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

ginger_chocolate

hahaha

no.

grassmarket

You probably caused this blockage yourself - by not using the bathroom. If unused, the water in the U bend evaporates. Without enough water - even a small amount of ‘debris’ sent down the drain can get stuck & not flush away properly. Instead it can build up & cause a blockage - as you’ve discovered. But most important of all - the water in the U bend prevents nasty niffs escaping up from outside drains/sewers into your bathroom! 

So, for any under-used bathroom, the answer is: flush sinks, showers & loos at least once/week. Same goes with washing machines & other plumbed appliances. All have U bends that require regular use to prevent blockages, smells & other problems, 

And - instead of blaming your friend - you should probably thank them! Not only have they caused you to understand (& hopefully improve) your sanitary hygiene - but also they flushed the loo. That will have prevented an even worse blockage or smell for you to deal with than a mere sink! 

hannerrbabes

If you don't use that bathroom, how do you know it wasn't blocked before the friend stayed?

AnnieVeeBee

Agree with everyone else - use a drain unblocker or unscrew the u-bend and clear it yourself - it's not rocket science. I think you might find yourself with one less friend if you ask her to pay!

Skiddaw1

If a genuine dilemma, I'd hazard a guess there's more behind it. I wonder if the friend perhaps proved to be a bit of a PITA during the time she stayed, and/or rather took the whole thing for granted? If so, I can understand if the OP is feeling (possibly unconciously) a bit resentful hence jumping to the conclusion that the drain blockage is down to the friend.

JayD

Short answer: NO!

kags

I’d deal with the unblocking myself: if it’s beyond YouTube and drain unblocked I’d take the hit with the plumber myself.
Then, as it was a friend that was staying, I’d apologise profusely to her in case she had any problems with the drains while she was saying, and “why on Earth didn’t you say something sooner, I’d have fixed it for you”.  You may then discover she had problems all along, or she might admit that something happened.
Guess it depends how good friends you really are.

deannagone

This happens occasionally with us, when my son is a bit enthusiastic with the toilet paper.  I absolutely hate the job but put on gloves, use a reshaped wire coat hanger to fish out whatever's in the ubend, place it in a sealed plastic bag throw that out and flush.  Takes 2 mins even if my mind is revolted by the job lolol.

I must have a ubend that can't clear itself very well,  A complete pain but relatively easy to sort.

MalMonroe

No. Because that's going to be one less friend you have.  Not worth it. Those chemicals work. 

MalMonroe

deannagone said:

This happens occasionally with us, when my son is a bit enthusiastic with the toilet paper.  I absolutely hate the job but put on gloves, use a reshaped wire coat hanger to fish out whatever's in the ubend, place it in a sealed plastic bag throw that out and flush.  Takes 2 mins even if my mind is revolted by the job lolol.

I must have a ubend that can't clear itself very well,  A complete pain but relatively easy to sort.

I'd not be able to do that.

What I would be able to do is talk to my son about his use of toilet paper and if that didn't work and he blocked the loo then it would be him heading to the smallest room with rubber gloves, coat hanger, plastic bag and fishing round the bend. He'd soon stop the overuse of paper - which is bad for the environment anyway - and would hopefully make more of an effort in future. Relatively easy to sort out for him, it's his mess. I wouldn't be able to do it.