can anyone recommend any chemicals to give the drains outside the mansion a good cleaning? they're not blocked but there's something in the air

don't be giving me any "green" alternatives that'll be rubbish - i need something quick and effective... but trying to avoid anything with a picture of a skull and crossbones on the lable

You could try using one of these.

Have you tried a nice long rod - ooer mrs

Mr Muscle is pretty good if you want to go down the chemical route

i don't fancy my house being robbed at the same time lip.

thought lips answer was good until that one.

Are you talking spouting or plumbing here

i'm talking "drainy" smell outside which sometimes comes in through the kitchen on hot days. getting the drains jetted would be a short term solution, however there must be some decent chemicals around that'll do the job.

You sure you aint just got a waft of your dirty skids on your washing line.



While your at it, will you tell your missis to stop bloody Winking at me.

thank you dot

i'm off to pour some industrial bleach down some drains.

Mad - don't use bleach mate. there must be some specific clearer for drains.

bleach could have a nasty effect if your drains are just piped to a watercourse.

No dont piss in them.

Is it bicarbonate of soda that gets really worked up and then scours the network?

I just use Jeyes fluid and stop shovelling last nights curry down the sink.

Failing that hi-pressure jet always clears the dodgy sludge and leaves the drains sparkling.

Cracked pipe. Probably not even yours. Call your water company.

Caustic Soda is the one you want. Should be able to get it at a decent hardware store (ie not B & Homcus)

It's Madchester we're talkimg to here......I'm buggered if I'm coming all the way over there just to service his utilities ( again )

Try sucking the blockage out Mad.

That's what I've used in the past. They normally recommend mixing it with water and then pouring it down but a more effective method that I found was to whack the soda granuals down the drain... let them bubble away for a while and then pour boiling water down there.

Be sure to pour the water at arms length with protective gloves on... it's powerful stuff!!!

agree. when the odours start going it could very well be. mind you, some local councils will charge if it's on your property. how old are your pipes?
last time our internals needed a flush, i set out with best intentions to get some green product thats enzymes were supposed to eat away at the bacteria but just ended up getting drano or liquid plumber gel.
did the job but may now have some slight water hammer issue developing.

outside drains though - different pile of beans.

cracked pipe? hadn't thought of that... i guess i'll try the soda and see how it goes. if the odours persist then i'll try jetting (again). if that fails then it may have to be a call to the water authorities.

it may be the deposits you left last time that are responsible for the blockage

Up North we've always found our own green solutions.

Ferrets normally clear any blockages and thay also polish up the pipes - only problem is knowing when to pull them back again by the string on their tales