How do outside drains work?

Author: Edwin Schimmel  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Outdoor drains are rather simple. They allow water from rain and other sources to filter down through drain pipes and onto the sewers. It puts all the extra water back into natural water sources. Your landscaping or plumbing company can add perforated drains to your yard.

How does an outdoor drain work?

A yard drainage system is designed to direct water away from areas where it can cause flooding and damage. The most common type works by redirecting excess water into drainage pipes, usually located around the perimeter of your yard.

Can I unblock an outside drain myself?

A great way to clear a blockage without using chemicals is to use a hose or pressure jet to force the obstruction through the pipe. To do this, you should first clear the drain as much as possible using your hands or tools and then scoop out the water to a manageable level.

Do outside drains always have water in them?

If you see water in your outside drain, you have a clogged or blocked drain. This blockage could be caused by leaves, soil, dirt, grease, mud, twigs, or other debris accumulated in the drain.

Where do outside drains go?

Outside drains flush water from a home into the lateral drains in the road. Your home may have a kitchen drain mounted near the kitchen's outside wall, which is the usual culprit if you notice a blockage. Some homes also have a larger drain in a front garden that flushes wastewater from showers, baths and toilets.

DIY Fix For a Blocked Drain or Gully Outside

Who is responsible for outside drains?

Generally speaking, you're usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are usually outside of property boundaries, and sewers. Although most sewers are now publicly owned, there are still some private or unadopted sewers.

Does shower water go to the sewer?

Once you shower or bathe, the water that is used does not disappear – instead, it begins a journey through your home's plumbing. Different parts of the plumbing system must work together in order to deliver the used water away from your house and into a larger sewage system.

How often should outdoor drains be cleaned?

Outdoor Box Drains & Your Yard

This debris should be cleaned out 1 – 2 times per season depending on how much debris you have moving into the drain. Open the grate of each box drain (this usually involving taking out a few screws) and clean out any debris that may be in there.

Where does an outdoor sink drain to?

Connecting your outdoor kitchen sink directly to the sewer line is often the go-to choice for many homeowners. It's ideal if your outdoor kitchen is close to your home's existing plumbing system.

Do plumbers deal with outside drains?

Blocked drain outside: DIY fix

If you're at all in doubt, call a professional plumber or drainage expert who will have the tools to unblock the drain quickly and efficiently. Don't attempt anything you're not sure about.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

Why does my outside drain keep getting blocked?

There are many reasons: Leaves covering the grid or inside the drain. Food waste, fat or oil from the kitchen sink.

Why is toilet paper coming out of the outside drain?

If you are connected to a septic tank, and you have a blockage in the drain between the house and your septic tank, your toilet paper will overflow through one of your external gully traps.

Can you use a drain snake on an outside drain?

To unblock an outside drain, you may need specific equipment such as a plumber snake, drain snake, auger, drain rods, pressure hose and hydro jet blasters. High-pressure water jets are also perfect for drain clearing and the toughest drain blockage.

What is the drain outside my house called?

A sewer drain , also known as a house sewer, is a mandatory part of any home's.

Where does water from outside drains go?

In many cities, rain flows into storm sewers, beginning an underground journey, down the drain and to the stream. So, be careful, since anything you put in your yard, street or storm drain will flow directly to a river or lake in your community.

Do I need a p-trap for an outdoor sink?

So remember if you're connecting from the house then you will need a p-trap on the outdoor sink so that you don't inhale sewer gas from the house while cooking your favorite steak.

Should there be water sitting in outside drain?

When looking in the drain, there should be flowing water and no visible signs of blockage. A blockage can be identified if the water in the drain is blocked and not flowing. Outside drains are often blocked up with leaves and other types of debris and dirt.

How do you clean a clogged outside drain?

Baking soda and vinegar react to create a thick, frothy mixture that dissolves organic blockages. Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar in the drain pipe, leave for at least 30 minutes, then run hot water through the drain to clear the last vestiges of blockages.

How many years does a sewer line last?

Generally speaking, you're going to find that most main sewer lines will only last somewhere between 50 and 100 years before you need to do a main sewer line replacement. You could very well have a broken sewer line on your hands right now and not even realize it.

Do you have to be a plumber to clean drains?

There are some licenses you can earn based on the position you are interested in, such as the Unrestricted Drain Cleaners License; however, most states do not require a plumbing license to clean drains.

Do toilets and showers share the same drain?

In modern constructions, local building codes often demand a more separate approach to drainage systems. This means that a toilet and shower typically have their dedicated drain lines and should not share the same pipe.

Does laundry water go to sewer?

Most clothes washers pump dirty water out of the drain hose and usually into a sink with an open drain. Sometimes, the hose is loosely connected to a larger diameter pipe which is attached to a u-shaped trap and then to the sewer.

How often should I empty my septic tank?

Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.

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