Blocked Pipe

kayleighali

Hi all, 

My partner cleaned our downstairs loo yesterday and flushed a load of kitchen roll down the loo (I know, I know!!!). Now there seems to be a blockage but the issue is that it appears to be in the pipe after the sink but before the pipe going outside if that makes sense?

I have tried plunging etc but the issue is that the water just comes up into the sink (and vice versa when I try plunging the sink) so I'm not getting any purchase on the blockage further down. I don't believe it's in the outside pipe as the rest of the toilets/sinks are draining with no issues so it seems to be localised.

What can I do before calling a plumber? I have tried bleach, drain unblocker and I have picked up some caustic soda but not used it yet, any other ideas?

Really reluctant to call a plumber due to cost so would like to exhaust as many other avenues as I can before that!

Thanks

jbainbridge

I'd block the sink (and it's overflow) as best you can .. maybe get another pair of hands! Then plunge the toilet again adding more water as you can.

Essentially try push the blockage out of the branch of pipe.

FreeBear

kayleighali said: What can I do before calling a plumber? I have tried bleach, drain unblocker and I have picked up some caustic soda but not used it yet, any other ideas?

Pouring chemicals down a plughole is generally a waste of time - The water in the pipe will dilute your chemicals before they have a chance to attack the blockage. If you have poured bleach down the sink and then follow it up by using Spirit of Salts (Hydrochloric Acid), you run the risk of releasing Chlorine gas which can cause lung damage or even death. Please, don't go mixing chemicals.

Your best bet for dealing with a blockage in the sink is to use a Drain Snake - Something like this - https://www.screwfix.com/p/drain-unblocker-7-6m/11325 - You may need to remove the U-bend/trap under the sink (put a bowl or bucket under fist to catch any icky water).

NSG666

Depending how far you want to go before getting someone in - If you can find the nearest manhole cover downstream of the loo for the outside drain then shove a running hose pipe up it you might dislodge it from the other side.

If you tip water into the w/c does it just fill up an stay there or does the level (eventually) return to normal? Don't flush it just in case it overflows

kayleighali

Thanks everyone. Will bear the suggestions in mind

NSG666 said:

Depending how far you want to go before getting someone in - If you can find the nearest manhole cover downstream of the loo for the outside drain then shove a running hose pipe up it you might dislodge it from the other side.

If you tip water into the w/c does it just fill up an stay there or does the level (eventually) return to normal? Don't flush it just in case it overflows

Unfortunately when we bought this house everything had been slabbed over in the back garden so I was hoping to avoid having to lift any if I am honest! When you flush the loo it does fill but gradually returns to normal (slowly) and the same with the sink. Will try sealing off the sink and plunging again, hadn't thought of that so fingers crossed!

jbainbridge

If it is seeping through as you say .. you'll probably find the kitchen towel will soften / degrade .. and the blockage will clear itself. Might take some time though. Perhaps keep filling the toilet bowl to add a bit of pressure.

Jeepers_Creepers

Does your plunger fit the toilet bowl quite well?

As said above, one person to cover the basin overflow with a cloth, and holding the plug down in the sink.

Then fit yer plunger into the toilet bowl, and slowly press it down as far as it'll go - and then quickly pull it out. Try that a few times to try and dislodge the blockage backwards, or at least loosen it up. Also try this with the toilet bowl a good half-filled with water - get some back and firth pump action going...

Very good chance problem this will sort itself, but some kitchen paper towels have a plastic film in them and are a right pain for causing issues like this - they don't 'degrade' as quickly as you'd expect.

Soot2006

I find boiling water and lots of it can often speed up the softening of inappropriately flushed items

kayleighali

Thanks everyone, will give some of the suggestions a go after work and see how I get on

Eldi_Dos

Using boiling water can crack the porcelain,I have seen this happen twice at site offices over the years. As there is drain unblocker down there I would use eye protection.

FreeBear

kayleighali said:  When you flush the loo it does fill but gradually returns to normal (slowly) and the same with the sink. Will try sealing off the sink and plunging again, hadn't thought of that so fingers crossed!

Sounds like you have a blockage downstream of where the toilet and sink join the underground sewerage pipe. Rodding from a manhole would be the best option if you knew where they were.. Not sure if a Drain Snake is going to help in this situation.

Is there a manhole cover outside the bathroom/toilet or one close to the Soil Vent Pipe ?