Plumbing Problems after Plastering?

Spender£

After having some Plastering done i caught the workmen using hot water to flush away unwanted skim and plaster pieces down my kitchen sink, i forced them to stop this and they did however, ever since this incident we have had a sink full of dirty water whenever the washing machine is used.
The plumber has checked it by plunging it but won't do anything else, he is blaming the washing machine, but this has only just started happening since the plasterers put plaster down the sink. I have got 2 other Plumbers and all they do is use a long plunge rod type thing but it makes no difference
The water which comes up in the sink is filthy!
I have a feeling some of the plaster or skim or something is causing some kind of blockage and i notice the washing machine is unable to spin since this incident also.
The plastering Company apologised and claimed the hot water sink method would of dissolved the plaster and therefore would not be the reason this is happening.
Any guidance on this problem, welcome!

tacpot12

The plasterers might have managed to pour plaster into your washing machine; if they blocked the sink, the water/plaster mix will have tried to find a route out via the washing machine. If there is enough plaster in the washing machine filter housing, the washing machine will not be able to empty so it will not spin.

I suggest you disconnect the waste hose from the washing machine from wherever it dumps its outflow, and hold it over the sink while the washing machine empties and tries to spin. Look to see if there is any plaster in the water coming out of the washing machine. You may also be able to check the washing machine filter housing to see if there is any plaster in it.

I suspect the plasterer's usually dispose of their waste down the sink plug hole and that this normally doesn't cause a problem (they are lucky!) but in your house the method by which the washing machine is connected to the waste is different - I'm guessing it plugs onto the waste trap under the sink.

If they have managed to get plaster into your washing machine, they will be liable for its repair.

FreeBear

Spender£ wrote: »

The plastering Company apologised and claimed the hot water sink method would of dissolved the plaster and therefore would not be the reason this is happening.

All I can say is "Berks". Plaster will not dissolve in hot water unless it contains quite a bit of acid. Washing down the sink will line your drains nicely with a layer of pink crud which will attract yet more crud (think poo, toilet paper, and anything else you flush away). In time, you may well end up with some nice blockages to deal with.

The plastering company needs to engage a professional at their expense to fix your washing machine and have your drains power flushed.