutes of hand digging to remove roots and clean out the pipes. Working much better now.

I have to trim the grass away from the pop up drain twice a year. If they are completely covered, you might have to put the hose down the down spout and run the water for a few minutes. Look for the wet area in your lawn to find the drain. Once I removed the overgrowth, the drain worked much better.