Kitchen sink clog / pipe near boiler leak in rented flat

dodger1

dfi wrote: »

It has been less than 2 months since I started renting a flat.
For the past 3 days, whenever I start my washing machine, water starts to come out of kitchen sink.
Water also pours out from a pipe below the boiler strangely at the same time.
Water is draining in the kitchen sink very very slowly.

When I spoke to my letting agent, she sent a plumber to check. He just stared at the sink and washing machine and did not even want me to show him what really happened and then left quickly. I got a mail from my letting agent that oil/fat has been poured into sink and hence the block and I need to bear the cost of plumber (£40 for 1st hour).

In my past house, I've been cooking for more than 4 yrs and this never happened. So wondering how could this happen in just less than 2 months usage in this apartment. Any advice from forumers with similar experience?

So did the plumber actually fix the problem or did he just look at it and leave without checking to see what the problem was?

dfi

Hi Hedgehog99 and G_M,

I use oil in my cooking regularly and wash vessels which I used for frying food items, in the kitchen sink. I've been doing this for the past 4 yrs in my old house without any issue. I've never poured liquid oil down the sink ever.

My sink is also close to washing machine and boiler. Looks like everything is interconnected. Some part of the pipes go behind the walls
and it all looks lot confusing to me on which pipes are which. Still I find the pouring of water from one of the pipes below the boiler strange whenever I start my washing machine.

G.M...BTW...I think you are right. There is a U bend below my sink and I can see that someone (the person who lived before me I think) has placed a glass below the bend!!! The video was brilliant. Thanks for that.
Thanks Hedgehog99 for sharing your issue. That was really helpful.

dfi

dodger1 wrote: »

So did the plumber actually fix the problem or did he just look at it and leave without checking to see what the problem was?

The plumber came yesterday...He didn't open the pipes. He did not even want me to start the washing machine to see the issue first hand. He came, just saw the boiler and the pipes and left in 7 mts and then told my letting agent that the block was due to pouring oil/fat in the sink.
My agent informed that he will be coming again tomorrow with the 'equipments'.

harrys_dad

I think you should inform the LA (and the LL as indicated above) that the plumber did not actually do anything to justify a call out fee.

MadelinesMum

I would try and get the sink unblocked then try and get the LA to call out a plumber if there is still a problem with the boiler pipes. I successfully used 1 cup of bicarb, then 2 cups of white vinegar (it will foam and fizz like a volcano). After this a poured down a kettle full of boiling water, leave it a while to cool, then plunge. Cover all other holes in the sinks you won't get the suction.

G_M

harrys_dad wrote: »

I think you should inform the LA (and the LL as indicated above) BY LETTER that the plumber did not actually do anything to justify a call out fee.

:rotfl: :T