Drain issue, DIY suggestions?

pug_in_a_bed

Hello all, looking for some blocked drain advice.

Basically toilet has been playing up, filling up when flushed to the top of the bowl and taking a long time to drain down. Occasionally drains down so there is hardly any water in the bowl, and then takes a good while to fill up to it's normal level. All items (ahem) are going down with the flush apart from loo roll which just hangs around!

Tried all the usual, plungers, hot water, vinegar and soda, mops as plungers etc. in the loo. No joy or very brief joy then a return to filling up.

Simultaneously outside the kitchen is a small drain (kitchen water goes in here, the washing machine etc. This is also blocked, as it overflows particularly when the washer has run out its water.

Are the two connected? I'm in a ground floor flat. Had a poke around the kitchen drain today with some borrowed rods but it only goes down a small way (quarter of a metre-ish) and then it feels solid, not blocked solid but like its meant to be solid - I can't locate a drain hole with the rods or anything smaller like a bamboo cane. Not sure if these drains just have very tiny drain holes at the bottom or what.

Should say there is also a open drain tube (not sure how to describe this) at the very end of the garden, which is somehow connected to the loo as you can here the water rushing here when someone flushes. That's not overflowing or anything - it's very deep. The top of it pops up at the back of the garden about
30cm above ground. Nothing flows into it from above but I can hear the water moving in this area under the ground - e.g. if someone flushes in the house.

Just to add there is a man hole at the side of the house (converted to 2 flats) by my back gate. I haven't investigated this yet as not sure if I need to, and think I will need a friend as it's old and very heavy.

At the moment, I hate my toilet. Any advice for a novice appreciated!

Ebe_Scrooge

I'd investigate the manhole cover. If you lift it, you'll get a good view of the drains, you may be lucky and see an obvious blockage. If so, then some careful prodding with a cane and plenty of water from a garden hose should clear it.

If there's nothing obvious, and you're able to borrow some rods, then have a go at rodding the drain from the manhole - both ways, i.e. back up towards the house as well as "downstream".

You may find this does the trick, and it's cost nothing to try. If this doesn't do the trick, you may need to get a professional in - my only advice would be steer clear of the big well-known names, such as those that end in "Rod", they'll charge a fortune. Ask around friends & neighbours for a decent local plumber.

pug_in_a_bed

Thanks so much for this, I've borrowed some drain rods so will tackle the man hole and see how we go.

Ebe_Scrooge

Let us know how you get on :-)

Forgot to mention - the open drain thingy at the bottom of the garden that you describe; sounds like it's a "rodding point", so you could also have a go at getting the rods in there. But I'd start with the manhole if I were you, purely because there's more room to see what's going on and poke about.

anotherbaldrick

You have a blockage, it is probably on the drain from your WC and sink to the manhole outside . You need someone to lift the cover and rod back up the drain from the external manhole . There may be a rodding point inside your flat adjacent to the WC perhaps behind a cover.

F_Bear

we had a similar problem in our house (see my thread if you can)

we rang yorkshire water and laid it on thick that the garden was overflowing with waste. they came out for free and inspected the man hole covers in the street as there responsible for them.

as they were clear the problem was in our garden :-( but its worth a try and free

pug_in_a_bed

Thanks all, need to wait until Sat to get my elbows in when it's light. I'll let you know the outcome although I promise no pictures....

ian103

Personnally I dislike drain rods, need to make sure they are joined properly, last drain I unblocked I used a jetting attachment on a pressure washer, the blockage was tile adhesive / grout and it was swiftly dislodged.

pug_in_a_bed

Funny you should say that Ian, as there are two or three stuck in the drain!


So family had a go at rodding last week, hardly went down at all. Said family member also lost 2 or three rods which unscrewed.


United Utilties came out and fixed the blockage as was just on their bit, so delighted about that. However, they did say they could see the rods but wouldn't remove them as it was our property, the mean things!


I've had a quote from a local drainage company for £80 per hour and to expect 2-3 hours work - cry!!


Any recommendations either for removal or for someone in Merseyside who can solve my drain blues??

SailorSam

I think the blockage is more likely to be at the back of the loo itself. Not difficut to fix but it'll be a bit smelly. Start by flushing, take the lid off the cistern and jam the float down to stop it re-filling. Next is the loo screwed to the floor, you should find 4 screws, take these out. Now with a bit of jiggling you should be able to pull the loo forward and free. Check the loo from the back and the outlet going through the wall, about 4" flexi pipe. That's a common place for a blockage.
Put back is just a reversal ..... loo in; screw down; reseat cylinder.
The other thing were you tried to clear and it only goes down a few inches, that's normal you have likr a swan-neck pipe there. Horrible job but i've put on rubber gloves and cleared that of little stones and crisp bags.

pug_in_a_bed

Thanks Sailor but the blockage is now fully cleared, I have a fully functional loo and can do a wash without making a swimming pool in the garden.


Unfortunately the issue is now some stuck rods!