Perimeter drain cleaning and hydro flushing

Not every slow or backed-up perimeter drain needs to be dug up. If the pipe itself is sound but silt, roots or iron ochre are blocking it, hydro flushing can bring it back.

How hydro flushing works

A hose with a high-pressure nozzle goes into the line through a cleanout. Jets of water scour the inside of the pipe and push the debris downstream and out. A camera check afterward confirms the line is running clear.

What it clears

• Silt and sand washed into the pipe over the years
• Fine roots that have started growing into the joints
• Iron ochre, the orange, slimy deposit that grows in drains where groundwater is rich in iron
• Leaves and debris carried in from gutters and downspouts

When flushing is not enough

If the pipe is crushed, broken or separated at the joints, flushing will only clear it for a short time. In that case the camera footage points to a spot repair or a replacement.

Regular maintenance

A drain with cleanouts can be flushed every few years to keep it running. It is the cheapest way to protect a system that is still in good shape, especially if your property has a history of iron ochre or large trees near the house.

Common questions