Clearing blocked downspouts

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cddt

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#322880 3-Oct-2025 09:07

So I'm pretty sure one of our downspouts is blocked (gutters overflow pretty quickly even in moderate rain, very little water seems to be coming out the other end). I'm imagining I need some kind of snake to clear it - like a giant pipe cleaner? Whatever I am searching for, I can't find the right piece of equipment. Any ideas?

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gzt

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#3420866 3-Oct-2025 09:15

Have you seen the inlet and gutter at the top?

dimsim

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#3420867 3-Oct-2025 09:21

there's usually a build-up at the inlet and the angled piece immediately underneath, there's rarely any blockage in the long vertical pipe, other than possibly build up at the bottom, depending on how it exits to waste.

I usually use a short length of garden hose to jiggle around in the inlet and push down into the angled piece, a few jiggles and you'll hear it all release and flush away.

Jase2985

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#3420875 3-Oct-2025 09:39

Search drain auger or drain snake

k1w1k1d

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#3420886 3-Oct-2025 10:08

Pick out leaves etc from the top and then flush out with water from a hose. Make sure there is a grill in the drainpipe at the bottom to catch as much debris as possible.

Dynamic

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#3420901 3-Oct-2025 10:57

A gutter cleaning wand like this can be a big help. There are shorter versions. Be prepared to get rather wet.

Gutter Boss | Extendable Gutter Cleaner 4.1m | Mitre10

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Bung

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#3420908 3-Oct-2025 11:08

Often rainheads are used to allow for gutter expansion. The gutter(s) may have moved so there's only a small gap above the down pipe. You may have to move the gutter in its hangers back where it started.

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gzt

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#3420911 3-Oct-2025 11:10

cddt: So I'm pretty sure one of our downspouts is blocked (gutters overflow pretty quickly even in moderate rain, very little water seems to be coming out the other end).

A gutter filled with debris at one or more points can have that exact effect without any real blocking of the downpipe. An attempt to unblock the downpipe is still worth a go.

The slinkies I've seen are designed to go down not up. I don't recall seeing any ridgid enough to work from the bottom up. A hose is relatively easy for that if it goes around the bends.

cddt

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#3421013 3-Oct-2025 15:47

Thanks for all the feedback. Sorry I wasn't more explicit - the gutters themselves are already clear, and well maintained, there is no visible blockage. I am thinking it's either in the bend as it heads under the eaves or the bend when it goes vertical again.

Given the location and proximity to a tree, it's also possible an avocado ended up down there.

Will start off the hose tomorrow (too wet to get up there today) and see how that goes.

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Goosey

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#3421680 5-Oct-2025 08:05

This is easier than you think.

the blockage will be at the bottom of the downpipe.

how much clearance between the bottom of the pipe before the drain “grate”?

carfully unscrew the clips, both screws on each clip…

push the pipe up and pull out….

(there’s gonna be a gush of water, like serious amount to the point where you think it’s spurting up from the ground so wear clothes and shoes you are happy to get wet and yuk).

clear pipe with hose,

re attach pipe.

Goosey

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#3421681 5-Oct-2025 08:06

Further to the above, you ahould then find it was filled with general muck, stones, maybe even a kids toy or a ball.

edit, probally avocado pips/stones !

Bung

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#3421688 5-Oct-2025 09:38

cddt:

Thanks for all the feedback. Sorry I wasn't more explicit - the gutters themselves are already clear, and well maintained, there is no visible blockage. I am thinking it's either in the bend as it heads under the eaves or the bend when it goes vertical again.

Given the location and proximity to a tree, it's also possible an avocado ended up down there.

How is the downpipe routed under the soffit? Is it 2 x 95⁰ bends or 2 x 45⁰s? The right angles tuck in neater but inevitably are easier to get blockages in.

Once in the straight pipe it's usually only a problem if you don’t want the rubbish going into a storage tank or soak pit.