Waste pipe problems in bathroom

[maj3091]

Hi,

I had new bathroom and ensuite suites fitted last August and i've had problems with them ever since that I'm still waiting on the plumber to come out and look at, and I was hoping to get some advice as to whether it's something wrong or whether I'm seeing something that isn't there.

Anyway, the suites where replaced like for like (as far as positioning goes), so nothing has moved and no pipes moved as such.

The ensuite backs onto the main bathroom with the waste running in the following order:

1. Ensuite sink connects to shower and goes through wall to main bathroom, which then connects to the bath and sink, then to soil stack.

The problems I have are as follows:

1. When the bath drains, it's very slow. It has a pop-up plug, which I can remove, which in effect leaves a big whole and it's still slow. I'm not a plumber, so forgive my none technical terms here, but the old bath, when the plug was pulled out, i'd get a whirlpool above the plug and it would just go, like it was being sucked out. With this new one, I don't get that, it just stays level, with the odd attempt at the whirlpool and it just drains at it's own pace.

2. When the sink or bath is emptied in the main bathroom completely, I can here glugging and dripping echoing through the waste pipe in the ensuite shower. I never had any of this type of noise with the old system.

I'm in the process of taking action to get the plumber back, but would appreciate some opinions on this so I don' t have the wool pulled over my eyes.

 

[Richard C]

Daisy chaining waste connections into a single stack connection is not best practice; ideally they should all have separate stack connections but if they don’t you will need one or more AAAV’s or anti siphon/HepVo traps on the appliances; it would also benefit from a 50mm waste run after the shower. If the “plumber” has merely connected the new appliances to the existing waste runs, he will probably say it’s not his fault but a bona fide tradesman would be aware of the potential problems with such a stack connection & taken steps accordingly or at least advised you what to do about it. I would, however, have thought the problems would have existed previously unless you originally had anti-siphon traps, he’s skipped them & just fitted ordinary traps; if so, it won't comply with Buildin Regs. if the unvented brach length exceed's the max for the size of waste pipe.

 

[maj3091]

Daisy chaining waste connections into a single stack connection is not best practice; ideally they should all have separate stack connections but if they don’t you will need one or more AAAV’s or anti siphon/HepVo traps on the appliances; it would also benefit from a 50mm waste run after the shower. If the “plumber” has merely connected the new appliances to the existing waste runs, he will probably say it’s not his fault but a bona fide tradesman would be aware of the potential problems with such a stack connection & taken steps accordingly or at least advised you what to do about it. I would, however, have thought the problems would have existed previously unless you originally had anti-siphon traps, he’s skipped them & just fitted ordinary traps; if so, it won't comply with Buildin Regs. if the unvented brach length exceed's the max for the size of waste pipe.

Richard, thanks for taking the time to get back to me. To be honest some of the tech-speak was over my head, but I get the gist of what you're saying.

To my knowledge he is a bona-fide tradesman (at least I hope so as he fit a combi boiler at the same time), so as the expert should have pointed out any potential pit-falls to me.

I just wanted an opinion as I'm trying to get him to come back to look at the issues.

 

[Richard C]

To be honest some of the tech-speak was over my head, but I get the gist of what you're saying.

Hardly anything technical involved, just understanding; tell me which bit are “over your head” & I’ll explain in more detail.

 

[Nige F]

Daisy chaining waste connections saying.

To my knowledge he is a bona-fide tradesman (at least I hope so as he fit a combi boiler at the same time),
.

He may be an exellent Gas Safe boiler fitter- that don`t make him a plumber, just a Superior being

 

[Richard C]

Daisy chaining waste connections saying.

To my knowledge he is a bona-fide tradesman (at least I hope so as he fit a combi boiler at the same time),
.

He may be an exellent Gas Safe boiler fitter- that don`t make him a plumber, just a Superior being

 

[maj3091]

To be honest some of the tech-speak was over my head, but I get the gist of what you're saying.

Hardly anything technical involved, just understanding; tell me which bit are “over your head” & I’ll explain in more detail.

Sorry mate, I work with computers, so I'm OK in my field. Just the AAAAAV thing and anti-syphon HepVo traps was over my head.

I'm guessing this is to stop it "sucking" the water from the other U bends? (Leaving myself open to be laughed at there! ).

I just assumed that if the u bend was filled with water as they normally are, then I shouldn't hear anything echoing through the pipes?

 

[Richard C]

Just the AAAAAV thing

Automatic Air Inlet Valve – Google it for what one looks like

and anti-syphon HepVo traps was over my head.

Just another way of letting air into the waste pipe via the trap, sometimes a much better solution; again, Google for a pic

I'm guessing this is to stop it "sucking" the water from the other U bends? (Leaving myself open to be laughed at there! ).

Yes & no, why should you be; those that riducule honest questions (not to be confused with stupidity) on Forums are just really sad **** s & best ignored

I just assumed that if the u bend was filled with water as they normally are, then I shouldn't hear anything echoing through the pipes?

Water flow needs air to function & if it can’t get into the waste pipe via a vent then negative pressure will build in the pipe to such an extent it will suck the water from the most vulnerable trap.

Sorry mate, I work with computers, so I'm OK in my field.

No apology needed; incidentally, I’m also pretty good with computers.

 

[maj3091]

Just the AAAAAV thing

Automatic Air Inlet Valve – Google it for what one looks like

and anti-syphon HepVo traps was over my head.

Just another way of letting air into the waste pipe via the trap, sometimes a much better solution; again, Google for a pic

I'm guessing this is to stop it "sucking" the water from the other U bends? (Leaving myself open to be laughed at there! ).

Yes & no, why should you be; those that riducule honest questions (not to be confused with stupidity) on Forums are just really sad **** s & best ignored

I just assumed that if the u bend was filled with water as they normally are, then I shouldn't hear anything echoing through the pipes?

Water flow needs air to function & if it can’t get into the waste pipe via a vent then negative pressure will build in the pipe to such an extent it will suck the water from the most vulnerable trap.

Sorry mate, I work with computers, so I'm OK in my field.

No apology needed; incidentally, I’m also pretty good with computers.

Thanks for the clarification, it's appreciated.

I guess the last statement makes you a smart-arse then! (just messing).

 

[Richard C]

I guess the last statement makes you a smart-a**e then! (just messing).

Maybe but I wasn’t bragging, it’s just that I know about all sorts of obscure things from a previous working life; not messing