Second opinions desired before I throw even more money (literally) down the drain...?

[BrightonSarah]

Since our building work 3 years ago we've had to call out plumbers at least five times to clear the pipework running from the sink to the drain (level run on the ground floor). Over time the pipes, which are 1.5 inches wide, repeatedly clog up and water ends up backing up into the sink and dishwasher etc. Yesterday's plumber put wires through the pipes to clear it and although it was a lot better by the time he left, it wasn't perfect. Previous plumbers have used suction vaccum type things, which this one said don't do much - not sure if that's true or not). He said that part of the reason that he couldn't sort the drainage out completely is because the pipes - which aren't accessible or visible as they're behind a wall - are so coated in 'fat fur' that over time it will become increasingly difficult to clear them completely. He said his preference would have been to replace the pipes but they are not accessible. His recommendation was to install a waste disposal unit as its powerful pump would ensure that the waste is flushed out with force along the pipes. He said this will definitely prevent any future problems and may even help to clear the exisiting problem. I'd be very grateful indeed for your professional thoughts on this before I go spending another few hundred pounds on a potential cure.... many thanks.

 

[gmartine]

Avoid throwing fat and food down the sink? If you can't or won't have a disposer installed.

 

[Stigster]

If fats are causing the problem rather than a design issue (though you do mention "level run" on the waste?) You can get a fat eating enzyme drain cleaner to keep pipes free of fat deposits. I used a product I found at B&Q to tackle a fat blocked back inlet gully that was hard to manually clean and it did eat the fat away. After you've given it the full treatment to clear the pipes, half a cup full down the drain every couple of weeks has been keeping this drain clear. Sorry I don't remember the name of the product but it can be found with all the other drain cleaners on the shelf. It's not good to put fat down the drain but if you use a dishwasher then it will happen anyway over time.

 

[BrightonSarah]

If fats are causing the problem rather than a design issue (though you do mention "level run" on the waste?) You can get a fat eating enzyme drain cleaner to keep pipes free of fat deposits. I used a product I found at B&Q to tackle a fat blocked back inlet gully that was hard to manually clean and it did eat the fat away. After you've given it the full treatment to clear the pipes, half a cup full down the drain every couple of weeks has been keeping this drain clear. Sorry I don't remember the name of the product but it can be found with all the other drain cleaners on the shelf. It's not good to put fat down the drain but if you use a dishwasher then it will happen anyway over time.

 

[BrightonSarah]

Thanks so much, Stigster. We are very careful not to put oil or fats down the sink etc but as you say it happens anyway over time. I did throw One Shot down there (as did the plumber) but that didn't work, and he said to use product on a regular basis. My more immediate problem is that the drainage problem is currently ongoing so I need to sort that out somehow first - and I'm not sure a waste disposal is the answer?

 

[Stigster]

I would give the pipework after the last trap on the run a good pull with a wet vac to hopefully open up the pipe even partially (clean a path through with a drain snake if it won't shift under vacuum), dose the pipework overnight with a fat breaking enzyme and hot water (follow the instructions on the product) which will hopefully get it moving even better and then use a wet vac to pull any remaining sludge/debris out of the pipework after the last trap on the pipe run. Then dose on a fortnightly basis with the enzyme. I do this both for customers and also on my own kitchen drains.

 

[Ric2013]

Any possibility of new waste run clipped around the wall with a proper fall on it? I literally never clean out my kitchen waste run and it hasn't blocked in the last 10 years. That said, I don't eat a lot of meat, and I tend to wash clothes at 40°C minimum, which probably does mean less grease in the waste.

 

[BrightonSarah]

Any possibility of new waste run clipped around the wall with a proper fall on it? I literally never clean out my kitchen waste run and it hasn't blocked in the last 10 years. That said, I don't eat a lot of meat, and I tend to wash clothes at 40°C minimum, which probably does mean less grease in the waste.

I would give the pipework after the last trap on the run a good pull with a wet vac to hopefully open up the pipe even partially (clean a path through with a drain snake if it won't shift under vacuum), dose the pipework overnight with a fat breaking enzyme and hot water (follow the instructions on the product) which will hopefully get it moving even better and then use a wet vac to pull any remaining sludge/debris out of the pipework after the last trap on the pipe run. Then dose on a fortnightly basis with the enzyme. I do this both for customers and also on my own kitchen drains.

Thanks Stigster - that's really helpful. I need to find someone locally who can do that (I'm in north London...)

 

[BrightonSarah]

Any possibility of new waste run clipped around the wall with a proper fall on it? I literally never clean out my kitchen waste run and it hasn't blocked in the last 10 years. That said, I don't eat a lot of meat, and I tend to wash clothes at 40°C minimum, which probably does mean less grease in the waste.

Thanks Ric2013 - hmmm... not sure that would work in our building as we're a terraced house.... thanks though

 

[KingDoey]

Another thing to use is Dam Buster or one Shot or a similar product. It is basically a bottle of acid which will dissolve anything in the pipe. You do need to be careful with the application of it though as it hazardous stuff

 

[BrightonSarah]

Another thing to use is Dam Buster or one Shot or a similar product. It is basically a bottle of acid which will dissolve anything in the pipe. You do need to be careful with the application of it though as it hazardous stuff

Thanks KingDoey. Did use One Shot - no joy unfortunately.

 

[turnpin]

Hi Sarah can you post some pictures highlighting the pipework ....I think personally the problem needs pipe alteration albeit complicated there will be a solution and this in turn will over come the recurring problem....regards Turnpin

 

[king of pipes]

If its over a 3m run then it should have been upsized to 50mm with a fall , dishwasher detergents and food waste will always clog your pipework without a decent fall on the drainage run i personally dont think a waste disposal unit is your answer it will still clog up , needs replacing how that can be done is yours and the plumbers decision but if it not addressed you will clog up again. cheers kop

 

[BrightonSarah]

Hi Sarah can you post some pictures highlighting the pipework ..I think personally the problem needs pipe alteration albeit complicated there will be a solution and this in turn will over come the recurring problem....regards Turnpin

Thanks Turpin, most of the pipework is under the floor unfortunately ... :-(

 

[BrightonSarah]

If its over a 3m run then it should have been upsized to 50mm with a fall , dishwasher detergents and food waste will always clog your pipework without a decent fall on the drainage run i personally dont think a waste disposal unit is your answer it will still clog up , needs replacing how that can be done is yours and the plumbers decision but if it not addressed you will clog up again. cheers kop

Thanks King of Pipes - that's really helpful. Another plumber I spoke to yesterday couldn't understand why this guy had recommended a waste disposal unit as apparently they don't contain a pump.... I'd been told that they do and that it would jet the waste down the pipe.