Cleaning and unblocking drainpipes
Our guide tells you all about cleaning drainpipes – including the STIHL tools that make the job simple.
21.11.2025
What is a drainpipe? Why does it need cleaning?
A drainpipe or downpipe is part of the roof drainage system on most buildings; it is connected to the gutters and channels water down towards the ground, thereby protecting the material of the building. It is made up of various functional segments of piping held together by connectors and brackets. Drainpipes generally terminate above a barrel which collects the rainwater, or into a drain which is connected to the sewerage system in the ground. Regular cleaning is important because, over time, leaves, moss and plant residues gather in the gutter which the drainpipes are connected to. If ignored, these can eventually form a blockage – with expensive consequences.
If you notice that water from your gutter is not passing through the downpipe properly, your downpipe is probably clogged and in need of cleaning. You might see leaking from pipe connections when it rains, or directly from the gutter, or just persistently damp patches of wall. Any drainpipe blockage formed by leaves, moss and plant matter increases water pressure within the pipe, which could cause your drainpipes to break, in the worst-case scenario.
Cleaning gutters: a handy guide
We show you how to clean your gutters so that rainwater can flow through them freely.
Avoid the consequences of a broken drainpipe with our clear instructions – for regular maintenance or even if the drainpipe is already blocked.
Cleaning drainpipes: how to do it
You’ll be amazed at how easy cleaning drainpipes is with a high-pressure cleaner and a pipe cleaning set.
Pipe cleaning sets designed specifically for cleaning drainpipes are available as accessories for STIHL high-pressure cleaners. The hose has a nozzle at the end which can dislodge even stubborn blockages. The pipe cleaning set uses a combination of water and mechanical power, to give your drainpipe an especially thorough, yet virtually effortless cleaning. It takes just 5 simple steps with the tool:
Connect the pipe cleaning hose to your high-pressure cleaner.
Feed the hose up into the drainpipe you need to clean.
Switch on the high-pressure cleaner and push the hose in until it reaches the blockage.
Use circular motions to dislodge the leaves and debris that have accumulated in the pipe until the blockage sprays out of the downpipe.
Finally, keep rinsing until the water from the pipe runs clear.
Cleaning drainpipes: a video guide
STIHL pro tip: If your drain pipes terminate below ground level, you will need to locate and remove the blocked section for cleaning. Before opening the pipe brackets to do this, inspect the drainpipe carefully: the blockage will always be somewhere below the segment of the pipe from which water is leaking. It’s also worth checking that the blockage is not in the underground section of the pipe.
Summary: cleaning drainpipes
- Cleaning drainpipes is a straightforward job that should be part of your routine home maintenance
- The best way to tackle it is by using a STIHL high-pressure cleaner with a pipe cleaning set
- Blocked drainpipes need cleaning as a matter of urgency
