Blocked downpipe clearing

Just after a few ideas for what could be used to unblock downpipes when clearing gutters.

I did one this morning and whilst at the top of the ladder I thought there must be a way to do this from the ground.

I use progutter tools from the ground and love them but just wondered if any of you guys have a way to unblock the downpipes.

I was thinking of possibly using an electricians cable fishing kit but don't think they would be flexible enough

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I use a thick bike lock (the armored cable type) its flexy and also use it to lock the ladders on top of the van in addition to rhino clamps. £20 from screwfix i think it was. If that dont work and its solidly filled with muck i just pull the joints apart. I have had to remove and re-fit whole downpipes that were blocked from top to bottom. 3 meter long sausage shaped mud mass slid out the bottom it was a great experience. If its cast iron downpipe & blocked all the way down i just leave it to plumbers, theres no way im getting angle grinders out to cut through cast brackets etc


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If you can get at the bottom you can use push rods, commonly used for drains. 

Or a drain snake auger up it works.

Or flooding it with water, attaching to the end of your vac pole a thinner vacuum pole to go down the pipe. I sometimes wrap and tie a wet cloth around the extension so when it does into the pipe it improves suction and if possible block the bottom of the down pipe again with a wet cloth to help with suction. 

Sometimes it’s quicker to take the down pipe to bits but if you don’t use ladders I’ve used this with great success - it would be quite difficult on a restricted access downpipe but the wire is very malleable



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@Part Timer
Are the drain rods flexible to go round the Dogleg bits?

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If easy to take the elbow part out this is best. If not l use chimney cleaning rods to push it down and flush it with water hose. I would cover the drain hole to avoid the dirt going in the drain.

Corps012588 said:

@Part Timer
Are the drain rods flexible to go round the Dogleg bits?

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If they are cast iron then I've personally always managed to clear them. If they are plastic and badly blocked then you will need to get up and dismantle them.