Money Moral Dilemma: Should I ask my friend to help pay to clear the drain I think she blocked?

Flipflop13

I’m going to guess that if it blocked within 3 weeks it’s possibly the shower drain from thick hair not being removed often enough, in which case the Mr Muscle drain unblocker will solve in 10 minutes. The more likely theory is it’s the toilet and she’s been putting wet wipes down there which yes will probably be a professional job if they have ended up further along the line. 

However as you say you can’t prove it and it’s possible something has been lodged in there a long time and the extra usage that is above the norm has caused the issues. Therefore no you shouldn’t be asking for a contribution. I’d be tempted to drop into conversation in the future that you have been unfortunate enough to have had issues with bathroom drains and see if she happens to say anything but at least it might !!!!!! her conscience if she knows full well she was putting wipes down the loo!

Flipflop13

My last comment was pr**k her conscience but the bots obviously don’t like it! 🤣

missaf

Would be very difficult to prove. I second what others said, YouTube videos, use traditional methods before using chemicals.

Ed264

Agree with most of the comments here. A strong drain un-blocker solution will do it. 

TamsinBrown

It feels to me you may be harbouring some resentment at "only" taking £100 from your friend to cover her staying at your house for 3 weeks.

honestcove

Yes you should - If your deal was for her to pay the additional bill, then this is an additional bill. Any suggestion that you should don a pair of marigolds and sort it yourself is just too ghastly to think about. Also, have a good scout around the house and see if there any other additional costs that might have popped up over those 3-weeks and can be recharged: wearing out of bed, carpets, white goods, general repointing just to name a few.

Shebear

Noooooooooo

jenniewb

MSE_Sarah said:

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

 I recently had a friend stay in my spare room for three weeks while she was between homes, and as it was for such a short time, I just asked for £100 to cover the extra bills. When she'd gone, I discovered the drain in the bathroom she was using is blocked (there are two bathrooms in my home, so I don't use this one). I now need to pay someone to unblock the drain as I'm not good at DIY. I obviously can't prove she blocked the drain, but should I ask her to pay towards the cost? 

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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I wouldn't ask her outright- though depending on the relationship I might... But I would ask her outright "what on Earth did you put through the drains? I had to hire someone to unblock them! I've never needed to do that before, I thought I was strong enough, but after trying a few times, I had to bail and buy in help!" 
Anyone with a degree of common sense would read between the lines here; ask what the outward balance was and at least offer something towards it. It's obvious they're not going to have that much to foot the gap with their own bills in the way of expenses (very few people don't incur more expenses when living away from home) but even if it's not possible to pay upfront, it's about offering something, even if it's to do a spring clean (or summer spritz clean!) or just a few rounds of drinks now and then. If they can't offer anything right now, don't think by not hinting at it that there wont be payment-in-kind for time and become. 

mimgable

No. If you took ‘rent’ of £100 a week (even if informally) for bills, then that is for all ‘bills’ the same as any landlord. All ‘tenants’ paying ‘rent’ do so on the basis this covers the expenses a landlord has maintaining the property, whatever the problem. +you have financially benefited/profited in some less ways(eg less to pay on utilities standing charges as her money will pay towards that etc). 

Again the blockage could have been building up over time, and could just have reached crisis point coincidentally. Try the advice re drain cleaning substance and unscrewing u bend if accessible eg sinks. Or undo plug drain if sink or shower, as could be just under that where stuff has gathered. When my sink blocks, it’s build up of gunk there not in u bend. Yes, YouTube is your friend here!😅. Only if that doesn’t work get a plumber in. I’d suggest if you go down the line of asking for money you’d be a friend down. Money issues are a friendship killer!

Magit

This has to be a joke, really who would really ask that of anyone, it’s part of being a home owner. 

As recommended before try one of the unblocking remedies first.