Blocked and leaking toilet.

BikingBud

NornIronRose said:

Just had a thought. We have 2 toilets and the downstairs one is fine. Would that have a bearing on whether the boockage is further up maybe? 
Surely if it's in the main waste pipes outside both Would be blocked. 

Potentially, if they both drain into the same pipe externally, at differing ends of the house they may join the external pipe in differing locations with a blockage in between. I would lift the cover and see what you get?

Once open and apparently clear, shout at someone inside to flush and make sure you get the expected flow at all locations. If you see it backing up between 2 inspection holes that's where your problem is. Could be partial collapse and or roots, doesn't take much to start the blockage. 

If downstairs flows and clears OK then likely in the external soil pipe, gain access as advised before but beware the deluge!

It's not nice to do but have a look at the material in the blockage and be critical about what you flush, especially wet wipes etc

FreeBear

BikingBud said: It's not nice to do but have a look at the material in the blockage and be critical about what you flush, especially wet wipes etc

Wet wipes, even the ones that claim to be flushable, should never be put down the toilet.

You should also be very wary of using random chemicals in an attempt to clear a blockage. For example, mixing bleach with an acid (e.g. vinegar)can release dangerous levels of chlorine gas which does nasty things to your lungs if you breath it in.

NornIronRose

Only thin loo paper goes down. I don't even buy the quilted stuff any more as I heard from a plumber on the radio years ago that it isn't good for loos.  
Pretty sure both go into the same external pipe. Don't think there would be this over that side of the house either. 
Will see if I can lift the manhole cover and have a go myself.  If not,  I will wait til after the long weekend and get a plumber in. 

NornIronRose

Update.
Great plumber came and has determined that it is the main sewer that is completely blocked. 
Thankfully it is a joint sewer so will be covered by the local water company. 
Need to get them out but have 2 viewings on the house tomorrow afternoon. Not sure how quickly they will come out. And if having the drains unblocked would raise a red flag with viewers. 

NornIronRose

What would you do? 

ashe

NornIronRose said:

What would you do? 

I would ask EA to reschedule the viewings. Last thing you want is them looking in the toilet and it smelling of poo, or having to tell them the sewer is blocked - some buyers may not mind but some will -just say something has come up, and get onto the water board ASAP. If theyre going to be ages then you can consider having them come view with caveats. 

NornIronRose

Thanks Ashe. Nothing smells or looks bad so viewings are going ahead. 

NornIronRose

Water board coming tonight. 

NornIronRose

All unblocked thank goodness. Turns out that the tenants next door have noticed problems for 6-9 months and didn't inform their landlord or do anything else!