Rodding Blocked Drains

Posted on July 12, 2010 by David

1. Raise manhole covers carefully. If the hand grips are missing, use an old brick bolster to lift one edge, and then slide in a piece of wood.

2. With the wood supporting one end of the cover, grasp it securely and lift it to one side. Bend from the knees so you don’t strain your back.

3. Select one of the drain rod heads (a rubber disc is being fitted here) and screw it securely onto the threaded end of the first drain rod.

4. Screw a second rod onto the end of The first, and lower the head into the half-channel in the bottom of the chamber. Push the rods towards the blockage.

5. Screw on further rods as necessary and work the head in and out to clear the blockage. Never turn the rods anticlockwise, or they may unscrew and be lost.

6. When you have cleared the blockage, hose down the sides and base of the manhole with running water, and let water run through the drain for a while.