[Wolfman]

I was told to use a drain rod from the bottom to unblock a downpipe.   Anyone know about this, how about if the pipe goes into ground?

[Shrek]

I was told to use a drain rod from the bottom to unblock a downpipe.   Anyone know about this, how about if the pipe goes into ground?

If it goes into the ground then 1st you have to dig 6 foot into the ground/ tarmac

[Slacky]

Tap the down-pipe. Does it feel solid and if you're at ground level at the time the blockage is likely underground.

In which case the customer needs to call Dyno-rod. Unless you're a draining unblocking business in which case you shouldn't be asking these questions.

[Llaaww]

I was working on an office building once, it had a down pipe that was blocked at the bottom. The building was about 8floors and the pipe was a large diameter.

I could see that it was clearly blocked by leaves, so I set about pulling them out. The stuff was so compacted that it was hard to get it out by hand so I started using a screw driver. After a bit of digging i finally started to get a bit of water weeping out. Next came a really fine jet of water, "that's funny" thought I. Then it went off, the blockage cleared and eight floors of down pipe erupted much to the delight of the office workers who had been watching.

[G Griffin]

I was told to use a drain rod from the bottom to unblock a downpipe.   Anyone know about this, how about if the pipe goes into ground?

That sounds painful; I'd use the drain rod from the hands; you have more control too.

[Slacky]

I was working on an office building once, it had a down pipe that was blocked at the bottom. The building was about 8floors and the pipe was a large diameter.

I could see that it was clearly blocked by leaves, so I set about pulling them out. The stuff was so compacted that it was hard to get it out by hand so I started using a screw driver. After a bit of digging i finally started to get a bit of water weeping out. Next came a really fine jet of water, "that's funny" thought I. Then it went off, the blockage cleared and eight floors of down pipe erupted much to the delight of the office workers who had been watching.

It’s always fun when that happens. Did you send them your dry cleaning bill?