Blocked waste.

z1a

Hi all, don't know whether my main 4" waste from bathroom has blocked or frozen below ground.
Push fit. so disconnected just above ground level and started plunging with rods, then disaster struck, - plunger end has snapped off somewhere about in middle of where I was plunging and inspection cover. They are about 5 metres apart with 3 bends.
Anybody got any idea as how to now force plunger from either end?
Am now going to have another try with corkscrew end before it gets dark.
TIA for any ideas before I resort to pickaxe!

TheBiggerPicture

Lift up the inspection cover, plunge from the inspection pit back and try and push/force the rods back up from where you were plunging in the first place. Your pipes must be frozen. We've had a bath that wont drain, it all freezes up outside, all the downpipes are cast iron so just threw boiling kettle water on it and it worked. Failing that you can ring your water board and say the drains are blocked. They are very fast to respond and might jet wash it out for you.

z1a

TheBiggerPicture wrote: »

Lift up the inspection cover, plunge from the inspection pit back and try and push/force the rods back up from where you were plunging in the first place. Your pipes must be frozen. We've had a bath that wont drain, it all freezes up outside, all the downpipes are cast iron so just threw boiling kettle water on it and it worked. Failing that you can ring your water board and say the drains are blocked. They are very fast to respond and might jet wash it out for you.

Thank you, have just been trying that, think it is frozen, feels solid.
Have temporarily Diverted waste straight from bottom of downpipe directly to inspection hole using some pipe I have. Got too cold for me now can't feel my fingers! Will take an afternoon off work and try your idea again.

AndyMc.....

z1a wrote: »

Hi all, don't know whether my main 4" waste from bathroom has blocked or frozen below ground.
Push fit. so disconnected just above ground level and started plunging with rods, then disaster struck, - plunger end has snapped off somewhere about in middle of where I was plunging and inspection cover. They are about 5 metres apart with 3 bends.
Anybody got any idea as how to now force plunger from either end?
Am now going to have another try with corkscrew end before it gets dark.
TIA for any ideas before I resort to pickaxe!

Having done that before I feel your pain.

z1a

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Having done that before I feel your pain.

You've had to resort to digging it out?
Hope I don't, will try again tomorrow.

AndyMc.....

z1a wrote: »

You've had to resort to digging it out?
Hope I don't, will try again tomorrow.

No, the jetter shifted it.

z1a

After 4 fruitless hours and ANOTHER snapped rod - (Silverline brand - absolute rubbish.) I gave up and called professionals in.
Local independent firm, arrived at appointed time, got camera up drain, various grabbing tools and pressure wash. All sorted within an hour at a good price.
Anybody in E.Lancs area needs a recommendation PM me for name.

AndyMc.....

z1a wrote: »

After 4 fruitless hours and ANOTHER snapped rod - (Silverline brand - absolute rubbish.) I gave up and called professionals in.
Local independent firm, arrived at appointed time, got camera up drain, various grabbing tools and pressure wash. All sorted within an hour at a good price.
Anybody in E.Lancs area needs a recommendation PM me for name.

Silverline plunger from toolstation by any chance?

z1a

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Silverline plunger from toolstation by any chance?

No, B&Q, only place open on Sunday when I wanted it. They snap at the ferrule, die-cast metal no more than 1mm thick section.