Gurgling toilet

[unionworkeruk]

I noticed the outside drain was overflowing and cleared a load of muck out of the base and the sinks then flowed OK plus a few dozen litres of water flowed straight down without a problem.

I then checked the downstairs toilet and noticed after a flushing it with water the level dropped and stared gurgling. I have flushed it with hot water,stuck a coat hanger up it and poured Mr Muscle drain cleaner down it.

Water now drains quickly but it still gurgles and the level is still below normal.

Is there anything more I can do or is it a job for the professionals and what do I need to keep an eye out for to make sure they are professionals and do not take me for a ride.

What sort of cost should I expect ? Thanks

 

[Newboy]

Take a look at any inspection chambers and see if you can identify the location of the blockage. If you've go a set of drain rods it's always worth a go to see if it's a simple blockage.

 

[Mottie]

When I had that with a toilet in my garage, it turned out to be a blocked drain.

 

[HERTS P&D]

You have a blocked manhole.

Andy

 

[unionworkeruk]

The problem I have is that there is no visible manhole cover at the back of the house

The water flows as fast as normal from the pan when flushed and there is no blockage in the internal pipe as I have checked with a plumbers snake so you are right it is a problem outside

It did seem to clear overnight and the water rose to the normal level but after a couple of flushes to check. It then reverted to the lower level and the gurgling returned.

Or could it just be a problem with the air vent pipe on the wall going up to the roof which is covered ?

What sort of cost am I facing to call out a plumber (Is that the trade, as I cannot see drainage specialists listed on My Builder etc?) to locate the manhole and/or clear/find out the cause of the gurgling ?

I am willing to dig up part of the concrete anyway to locate the manhole as it should not have been covered in the first place. Strangely none of my neighbours have one visible either, so where do I start digging ?

Thanks

 

[Ian H]

If you can take the toilet out a drain guy could cctv down from there.

If it's a soft blockage his camera will clear it, if it's a solid blockage he could jet it (if he has balls of steel or is stupid) or he could probe to the point his camera stops and dig there.

Is your soil pipe internal?

 

[unionworkeruk]

The toilet is on the ground floor and just turns at the back of the toilet (no S bend)and the pipe simply goes into the wall and seems to disappear under concrete outside and thats the problem. I am told it connects to the main sewer in the garden somewhere.

I think it would be easy to take out as it was a cowboy who put it in.

 

[Nige F]

The toilet is on the ground floor and just turns at the back of the toilet (no S bend)and the pipe simply goes into the wall and seems to disappear under concrete outside .

You need to dig and uncover the pipe after it goes through the wall, next to the wall. then follow it along and dig a hole along the line - that should lead you to a manhole. You'll pay £100 for a clean and £?? for a cctv. Dig a couple of holes and post us the pictures

 

[unionworkeruk]

I have just phoned Thames Water and they tell me I dont have a manhole in my backgarden and it probably connects through one next door ! Now that could be a problem.

They are coming round to have look tomorrow and try find their pipes...So who knows.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I bet your neighbor has a problem also. With no manhole on your boundary then this becomes the problem to TW, who will clear it for free.

Let us know.

Andy

 

[unionworkeruk]

|I am trying to contact her or we will have to climb over back fence to get to it .

Hopefully it will save me money and find out where the waste pipes are. I had a similar problem with my stop valve at the front of the house. There wasnt one. We found it two doors down outside someone else's house.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Don't climb over the fence, make sure the neighbour is allowing you access.

Also fit an internal stopcok.

Andy