Blocked Kitchen Sink Drain - Any Suggestions

TAJ9

Apologies for the lack of updates I have been away for the past week.

Rosa_Damascena said:

OP, have you got Stockholm syndrome? Why are you so reluctant to ask your LL to fix the problem of the drain, and the HW pressure?

I assumed I was responasiable for the kitchen sink drain - as I have been at the property for several years, I assume asking the LL to unblock the sink was similar to asking him to clean the oven, (e.g. I indirectly make the mess in the oven but still have to clean it, by indirectly I mean it to be that the mess comes as a result of cooking - I don't actively smear to oven with grease for example). Additionally the plumber that the LL uses is his "mate" who I feel will do the bare minimum to get some water flowing but not necessarily fix the underlying issue if there is one.

With regards to the HW I have learn't from others experiences not to "rock the boat" too much when it comes to maintainence issues as I would require a LL ref if I were ever to move out (and that whole business kind of worries me that if I kick up a fuss too much the LL may just give me a poor reference - either rightly or wrongly I would have no idea if they were - as most Lettings agents won't give reasons for poperpty rejections). But that is a different story altogether

Apodemus said:

TAJ9, when you have the U-bend off does water flow freely from the sink into a bucket?  Can you see directly down through the sink plug when the U-bend is off?

I cannot actually get the whole U Bend off (can't get a good enough grip on the sink side), only an elbow piece downstream of the U bend, but with this off water flows freely - this is based on the number of times I have gone to rinse my hands off and forgotten that there is a gap in the drain! Additionally I have been able to push a drain snake all the way up to the underside of the sink drain point -  you can also see down quite easily.  This is what was confusing me earlier - pouring water directly into the pipe it drains away quite quickly but as soon as the u bend is re-attached it runs slowly but with no obvious blockage in the u bend. The only things added back in to the drain with the u bend are the washing machine outlet and sink overlfow pipe (both before the u bend), I don't see how these would have any effect though

As a further update I have tried the chemical route with no sucess - left them to work for 12 hours + but no luck. Unfortunately it looks like I am going to have to get a plumber in to have a poper look. Ideally I would like to put a camera down the drain to try to see if the blockage is where I think it is or if it is further downstream (unlikey as it seems I have entertained the possibility that this could be "outside" my flat and the neighbours have a similar problem as I have found in the past that issues in common areas are not reported by my neighbours to the management company (e.g. problems with lighting in stairwells))

So any last gasp magic tricks will be greatly appreciated. 

Also apologies for the long post.

bris

LL is not responsible for tenants blocking their drains.

Pouring fat down the kitchen sink and using hot water to pushing further into the drainage system is common and people actually believe out of sight out of mind until it eventually back up with no where else to go.

Not saying you did this op but even just little bits rinsed off of plates over the years soon mounts up to this problem. Once it reaches a point where the hot water can no longer reach it, it sets and it's only a matter of time.

If you think it is further down the line report your complaint to your local water authority who will investigated whether their side of it is clear or not, if it is get a local specialist in drainage rather than a plumber and if it is outside your pipes then the LL would be partly responsible along with any other homeowners who share the system to  the main sewer, so in that case you could contact the LL.

Homer_home

bris said:

LL is not responsible for tenants blocking their drains.

Pouring fat down the kitchen sink and using hot water to pushing further into the drainage system is common and people actually believe out of sight out of mind until it eventually back up with no where else to go.

Not saying you did this op but even just little bits rinsed off of plates over the years soon mounts up to this problem. Once it reaches a point where the hot water can no longer reach it, it sets and it's only a matter of time.

If you think it is further down the line report your complaint to your local water authority who will investigated whether their side of it is clear or not, if it is get a local specialist in drainage rather than a plumber and if it is outside your pipes then the LL would be partly responsible along with any other homeowners who share the system to  the main sewer, so in that case you could contact the LL.

Last time I checked if the drain is shared it is the water board who maintain it regardless if it is on your property , drains that are not shared with your neighbour are your responsibility up to the sewer connection 

This was the case when a drain collapsed on my property , it was the water board who fixed it as it was shared with 3 neighbours 

TAJ9

Just a quick update, I had a drain company out to have a look on Friday, they managed to get 5m of drain rods down before they hit something in the pipe (they beleived it was a sharp bend), so they got in touch with the management company (turns out they also do work for them anyway) to see if they knew where the pipes went - to gain access from the other side of the blockage.

To cut a long story short the property management company and drain company manage to sort it on Monday, though they had to cut a pipe in another flat below as the stand pipe is not easily accesible. Kitchen sink is now flowing better than it ever has since I moved in.

Thanks for the suggestions/help

mike95

@TAJ9 I'm glad to hear you have hopefully got it sorted as there hasn't been anything posted since the 30th September.

Only because I recently had a slight blockage on my drain a few weeks ago (the water was still going down but just very slowly). I did come across this blog post which gave me some ideas to try which I thought might be helpful for anyone if it happens again: https://www.argo-drains.co.uk/how-to-unblock-a-sink-a-guide/. 

I tried a combination of cleaning out the waste trap and using a big bottle of Pepsi filled with water which you hold over the plughole then quickly squeeze the bottle to force water down. My drain seemed to work much better then so can only assume it was a slight blockage further down.

mia45943

For 1-1/2," lav drains, tub drains, 1-1/2" p-traps, & A/C drains in the attic, nothing compares for a lightweight easy-to-use top snake. I do not use it for kitchen drains or anything else. I use my Spartan 100 with a 3/8 cable for kitchen drains or my jetter if possible and I use the 3/8"s on lavs that are clogged further than 25'. It is not too bad on your arm. You don't have to push the cable in with the self-feeder. I was unsure of it for a while because I have used self-feeding top snakes in the past (cheap brands) and been less than satisfied but I am willing to guarantee that if you do any drain work, you will love this tool. It's tough and well built.