Clogged patio drain

[brianl0646]

The drain on my patio is clogged and drains very slowly. Picture of drain It gets filled with pine needles and leaves, they decompose and turn into a sludge. I usually have a screen over it, but that doesn't seem to help much. In a heavy rain it overflows, water goes down the stairs, overflows the drain there and pours into my basement. I do my best to keep it clear but it is a never ending battle. What is the best way to clean it out? It has a sharp bend, so its hard to get anything in to scour it out. I can't get my arm in there, I have tried compressed air, drano, water, snake. Are there vacuums they use to clear these? Any ideas on how I can clean it out myself? We have had an amazing amount of rain here in Seattle and I am getting tired of a flooded basement. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Brian in Seattle, Wa USA

[Tony McC]

Not sure what's available over there, Brian, but I seem to recall hearing about a roto-rooter (sp?) that is sent down drainage systems to clear minor blockages.

Once you get it cleared (and you might need to call out a drainage contractor) one way to prevent pine needles and similar small crap getting into the line in future is to cover the grating with a pair of old ladies tights - err, that's ladies' tights that are old, not tights belonging to old ladies, although they could be, I suppose.

Oh! just realised, I think tights are known as panty hoses in your country...Oscar Wilde...two nations divided by a common language.

Amy! Help!!!

[flowjoe]

Tony have you got any pictures of these old ladies in tights ?, possibly from one of your specialist websites