Anyone got blocked drains knowledge?

[Chuckles1066]

Hope someone knows something about the mystery that are drains and the sewerage system

I live in a mid-terrace house, the two end terraces properties have manhole covers about 12 feet from the houses.

(a) You lift them up and you can tell if the sewer is blocked correct?

We did that on Friday, they were empty (as are both properties hence how we could do so) but we were getting all sorts of nasties bubbling back up through our drain.

(b) So between our house and the sewer are a series of pipes connecting to the sewer? By series, I mean guttering from the roof, soil pipe and pipe from the kitchen sink.

Having paid £259 for the privilege of a national company clearing the blockage (including CCTV hire etc etc), we find today that the problem has reoccurred.

(c) The sewer is clear so is the problem definitely between our property and there? How could a blockage reform so quickly? Is it possible the pipework between the house and the sewer have collapsed or something?

Any thoughts before I get the cheque book out?

Thanks in advance.

 

[B1N9S]

Hi Chuckles,
Yes it is quite possible that a pipe has broken causing your deposits to back up.
But that surely should have been picked up with a camera ?

 

[B1N9S]

Hi again Chuckles,
Is the blockage on your property ?

I would hire/loan some drainage rods, get a rough idea where the blockage is and providing I never had to go through anything too destructive, get out a shovel and dig down to the pipe to investigate.

Is this a realistic solution or not ? I had a similar issue at my house with a broken pipe where it exited a manhole on my driveway. (Nightmare). But with no previous experience I demolished the old manhole and have replaced it with a new plastic one (easy job) and the section of broken pipework, even adding a new section for an ensuite while I was at it !!! And the LABC have inspected and passed my work.

Drains are not rocket science, but can seem that way !!! If you had to replace a small section of straight pipe, you could diy for less than £50. Length of pipe and some good quality couplers and some elbow grease !!!

 

[Chuckles1066]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes the blockage is on this property.

Digging down isn't a solution for me, we have a patio so I'm at the mercy of whoever we choose to fix it.

The last lot my wife got in were 1st Active Plumbing who I have since discovered have appeared on Watchdog.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Digging down isn't a solution for me, we have a patio

What's the patio made of?

 

[libby lou lou]

How long has the patio (concrete ?) been there ?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I'd be extremely concerned as to why the blockage 're-occurred' so suddenly, especially after a CCTV survey!

CCTV survey would show any problems with the drain and should the pipes have collapsed or otherwise failed I would have expected the contractor to be trying to sell you some repairs....

Have you been given a copy of the CCTV survey? If not, ask for one (you've paid for it.) For the drain to have blocked again so quickly it either didnt get unblocked properly in the first place, or there is a serious fault in the drain (which would be apparent on the CCTV footage.)

I wouldn't even consider entertaining the bunch of clowns you used last week again, get a second opinion. Whereabouts are you? Someone from here may be able to recommend someone trustworthy.

 

[Chuckles1066]

Thanks again for the replies, especially Hugh.

The patio is concrete slabs and has been down since we've lived here (1987).

I'm just outside Bristol, I've told the wife to cancel 1st Active returning (apparently they want to charge again "because they cleared it first time, there must be a more serious problem") and get Wessex Water in.

I have visions of the patio getting ripped up at this rate

Any other thoughts appreciated.

 

[Tinitus]

There are usually small independents with pressure jet machines that charge about £80 look in your local paper or phone the council in case they can help or phone up your local plumber he will probably have a contact number for a drain specialist. Good luck

 

[Chuckles1066]

Well the update is 1st Active slammed the phone down on my wife when she told them not to bother and Wessex say if the problem's in the sewer they'll clear it but if it's in the drains then we need to get a contractor in.

So if anyone can recommend someone who works in the North Bristol area, I'm all ears

 

[roustabout]

The water authourity are now responsable for all drains in the streeet up to your house including the section across your path, lawn or driveway call them in.

Hope someone knows something about the mystery that are drains and the sewerage system

I live in a mid-terrace house, the two end terraces properties have manhole covers about 12 feet from the houses.

(a) You lift them up and you can tell if the sewer is blocked correct?

We did that on Friday, they were empty (as are both properties hence how we could do so) but we were getting all sorts of nasties bubbling back up through our drain.

(b) So between our house and the sewer are a series of pipes connecting to the sewer? By series, I mean guttering from the roof, soil pipe and pipe from the kitchen sink.

Having paid £259 for the privilege of a national company clearing the blockage (including CCTV hire etc etc), we find today that the problem has reoccurred.

(c) The sewer is clear so is the problem definitely between our property and there? How could a blockage reform so quickly? Is it possible the pipework between the house and the sewer have collapsed or something?

Any thoughts before I get the cheque book out?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Chuckles1066]

Result!

Wessex did the necessary, the guy was here four hours trying all sorts and had worked out exactly where the blockage was - his mate pitched up, gave the soil pipe half a dozen hefty kicks, lifted it out and lo and behold there was the blockage.

£102. Absolutely flawless performance, recommended to everyone.

Now I just need to set about getting my money back from 1st Active <spit>.

I feel a MCOL claim coming on.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Water Authority are responsible for all shared drains, any section of drain serving one property is still the responsibility of the property owner. http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.1278

Did 1st bunch arrive on horseback? I cant see as they could have possibly cleared it, for it to block 'again' so quickly. To charge for a return visit the next day to sort out what they've already claimed to have done (and charged for) is a downright cheek! I'd still insist on a copy of the DVD of the survey, although no doubt they'll want an additional fee for that. (If they dont claim copyright or similar and say they cant supply it....)

Might help with your claim for a refund, hence why I suspect they may be reluctant to hand it over! (Thats assuming they actually did a survey and didnt just charge for it....)

 

[OwainDIYer]

The patio is concrete slabs and has been down since we've lived here (1987).

They'll come up easily and go back down again and you'll hardly know they've been moved.

If you'd answered imprinted concrete I'd have expressed sympathy then run away laughing.