Inspect and Clean Outdoor Drains
Why It Matters
Clogged yard drains cause standing water that kills grass, breeds mosquitoes, and eventually seeps toward your foundation.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Garden trowel. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the inspect and clean outdoor drains
Clear leaves and debris from yard drains, French drains, and downspout drainage systems.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Garden trowel
Community Tips
Clear debris from drain grates and gutters first, as leaves and sediment are the primary culprits blocking outdoor drainage systems. Use a garden trowel to scoop out accumulated material, then flush the drain with a garden hose at moderate pressure to identify any deeper blockages that require professional attention.
A Flexzilla Garden Hose ($25-40) with adjustable spray nozzle outperforms standard hoses for drain cleaning because its hybrid polymer construction resists kinking in tight spaces around downspouts and foundation drains, allowing better water pressure control during flushing.
Never use a pressure washer exceeding 2,000 PSI on drain grates or underground drain lines, as excessive force can crack clay tile drains or dislodge sections of PVC piping installed beneath the soil surface. ---