Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations blocked overflow pipe

I purchased some property with a nearly an acre pond on it. The overflow pipe is pvc and about 10 inches. When I bought the place there was nothing over the end of the pipe. It was just open. No one had actively used the property for several years. I have fashioned a cover to keep large debris out but the flow out of the pipe is not enough to handle even a small rain... it goes over the emergency overflow. The exit pipe below the dam is 1/2 full or less. There doesn't seem to be as much flow as there was initially. Any ideas for unplugging this pipe?? I think there must be some debris in it. It may be 12 to 15 feet down and I don't know if there is a 90 angle down there or not. There has been some beaver activity(although at least one is not active any more). Any ideas suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

Something is almost certainly blocking it. Most probably brush. A 10 inch pipe should take a bunch of water. Mine goes through the dam at a downward angle with no ell. I think I would go to a plumbing supply house and ask questions and also ask for suggestions. If you have power, you might get things cleared by renting an electrical snake. Thats the machine that the plumbers use to clean out tree roots in sewage lines.

Get the largest treble hook (really really large) or grappling hook, tie on a nylon line, and drop it down into your pipe and haul away. I guarantee you you will fish out quite a bit of debris. It doesn't take alot to block the water flow on a drain pipe.

Where you located at Mike? I'm in North Bama and if you are close I have a pier gaff basically a large 6 inch diameter treble hook with about a pound of lead on the shank. Would work perfect for you.

Bob

Bob
I am over in Muscle Shoals. I think that I know a drug rep that calls on us that lives in Hartselle. I will ask him if he would be willing to pick it up sometime an bring it over to save me a drive. Sounds as though it should work. I will email you in the next week or two.
Thanks,
Mike

As in other aspects of pond management don't forget to take care of the cause.

Beaver will persistantly try to repair what they perceive as a leaking dam.

If you are successful in unstopping the pipe they will try to plug that hole again.

It's trapping season & your local wildlife officer should be able to line you up with a trustworthy trapper if you're not inclined to take care of it yourself. There are seldom just one or 2.

Well the grappling hook is on it's way over to Mike hopefully it will work for him as overflow is a big possibility when 5 inches of rain last week and more coming down today and tomorrow already over an inch this morning in his area. I have about a half inch running over the spillway at my place. My new next door neighbor that bought 10 acres and wants to build a pond and a house gave up and headed back to Florida until spring couldn't even dig a trench for his water line just filled with water!

Bob

Bob,
Unfortunately the grappling hook was not very helpful. I got one small stick out. It just didn't seem to be able to catch anything. I put a 2X4 down the pipe and you can feel there is debris down there. I think maybe it is covered in leaves or relatively flat so the hook never could get down to get under anything. One of the rental companies here has a sewer pipe cleaner with a root cutter on it I may rent that and give it a try. The hook should be back on its way home this weekend. Thanks for the help.
Mike

Oh well was worth a shot maybe the roto-rooter will do the trick. Are you also able to come in from the dam side and try and clean the horizontal section also? With all the rain we had bet you are really needing the overflow now. I got 9 inches last week in the rain guage.

Bob

If you can stick a 2x4 into the pipe from the back and feel debris at the inlet, can't you poke it loose with the 2x4?

Should be able to jiggle it loose enough to get some flow.

Stick it in until it contacts the debris and whallop it with a sledge hammer. Drive the debris back a foot or so. The flow will suck it back to the pipe again,but in a looser fashion.

I'ld call a plumber and see if he can take one of the sewer snakes out there that they use to remove roots from drains. I bet it will work.

-lee-

Nick,
I can get a 2X4 in from the top of the overflow, but it is about 30-40 feet from below the dam. Does anyone know how an overflow pipe is generally constructed. This is 10 inch pvc type pipe. Does it go down and then hit a 90 elbow and out?? Would there ever be a T with part of the pipe going on down for support? I haven't tried the roto-rooter yet as I have to get a generator to that area.
Thanks,
Mike

URODOC,
Any of your friends or fishing buddies have one of those tiny underwater cameras? You could tape a small waterproof flashlight on the cord and drop it down the intake of the overflow or secure it to a long rod and go in from the discharge end. Might give you a better idea of what the problem is and how to deal with it. How far down did the grapple hook go B/4 it hit the obstruction?

Or how about a water pump with a 3" or 4" discharge. With a heavy brass nozzle and 50 feet of hose it should slide down in until it hits the blockage. Fire up the pump and see if you couldn't force the obstruction out.
Good luck.
Dan