Blocked Kitchen sink - HELP!!

[Jetl3on]

Morning all,

kick started the Washing Machine last night, but when it got to the draining part of the cycle, water overflowed from the kitchen sink onto the floor, everwhere in a matter of seconds.

Drained the WM, Sink and removed all the U bends, no sign of a blockage, reconnected everything and ran the taps, water not draining away. Shoved some of that Mr Muscle De-blocking stuff down the plug hole to no avail.

The waste pipework descends into the back of the kitchen into oblivion and cannot be accessed to check further down the pipework.
How do problems just pop out of nowhere, I dont throw food, grease or any non-soluble waste down the pipes.

The geezer downstairs does not have any problems with drainage, so it is just my problem, anyone have any experience in these matters, would be appreciated.
Im thinking some kind of bendy pipe to shove down it maybe? What would a plumber do if I called them out, apart from charge alot, that i can do DIY until it gets more serious?

Rgds
Jet

[kambites]

Well it obviously must be blocked somewhere below where the washing machine's and sink's waste pipes merge but above where your neighbour's pipes join the system. Can you get into the pipe at the point where the silk and washing machine join in order to shove a broom handle or something down it?

[Eric Mc]

We had a similar problem with an upstairs bathroom sink.

We finally cleared the blockage using a compressed gas device. This is available from places like B & Q and works by sending a pulse of high pressure air down the pipe. There is enough gas in the cannister for up to ten "goes".

[Cara Van Man]

Eric Mc said:

We had a similar problem with an upstairs bathroom sink.

We finally cleared the blockage using a compressed gas device. This is available from places like B & Q and works by sending a pulse of high pressure air down the pipe. There is enough gas in the cannister for up to ten "goes".

Cool.

Any good for piles?

[Puff Puff]

Here, borrow this:

[Jetl3on]

kambites said:

Well it obviously must be blocked somewhere below where the washing machine's and sink's waste pipes merge but above where your neighbour's pipes join the system. Can you get into the pipe at the point where the silk and washing machine join in order to shove a broom handle or something down it?

Unfortunately not no, as usual with these things it is a fitted kitchen and access for anything longer than a pencil is limited.

[paulmurr]

What Puff Puff said, an old fashioned plunger works well. I know, I had to unblock a toilet at the weekend.


I still feel dirty though

[Jetl3on]

Eric Mc said:

We had a similar problem with an upstairs bathroom sink.

We finally cleared the blockage using a compressed gas device. This is available from places like B & Q and works by sending a pulse of high pressure air down the pipe. There is enough gas in the cannister for up to ten "goes".

Sounds similar to the handy can of compressed Air I keep in the trunk of the car. After being quoted £110 for 45minutes plumbers fees , I will give this a try first.

[hugoagogo]

big flexi rod thing with various ends on, a thing like two corkscrews for getting big blockages out

you can probably hire them too

[Jetl3on]

paulmurr said:

What Puff Puff said, an old fashioned plunger works well. I know, I had to unblock a toilet at the weekend.


I still feel dirty though

Yes, tried that, just ended up getting a soaking, when a jet of water shot from the overflow pipe at the top of the sink

[Jetl3on]

hugoagogo said:

big flexi rod thing with various ends on, a thing like two corkscrews for getting big blockages out

you can probably hire them too

Is it called a Flexi rod do you know?

[hugoagogo]

Jetl3on said:

hugoagogo said:

big flexi rod thing with various ends on, a thing like two corkscrews for getting big blockages out

you can probably hire them too

Is it called a Flexi rod do you know?

flexible drain rods, like chimney sweeping rods, you screw them together

dynorod etc have a big reel that they poke down

link here, like these
http://www.shop4tools.co.uk/acatalog/Drain_Pipe_Un...

they also have the auger type thingies that attach to a drill, spins a metal rod inside a plastic sleeve

Edited by hugoagogo on Wednesday 27th August 10:08

[NiceCupOfTea]

hugoagogo said:

Jetl3on said:

hugoagogo said:

big flexi rod thing with various ends on, a thing like two corkscrews for getting big blockages out

you can probably hire them too

Is it called a Flexi rod do you know?

flexible drain rods, like chimney sweeping rods, you screw them together

dynorod etc have a big reel that they poke down

link here, like these
http://www.shop4tools.co.uk/acatalog/Drain_Pipe_Un...

they also have the auger type thingies that attach to a drill, spins a metal rod inside a plastic sleeve

Edited by hugoagogo on Wednesday 27th August 10:08

I got one of those from machine mart, under a tenner I think.

[Nevin]

hugoagogo said:

Jetl3on said:

hugoagogo said:

big flexi rod thing with various ends on, a thing like two corkscrews for getting big blockages out

you can probably hire them too

Is it called a Flexi rod do you know?

flexible drain rods, like chimney sweeping rods, you screw them together

dynorod etc have a big reel that they poke down

link here, like these
http://www.shop4tools.co.uk/acatalog/Drain_Pipe_Un...

they also have the auger type thingies that attach to a drill, spins a metal rod inside a plastic sleeve

Edited by hugoagogo on Wednesday 27th August 10:08

Too big for putting down your pipes from the kitchen sink end though. For that you need the Monument Wire Drain Cleaner further down that page.

[The Walrus]

if that does not work use a piece of old hose warm it up first so it is flexible as it can be hard if it has not been used in a while.

Worked a treat when I had a blockage in our toilet and the plunger was not working, gave enough room to allow water through and freed up enough space so that the blockage disappeared.

[hugoagogo]

Nevin said:

Too big for putting down your pipes from the kitchen sink end though. For that you need the Monument Wire Drain Cleaner further down that page.

i was thinking that he could take the u bend bit out and get in that way, under the sink

[Puff Puff]

Jetl3on said:

paulmurr said:

What Puff Puff said, an old fashioned plunger works well. I know, I had to unblock a toilet at the weekend.


I still feel dirty though

Yes, tried that, just ended up getting a soaking, when a jet of water shot from the overflow pipe at the top of the sink

You're supposed to block the overflow when plunging!

[Wings]

You may possibly find that the blockage is in the outside drain, where the inside waste /drain pipes enter into the outside drain.

Soap powder, hot fat, once allowed to go cold will solidified, and since after entering the outside drain, the fat, soap powder enters a “S” bend, where once solidified will build up until the “S” bend is completely blocked.

Caught “early” the “S” bend can be either rodded or treated with a drain cleaner/caustic soda/drain acid, caught too late, then the only answer is to replace the “S” bend.

[69fastback]

I've had the same problem a couple of times, and a double dose of caustic soda (a few quid from your local hardware shop, follow instructions carefully!) has always sorted it out.

[slow_poke]

Tool hire shop, 1 litre bottle of 99% acid drain clearer. Killer stuff.