More blocked drains

[benbaaa]

I've just read Miggins' highly entertaining thread on how not to unblock drains, so please no repetition of the excellent advice he followed there.

We had our bathrooms re-tiled last October/September, and to cut a long story short, I think the idiots we employed allowed all kinds of crap to enter the drains via the shower plughole, which they didn't cover if we weren't watching them. The crap they let down there includes tile fragments, building dust and cement, probably cigarette butts and who-knows-what-else.

We noticed after they'd finished that large quantities of water in the sink disappeared slower than they had done previously, but we were so glad to see the back of the fuckwits we employed that we didn't ask them back. The water always drained away eventually, just slower than we'd like in a perfect world.

Recently, the drainage has deteriorated, so that water from the sinks does not flow through the drain to the outlet outside. It trickles down the wall at the junction with the drainpipe. No matter how much water you put down, nothing now emerges at the outside outlet, it stays completely dry.

There's not much point in trying caustic soda or commercial drain cleaners, 'cos we think the main problem is builder's rubble and cement. Will a drain snake (as mentioned in Miggins' thread) get through this, or do I need to employ another set of fuckwits to undo the damage the original fuckwits did? If so, anyone know anyone reliable in Chiang Mai?

[jandajoy]

Drain snakes are pretty to cheap. Worth giving it a go, I'd have thought.

[Bangyai]

Yep, drain snakes are the go. However, if you are sure it is builders rubble and tile fragments down there then you could have a war on your hands.

[DrAndy]

I am looking forward to a similar situation

it may be a bit late to try a high pressure hose down the drain

if you don't have any inspection covers or pipe that can be undone, you can try the drain snake thing

if that doesn't work, panic

or cut the pipe where convenient and clear the blockage,then mend it

[Happyman]

Just did a cheap and cheerful drain clearance only an hour ago !!.

Was at my mates house when he swept his yard.
Yard drain is about 2 meters long out into the street ( 1.5"dia blue plastic pipe set in the concrete with a couple of 30 degree bends in it .)
All sorts of bits of concrete chipping and muck went down the pipe as he had just done a bit if tile replacement- drain blocked.
We got an old speedo cable fron a honda wave.
cut half the outer casing off.
Hammered the end flat (like a screwdriver )
Using the remaining bit of outer as a guide and a Black and Decker drill on the other end - did the job in 15 mins !

[benbaaa]

Damn plumbing supplies shop is closed today. Update later in the week. I hope this snake thing works, 'cos the pipes are buried in the wall behind tiles...

[aging one]

Find the best roto rooter place here. I lost the number of the place we used right at 18 years ago. Same thing, a shower that would not drain, and because we were in a low lying area it would back up as well in heavy rain.

You would not believe the shit that came out of their. One thing I must say is that oil and shit like that was a major culprit. The water leaving from the bath had to pass the kitchen in that layout.

Washing dishes without hot water I have come to accept. But I also know that it creates the most disgusting stuff in the sewers. In the west there is very hot water for dishes and pans, so much of the oil and grease can dissipate, but not here. How do you pipes run?

New house no problems except the kitchen. Why? The fucking oil!! No other room connects to my kitchens plumbing. I am buying a new stove next month and even the wife agrees, the old one goes out on the veranda, and becomes the Thai kitchen. Hell we even have one more sink out there.

[Carnwadrick]

Had a disgruntled tenant pour a bag of cement down the bathroom drain, bastard, turned into a big soggy lump that backed up drainage in half the units in the building, had to dig up and replace 30 feet of sewer line.

[benbaaa]

...had to dig up and replace 30 feet of sewer line.

That's the solution I'm desperately trying not to think about right now...

[benbaaa]

Bought a 3m drain snake (having established that the obstruction was just a metre from the external drain outlet), and had a go. Removed quite a lot of rubble - bits of tiles, cement, brick fragments - and then the head of the snake with the metal spike and stiff brushes around it failed to emerge when I pulled the snake out. So now the main bit of the snake is lodged inside the pipe.

Have tried high pressure water, to no avail. Will borrow another drain snake tomorrow.

[Marmite the Dog]

In the west there is very hot water for dishes and pans, so much of the oil and grease can dissipate, but not here.

Don't you believe it. The main reason we don't see the problem is because our builders and engineers realise that water only runs downhill. Hard fat causes no end of problems in the main sewers. Luckily we have people like Noodles to keep them clear for us.

[DrAndy]

The main reason

is we use dishwashing detergent, which emulsifies the oil and grease

[Marmite the Dog]

^ Get down the sewers and take a look.

[DrAndy]

don't want to thanks

yes, I have seen the TV programmes too

lots of solid fat build up, but it would be 407% worse without Fairy washing up liquid

[benbaaa]

Well, I borrowed my mate's drain snake. Sad to report it's much bigger than mine.

But it seems to have cleared out the builder's rubble a metre from the external outlet. Unfortunately, it seems there's another blockage nearer the sink which is much harder to get at, 'cos of a lot more bends and turns. My little snake seems to be the better tool for this 'cos it's much more bendy, but without the head (which is still lost), it's gonna be a long job.

[DrAndy]

get another little snake then, but better quality or wire the head on securely

[crippen]

And take it steady! Little at a time and GENTLY.
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.Seduction.not rape.