Soil Stack

[frank999]

Hi,
I built a loft extension on my property.
Since I started using the loft toilet (on second floor) a year ago I have experienced 3 toilet blockages with the 1st floor toilet (a close coupled toilet).
I suspect one of the tenants in the property maybe putting 'wet wipes' or sanitary products down the 1st floor toilet and causing the blockage, but I can't say for certain.
I use an auger on it and the problem goes away - until next time, I also wonder if 'soil' has become impacted onto the walls of the drain, the soil is all over the auger end - even after a good few plunges and screws - it looks like clay, is it possible for soil to stick to the sides of the stack entry and the junction pipes.
The Auger is going in about 2-3 feet, so I get the feeling something near the junction maybe causing an obstruction, but I can only guess.

I also want to make sure nothing in my stack layout is contributing, any comments appreciated.

 

[75pete]

Its possible that the White pipe shown is the problem IF it been incorrectly fitted .i.e part blocking the main stack if to long and not fitted flush in the boss.

 

[Nige F]

, I also wonder if 'soil' has become impacted onto the walls of the drain, the soil is all over the auger end - even after a good few plunges and screws - **it looks like clay,** .

Someone's got gall bladder trouble.

 

[Ian H]

Does the 1st floor toilet level raise when the loft toilet is flushed or is the blockage local to the 1st floor toilet?

 

[John D v2.0]

If the blockage is behind the first floor loo t get it off the wall and have a look at what's going on. I suspect a dodgy joint not providing the required sweep and bore, but there could always be a brick lodged in there for all we know!

 

[frank999]

Thanks all.
The white pipe inlet is above the problem, so I guess its not that, but point taken.
I did wonder if something was lodged inside the soil stack or around the 1st floor toilet joint - guess only way is to take a look, and the obvious is to take out the pan ....

Just bought a cheap USB water proof camera to take a look down the stack, - there could quite possibly be a half brick down there from the loft build !:

Looks like people are making there own drain camera's:

Android Micro USB Endoscope 5mm 6 LED Waterproof Borescope Inspection Camera
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172829947275

 

[frank999]

Thanks for the tip on the snake camera - handy, the USB camera on a 5/10mt cable I tried wasn't much use - i think I suffered the same issue you outlined - too much glare - didn't see how to turn the light down, but then I didnt use the app that came with it (reporting back to its Chinese mothership).

However - I eventually found the cause of the repeated blockages ...

This will sound bizarre - but:
https://www.healthline.com/health/why-is-my-poop-so-big-it-clogs-the-toilet
At the time the property had a rather large (obese) chap renting it ... it took two of us to release and capture the blockage as it entered the manhole - and it turned out to be poo !
Yes the chaps poo was like clay ! solid, so combined with what I can only assume a movement befitting his girth, it was causing the blockage.
That was way back in 2018, the tenant left shortly after this, and the problem has never returned.

His diet contributed I am also sure - he lived on a diet of delivered take aways - he would dispose of the receipts - and upon glancing at them the size of portion was huge - like he was eating for 3 adults, Mc Donalds and Kebab seemed his prefer dietary choice.

He admitted he had a problem, and am glad he moved out, he had a funny incidence and was taken to hospital just before he went.

Ironically - I then had another tenant in another property - a thin Asian chap who's stool was like an express train - so long and wide he couldn't flush it down, how he passed such a thing I don't know ... any how he caused few arguments in the property with fellow sharers - and I gave him a special stick (that he kept in the garden - in a bag) to break it up and get it down the toilet. Fortunately he has also left now.m

Again - he had a terrible diet.

Its just gluttony surely ?

I watched a program on Youtube about our (UK) diet in the 1950's, and life style habits ... plates were several inches smaller, we ate meat just once a week, houses were colder, food had no preservatives, flavourings or colouring - it was food - not a product - yet we were slimmer and fitter.

 

[endecotp]

too much glare - didn't see how to turn the light down

Click on your ebay link, and in the image there is a rectangular box near the phone end of the lead. It has a small dial on the side, which adjusts the brightness.