I've just spent the best part of my afternoon up to me elbows in waste trying to rod my drains. I am seriously considering calling someone out but am really worried about the prices that I'm going to get charged. The inlaws and my parents are staying so there are alot of people in the house.
Does anyone have any advice? I know its a long shot...
http://www.diynot.com/pages/pl/pl006.php
May help?
Domestic_Ginger (31-12-2010)
That was my afternoon! No blockage clear though!Screw two rods together and slide them into the chamber in the direction of the suspected blockage. Screw on another rod and continue pushing, whilst manoeuvring the rods vigorously back and forth. Always turn the rods in a clockwise direction as you push them, this will stop the rod loosening or a joint undoing whilst underground. Continue until you feel the blockage clear.
My commiserations go to you! A job I did many times when I was doing home maintenance.
As already said get the rods out.
First take up the man hole lids in your garden and look to see which way the underground pipes go. There will be one access coming from your loo into the sump and possibly two others if you have an upstairs loo also. If one points towards next door ask if you can open there manhole to see if the blockage is between the two or ongoing to the next manhole which means there sump will be pretty full of rubbish too. If there sump is clear the blockage is between the two if not push the rods through always turning clockwise to make sure the rods do not part.
Be careful because if you have a oldish house the underground pipes might be cracked or broken or even collapsed thus the blockage. This weather anything can happen under there.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Domestic_Ginger (01-01-2011)
This is what we need nano-bots for!
if you got the rods past your property line the council will come and do it, if not you may have a collapsed drain, time to ring the insurance maybe ?Originally Posted by Domestic_Ginger
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
Surley there are times when you know a job is just too big, too much effort, out of yor comfort zone etc. Get on the phone and call a company in. It'll cost you a few hundred quid but it's got to be worth it not to be up to your elbows in crap.
I did call someone out. They were quick to query the price I was told by thier call centre and told me it was 200+vat and not 200+vat as quoted. He seemed delighted to snigger at my protestations and I eventually decided he was not going to get my money and stuck it out as it was draining slowly. This was yesterday.
Today I phoned southern water and then sent someone out a few hours later. The man definately kenw what he was doing. Ascertained we were linked to next door and we have a shared drain to the sewers. Bingo! water company's responsibility. Cleaned out in 2 minutes and free of charge. They were blocked up too but they are always blocked up.
Gonzo: If you are the sore property connected to the public sewer you are still responsible for the point where your pipe connects to the sewer.
Never ever call these people who offer a emergency drain clearance. Southern water (my water company) will charge 75 for clearing a drain; alot maybe but much much more reasonable and if they can't clear it - no charge.
The law will change in october where the water companies will cover private drains effectively wiping out these people - and yes I am bitter; I hate to think what they do to old ladies and people who were poorly informed such as myself.
Unsettling to think they'll be making your lunch out of the refuge or decide to create a potential nuclear super power in minature under your sink!
Glad you got it sorted
Domestic_Ginger (01-01-2011)
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