Blocked Kitchen Sink (probably a basic question)

[redrabbit]

Below is a picture of the plumbing area of my kitchen sink. It's always been a little slow to drain but now it's entirely blocked up.

The area marked in red which I think is the waste bit, I can unscrew. When that happens all the water gushes out and the sink clears. If I run the water without that bit attached again, it all flows through.

Therefore, I think the blockage may be in the pipe running off to the side?

The green bit is the pipe from the washing machine. I mention that as the other day the whole sink filled up with dirty water from the washing machine - I believe this is REALLY COMMON.

A few questions:

1) Do you know what area of the plumbing may be at fault?

2) Do you think it's a problem with the washing machine?

3) I'm really apprehensive about disconnecting the pipes. Do you think it's worth just disconnecting them all and cleaning each one out?

4) A plumber once told me in passing that the sink was really poorly laid out in terms of the way it was fitted in - would you agree?

Thanks everyone,

 

[alan333]

Try filling the sink an inch or so and working an old fashioned plunger on it first.

 

[bernardgreen]

Try filling the sink an inch or so and working an old fashioned plunger on it first.

With a cloth covering the over flow hole in the sink. Otherwise a good plunge action will squirt dirty water out of the over flow. Can score a direct hit on the face of the person plunging.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

The plumbing isnt too bad, seen an awful lot worse! Where does it go once its through the wall? If the sink is filling when the washing machine discharges then the problem lies in the section of pipework in the wall or beyond. If you could put a picture up of the pipework beyond the wall then we can advise you further.

 

[75pete]

Ok, your pipe work is not that bad.
It's easy to undo and clean the trap and pipes seen.
So, take a couple of pictures of the layout and with something to catch the water from the trap, remove it.
Now remove the other bits of pipe and note the washers that will be at each connection. If you loose any washers, it's a trip to a diy or other shop to buy. Once clean, reassemble and do up the connections by hand. Run the water slowly and check for leaks.

 

[copea]

If the sink is filling when the washing machine discharges then the problem lies in the section of pipework in the wall or beyond.

What he said.

 

[nortonj]

Your plumber was right pipework looks awful.
The white 1" 1/2 pipe to the left of the bottle trap looks to be running uphill, this will not help.
Also i wouldn't personally fit a bottle trap on a sink.

 

[redrabbit]

UPDATE

Well a plunger worked in the bathroom sink upstairs but kitchen sink is still blocked up.

Today i tried the following with no luck:

- I spent shout 5-6 hours re plumbing the whole thing - my first DIY achievement in terms of actually doing it. I cut pipes and everything haha.

- bought really powerful drain cleaner. Industrial strength. No luck

- plunged it repeatedly. No luck

Plumber time I guess? Anything else you think i should try?

 

[ree]

1. Tell any plumber who comes to work on the installation that you've put volatile and possibly dangerous chemicals down the waste. Dont use that stuff - ever.

2. Replace the bottle trap (as suggested above) with a P-trap. All pipes must fall.

3. Re-jig the washing machine hose to run high, tight to the work top, and only drop on to the connection stub at the last minute. Cut/shorten the hose if necessary.

4. Can you see the wastes from the basin and the sink on the outside walls?

5. If the sink plumbing is so amateurish, what about the rest of the plumbing?

 

[redrabbit]

1. Tell any plumber who comes to work on the installation that you've put volatile and possibly dangerous chemicals down the waste. Dont use that stuff - ever.

2. Replace the bottle trap (as suggested above) with a P-trap. All pipes must fall.

3. Re-jig the washing machine hose to run high, tight to the work top, and only drop on to the connection stub at the last minute. Cut/shorten the hose if necessary.

4. Can you see the wastes from the basin and the sink on the outside walls?

5. If the sink plumbing is so amateurish, what about the rest of the plumbing?

1. Noted - I wasn't aware that was an issue but will tell anyone coming round.

2. Yea will try and replace that - I actually didn't notice that suggestion till now

3. Sorry I don't understand this - your description sounds like my current setup?

4. I'm in an above ground maisonettes I can't see the outside wall really - well not easily anyway.

5. I'm surprised you describe my current plumbing set up as "amateurish". I asked if it looked really badly set up and the impression I got was it wasn't that bad. I mean yes it could be better and I want to improve it but the priority is to make the water drain quicker. But point taken

 

[redrabbit]

Sorry I just saw the other replies about the plumbing being bad. Not sure how but I missed that, I will change it ASAP

 

[nortonj]

I would be looking at where the drain terminates is it into a soil stack?a hopper head? Does the outside pipework fall correctly?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Why have you mentioned the bathroom 'sink' (it's always a basin in a bathroom for a plumber )/ Has this been causing problems too? We really need to know where that pipe goes after it passes through the wall please, and also if the bathroom basin is also blocking, where that goes. Pics would be even better if possible. (Of the pipework!)

Please, and I cannot stress this enough, protect your skin and eyes before doing anything else if dismantling or messing about with any of that pipework. The chemical you have used could possibly burn through skin, and blind you in seconds, it can be lethal if used incorrectly or allowed to mix with other materials!

 

[ree]

I can see what appears to be your w/m hose curling below the waste before going high to jubilee clip into a waste stub spigot?

 

[redrabbit]

I will take some pictures this morning and post them a bit later on the computer (I'm on phone at the minute).

this morning I discovered that the downstairs toilet BASIN is now filled with brown coloured water. This sink drains and is connected to the same main pipe as the kitchen.

If I drain the kitchen sink of water the bathroom one fills up.

So obviously I guess the issue is in the main pipe?

Will post pics in a minute. Going to call the plumber now I think