At first, it looked empty. But about three feet down, there was a shadow. He grabbed the garden hose he’d dragged up with him and stuck the nozzle into the pipe.
If the clog is deeper, feed a plumber's snake or auger into the pipe bit by bit until you hit resistance. Rotate the handle to break through the obstruction, then pull the cable back out to remove the debris.
Remove the vent cap if there is one. Use a flashlight to look for visible blockages like bird nests, leaves, or dead animals. Reach in and remove what you can by hand or with a screwdriver.
He hooked it again, pulling up clumps of debris that had likely accumulated over a decade. It was disgusting work—wet, muddy, and smelling faintly of rot. But eventually, the water level in the pipe began to drop. Whoosh. It drained away.