Buried drain clogged
Figure out whether a buried yard drain is blocked at the inlet, outlet, or underground run, and what to do before you start digging or replacing anything.
Outdoor • RepairRiot
Exterior Drainage Troubleshooting Guides
Start with where water collects, where it should discharge, and what changed in the yard before digging or replacing parts.
Follow WaterCheck OutletsClear Clogs First
Featured exterior drainage guides
Buried drain frozen
Figure out whether a buried drain is frozen at the inlet, outlet, or a low spot in the line, and know when simple thawing is reasonable versus when to stop and call for help.
Buried drain overflows after storm
Figure out why a buried yard drain overflows during heavy rain. Start with the grate, outlet, and water path before digging or replacing anything.
Buried drain stops working in winter
Figure out whether a buried yard drain stopped working in winter because of ice, a blocked outlet, poor slope, or a crushed section, and know when to stop digging and call for help.
Catch basin fills with leaves fast
If your catch basin fills with leaves fast, start with the grate, nearby leaf drop, and incoming water path before assuming the buried drain is clogged. Here’s how to sort out the real cause and fix the right part.
Catch basin overflowing
A catch basin that overflows is usually dealing with a blocked grate, a full sump, or a downstream drain line that cannot carry water away. Start with the visible checks before digging or replacing anything.
More exterior drainage problems
Catch basin smells bad
A smelly catch basin usually means standing dirty water, rotting debris, or a blocked outlet line. Start with the grate, sump, and flow path before replacing anything.
Channel drain clogged
Find out why a channel drain is clogged, clear the blockage safely, and tell when the problem is just surface debris versus a buried drain line issue.
Channel drain overflowing
Find out why a channel drain is overflowing by checking the grate, trench, outlet, and surrounding slope before you replace anything.
Drain backs up into lawn
Find out why an exterior drain is surfacing water in the lawn. Check for outlet blockage, catch basin debris, crushed pipe, or storm overload before digging or replacing parts.
Drain downhill discharge eroding soil
Figure out why a downhill drain outlet is washing out soil and choose the right fix, from clearing the outlet to adding a splash block or downspout extension.
Drain emitter leaks near foundation
Find out why a drain emitter is dumping water near the house instead of farther out. Check for a stuck emitter, clogged line, bad slope, or a broken outlet before buying parts.
Drain emitter popping up water
A drain emitter that pops open and gushes water is often doing its job, but standing water, weak flow, or backup points to a clogged outlet, frozen line, or overloaded buried drain.
Drain holds water all year
Figure out whether standing water in an exterior drain is normal, a partial clog, a bad outlet, or a grading problem. Start with simple checks before digging or replacing anything.
Drain outlet erodes mulch
Find out why a drain outlet is washing out mulch and what to fix first, from outlet splash and missing protection to poor slope or a partially blocked drain line.
Drain outlet freezes shut
Figure out why an exterior drain outlet freezes shut, how to tell ice from a clog, and what to do before water backs up toward the house.
Drain outlet washes out soil
Find out why a yard drain or downspout outlet is eroding soil, and fix the water path before it cuts a trench or undermines nearby ground.
Drain smells musty after rain
Track down why an exterior drain smells musty after rain by checking standing water, debris, buried drain backups, and washed-in organic buildup before buying parts.
Drain trench fills with silt
Find out why a drain trench keeps filling with silt, separate surface wash-in from a buried drain blockage, and fix the water path before the trench clogs again.
Driveway channel drain clogged
Clear a clogged driveway channel drain by checking the grate, outlet, and buried line in the right order. Find out when it is just debris and when the blockage is farther downstream.
Drain driveway channel ice block
Find out why a driveway channel drain is icing over, whether the problem is surface blockage, a frozen outlet, poor slope, or standing water, and what to do next safely.
Driveway drain clogged
Find out why a driveway drain is clogged, clear the common blockage points safely, and tell when the problem is a buried drain line that needs a different fix.
French drain not working
Figure out why a french drain is not working by separating surface grading, inlet blockage, outlet blockage, and crushed pipe problems before you dig or replace anything.
Lawn drain overflowing
A lawn drain that overflows is usually dealing with a blocked grate, a clogged outlet, or a buried line that cannot move water fast enough. Start at the surface, then check the outlet and nearby low spots before digging or replacing anything.
