Plumbing Issue

MildThing84

Apologies if this is in the wrong section. Hoping somebody can help before i have to call the experts.

I have an issue that seems to be coming from the downstairs loo (toilet and sink, no shower/bath).

In a nutshell, the water level in the toilet bowl has been a little low for a fortnight. I didnt think much of it but as the days have gone on i have now noticed a gurgling in the sink and a gurgling in the kitchen sink - google says blockage.

I have used all of the usual conventional methods, plunged the toilet, bought expensive unblockers, opened the AJ, put a rod down, put my hand in a bag up etc. etc. but can't seem to find the fault. Am i missing something?

The water level in the AJ appears to be about 1.5 ft down if that helps anybody with some advice.

Do i need to go outside to the man hole in the front garden? I have lifters available.

Thanks all in advance. Happy to call an expert but this one is just something i wanted to solve myself.

2011

MildThing84 wrote: »

In a nutshell, the water level in the toilet bowl has been a little low for a fortnight.

Is there a leak?
What happens when you flush the toilet? Is the level ok then and it later drops?

I didnt think much of it but as the days have gone on i have now noticed a gurgling in the sink and a gurgling in the kitchen sink - google says blockage.

That is unrelated to the above. That is what many sinks do. I would not be concerned about this noise.

I have used all of the usual conventional methods, plunged the toilet, bought expensive unblockers, opened the AJ, put a rod down, put my hand in a bag up etc. etc. but can't seem to find the fault. Am i missing something?

Is the water satisfactorily draining away without any leaks? Is so you are ok.

The water level in the AJ appears to be about 1.5 ft down if that helps anybody with some advice.

The level is not going to be low due to a blockage.

Outkast_IRE

Is everything connected to a stack ? Is there an open vent at the top of the stack ?

Just asking incase you have an air admittance valve. they can give trouble.

MildThing84

2011 wrote: »

Is there a leak?
What happens when you flush the toilet? Is the level ok then and it later drops?



That is unrelated to the above. That is what many sinks do. I would not be concerned about this noise.



Is the water satisfactorily draining away without any leaks? Is so you are ok.



The level is not going to be low due to a blockage.

Thanks for the reply.

There is no evidence of a leak but i will get under the toilet later and be sure of it. Tiled floor so i am sure it would be evident.

When it is flushed the water level shoots up high as is there is a blockage and drops to well below normal water line.

The kitchen sink never gurgled randomly before so that is why i thought both were linked.

MildThing84

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Is everything connected to a stack ? Is there an open vent at the top of the stack ?

Just asking incase you have an air admittance valve. they can give trouble.

Hey Outkast, unfortunately this is beyond my plumbing knowledge! I will have to google and check it out.

I have a side passage with a "heightened/elevated" access to an AJ if that makes sense. I can take the lid of the pipe and get into the toilet from the back and i can see where the waste drops down.

Outkast_IRE

MildThing84 wrote: »

Hey Outkast, unfortunately this is beyond my plumbing knowledge! I will have to google and check it out.

I have a side passage with a "heightened/elevated" access to an AJ if that makes sense. I can take the lid of the pipe and get into the toilet from the back and i can see where the waste drops down.

This is the arrangement you would normally expect with toilets, sinks connected to a stack and a vent at the top.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drain-waste-vent_system

2011

MildThing84 wrote: »

When it is flushed the water level shoots up high as is there is a blockage and drops to well below normal water line.

Ok, I take it back. This sounds like a blockage.

The kitchen sink never gurgled randomly before so that is why i thought both were linked.

Again I think I was wrong in my previous post. Yes, they may be linked.

When there is a partial blockage it can cause this.
Sorry for the confusion.

I resolved this by pouring very hot water and bleach down my toilet thanks to a helpful YouTube video.

MildThing84

2011 wrote: »

Ok, I take it back. This sounds like a blockage.



Again I think I was wrong in my previous post. Yes, they may be linked.

When there is a partial blockage it can cause this.
Sorry for the confusion.

I resolved this by pouring very hot water and bleach down my toilet thanks to a helpful YouTube video.

No worries at all. I just appreciate the replies. Google at one point was telling me i needed a new drainage system....! So, if it's a case of a blockage, i can live with it

garv123

What did you plunge the toilet with? An old mop works brilliant at unblocking them in seconds. A plunger is next to useless I found. Do it when the water level fills up high after a flush.

MildThing84

garv123 wrote: »

What did you plunge the toilet with? An old works brilliant at unblocking them in seconds. A plunger is next to useless I found. Do it when the water level fills up high after a flush.

I think you left out an important word there between "old" and "works"

garv123

MildThing84 wrote: »

I think you left out an important word there between "old" and "works"

:pac::pac:

I cant give away all my secrets..

mop.

MildThing84

Lifted the man hole in the front garden. Jeez..... what a mess.

Water wipes lads. Avoid them! I’ll be having words with the missus!

garv123

Are you on mains or biocycle /septic tank?

MildThing84

garv123 wrote: »

Are you on mains or biocycle /septic tank?

Mains.

Problem solved now though.