Backyard flooding fix

[Nexus-6]

With the record amounts of rainfall lately drainage in my backyard has been horrible. I have had days where water level has reached above my ankles. The drain in my backyard which I believe goes to the same drainage system as our streets must be blocked.

I was looking online and I may try pushing my garden hose down the pipe when the water levels have diminished and try to power through the clog and if that doesn't work I may rent a power auger.

Has anyone experienced this in your backyard and have a solution to fix it?

[b_fairmount]

Mine actually feeds through my house's sewer main, which then connects to the city's sewer system. Most of the storm inlets in our area are combined with the sewer lines from peoples houses; they are not seperate stormwater systems.

You might want to see if somewhere in the basement there is a cleanout for that pipe. Just be careful and wear gloves (mask and googles too if you have them) since it is a sewage and rainwater.

[Nexus-6]

Thanks for the reply. An available option is also to set up a Rain barrel to reduce the amount of rainwater runoff. Benefits are it can alleviate stress on the environment, provide water for my wife's garden, and I can control the flow of excess rainwater.

[b_fairmount]

another fix that i use all the time for shower and bath drains is to use a shopvac to suck out the clog. not sure how wide the drain is but you can either but the hose down the drain or you can create a vacuum in the line by putting a towel around the hose and create a seal with the surface of the drain.

[Moonraker]

Get a professional, they are very common.

As noted the storm and sewage systems in these older homes are combined. The pipes are terracotta and fragile. The risk of damage goes beyond seeping sewage. You could saturate the soil to the point that termites are encouraged to migrate. Termites are a known problem, and probably in homes close to you.

Another reason is you do not know where the clog is and may need a CCTV system to find it. By needing this much water, I conclude the clog is well down stream, requiring a large volume of water to fill, and reach your backyard drain.

[daveydoo]

Thanks for the reply. An available option is also to set up a Rain barrel to reduce the amount of rainwater runoff. Benefits are it can alleviate stress on the environment, provide water for my wife's garden, and I can control the flow of excess rainwater.

While the water for the garden is a benefit, just keep in mind that a typical heavy rain storm (I believe it's an inch of water) creates about 200 gallons run off of an average rowhouse roof. That's 4 barrels worth.

[plnii]

Depends on your drain. I tried a drain snake without luck and eventually got it unclogged with a regular toilet plunger. FYI, I think my pipe is cast iron and not terra cotta like another poster mentioned.