How to clear out a french drain?

Imagine no real way to clear if pvc pipe. If you have pipe with holes it get packed with mud over time. Better off going with packed pea gravel -- I had good luck with them but I also go atleast 12" wide and 16" deep.

I go to where mine drains out… I put an old fashion brass twist water nozzle on end… set it to strong stream… turn water on high and work the hose in like a snake… washing out debris and letting it flow back at me… then when clear go to the entry point on the French drain and wash things out from up there.

Bladder not ballast

I'd dig it up a few feet and install a clean out, and once the glue was dry run a drain bladder to clean it out.

If the drain is solid sewer pipe you can consider using a sewer jetter hose connected to pressure washer - it’s what I use to clean my lawn drainage system when it clogs with debris. I typically have to use mine once or twice a year to clean it - it’s usually sediment accumulation for me. I don’t think I’d use a jetter on thinner flexible drainage pipe. As stated having a clean out mid-way can be helpful but you can buy a 100 ft long sewer jetter hose.

You can read the thread on the topic right below yours. Here is my post in that thread in quotes below.

“ Yes - i have the “original” Clog Hog sewer jetter.

Admittedly, I’ve only used it for lawn drainage solid sewer pipe, not indoor drainage, but I does an excellent job of clearing obstructions in drainage pipe. In my case it’s usually sediment build up plus some tree roots that enter the drain pipe. It cuts through small tree roots.

When you hit an “solid” obstruction and the jet stops pulling itself forward, you pull the jetter back a foot or 2, release it, to propel itself forward to hit the obstruction like a battering ram, and continue doing that until it breaks through, and then you just work it back and forth in that area so it cleans and flushes the obstructed area thoroughly.

It is simple enough, but take care and go slowly, it’s powerful - if you accidentally pulled it from the pipe while under full pressure you could hurt yourself.”

Just had mine done. Made it 7 years before the first cleaning.

Ended up having to get a plumber go come and hydro jet it. He told me that if you stay on top of cleaning them every 2.5 to 3 years you won’t have to hydro jet.

Used a snake on mine and ended up pulling out a good amount of roots. Seems to have helped flow.