I have a deeply-buried 4" flexible (corrugated) drain line which has
slowed down considerably. Pine tree roots may have grown into it, or
perhaps just dirt accumulated. Because it is soft rather than hard, a
normal "rotorooter" approach can't be used I am told by someone who
tried. Both ends are accessible but there are bends in it.
What are alternative ways to clean it out?

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Clarification of Question by alb-ga on 04 Aug 2003 17:24 PDT

Thanks pugwashjw-ja!  My wording was poor.  It doesn't drain any soil.
 The upstream side has a roof downspout going into it and it doesn't
have any holes in it except the two open ends.  AB 8-04-03

Hi Alb-ga. Your problem may not be in just the soft material flexible
pipe. The surrounding soil or earth may have become clogged. I had a
similar problem with what is termed a " French Drain" in Aussie. A
long trench, 30 or more feet, dug out to four feet wide and three or
four feet deep. A long box of concrete slabs measuring
2ft.X2/3ftx30/40ft is built in the trench , with water exit holes or
slots, and then filled on both sides with porous sand [no clay] The
whole arrangement can be built on the ground surface and covered with
a substantial earth mound. Treated waste water from existing toilet
septic tanks or waste water from bath and laundry can be directed into
one end of the drain and it then leac hes slowly out into the
surrounding ground. My original drain stopped "working" due the
surrounding porous sand clogging with soap and other contaminants. The
only answer is to dig it all out and replace the sand or construct a
second one at the lower end. Whichever is the easier option. Depending
on your location, you may have to place the new one alongside if space
is limited. Apologies for not being the bearer of info that does not
involve DIGGING. Regards, P.