Dirty water comes up the downstairs shower drain when the downstairs sink is emptied. Is this a problem, other than being annoying?

[JonnyH12]

We have an electric shower in the downstairs toilet, that is rarely used. It was installed by the previous owners.

When the sink is filled and the plug taken out, water comes up the shower drain and its usually full of black gunk.

We have a persistent smell of sewer in the house that we havent been able to figure out, despite numerous drain surveys and flushes.

Is the water coming up like this a sign of poor deaign, and is it likely to be causing any issues?

 

[endecotp]

What have the people who did the surveys and flushes said about this? Did you tell them about it?

 

[Scally-Ho]

When you say 'sink' do you mean the kitchen sink or a hand basin in the cloakroom where the shower is situated?

 

[JonnyH12]

What have the people who did the surveys and flushes said about this? Did you tell them about it?

Yes i did. None of them have been able to spot anything suspect, but they have all come from the outside manhole and havent been able to look at the plumbing direcrly under the shower or after.

 

[JonnyH12]

When you say 'sink' do you mean the kitchen sink or a hand basin in the cloakroom where the shower is situated?

I mean hand basin in the cloakroom, not the kitchen sink.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Then you need to trace where the basin waste discharges and then you will probably find the problem that is causing back-up into your shower tray.
A good strong power pump should shift most sluggish/partially blocked pipework and that would be my first to use.

Monument Professional Power Plunger

Comes with 3 adaptors which should fit most shower, bath, basin, and bidet wastes. When Pumping the MON2161 unit in situ, it will build up pressure which is then activated via the trigger to blast away the blockage.When the trigger is pulled quickly the compressed air is discharged at once...

www.toolstation.com

 

[endecotp]

Are the waste pipe routes from the shower and basin visible, or are they hidden away? Post some photos.

 

[JonnyH12]

Are the waste pipe routes from the shower and basin visible, or are they hidden away? Post some photos.

Hidden away under tiles. Final picture is back of the basin.

 

[JonnyH12]

Then you need to trace where the basin waste discharges and then you will probably find the problem that is causing back-up into your shower tray.
A good strong power pump should shift most sluggish/partially blocked pipework and that would be my first to use.

Monument Professional Power Plunger

Comes with 3 adaptors which should fit most shower, bath, basin, and bidet wastes. When Pumping the MON2161 unit in situ, it will build up pressure which is then activated via the trigger to blast away the blockage.When the trigger is pulled quickly the compressed air is discharged at once...

www.toolstation.com

We have had the drain flushed from outside, but not from the sink/shower side.

Do you think there's likely a blockage, rather than poor plumbing? I haven't noticed any draining issues, other than the water coming up when a full sink is emptied. Just running the basin tap doesnt do it.

 

[endecotp]

Is that an external wall? Where do the pipes go?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Check your manholes for a blockage.

Andy

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Basin and shower are on the same run, which is blocked downstream of the shower. Is there any pipework visible externally, or is it all hidden underneath the floor internally? If you can get at it outside, then I'd look at breaking into the run at a suitable point and use a mechanical method to clean the pipes out.

If that is possible, then I'd start by blocking off the basin waste, (put plug in and stuff a wet cloth tightly into the overflow), and try a wet vac on the shower plughole and see what you can pull back out. It may well be poor design allowing a load of crud to sit in the pipework, which is slowly decomposing and giving off a rather offensive aroma...