Sink getting blocked

All in all · 11-12-2018 1:57pm #1

Hi, we recently got a new washing machine (attached to same waste as kitchen sink). Since this has been done we have problems with water coming back up sink and the sink basin filling when washing machine is draining water. I have had 2 different plumbers who have had a look at it and cant find any blockage.

The waste pipe for the sink goes down under the floor and they can only follow so far. They have both suggested bringing a pipe out through the wall to a drain that we have for an outside tap. I presume this will work, is there anything else to be aware of.

It seems most likely that the guys who fitted the washing machine did something as the problem only started then but have had no success tracking what they have done.

listermint · 11-12-2018 2:00pm

Any pictures of the washing machine pipe into the Sink Outlet ?

Also if you filled your sink right up to brim and then let it out does it take ages to dump all its water ?

The dishwasher should be no different really.

seamus · 11-12-2018 2:07pm

Is it a separate waste pipe for the washing machine, or does it connect to the kitchen trap with an inlet like this?

Pipe out through the wall is an option, but it needs to be properly sealed up or you'll have a permanent draught, or worse, water ingress.

Sounds odd that the plumbers didn't really give you any more info. You should be able to find the shore cover outside, lift it and then fill the sink and empty it. You should be able to see then if you're flowing well to that point or if there's an obvious blockage.

Have you tried firing a load of drain unblocker down there?

All in all · 11-12-2018 2:18pm

seamus wrote: »

Is it a separate waste pipe for the washing machine, or does it connect to the kitchen trap with an inlet like this?

Pipe out through the wall is an option, but it needs to be properly sealed up or you'll have a permanent draught, or worse, water ingress.

Sounds odd that the plumbers didn't really give you any more info. You should be able to find the shore cover outside, lift it and then fill the sink and empty it. You should be able to see then if you're flowing well to that point or if there's an obvious blockage.

Have you tried firing a load of drain unblocker down there?

Hi,

Yes it is a fitting like the one you have linked. The water is slow to drain be it if the you fill the sink or when the dishwasher/washing machine is draining.

The kitchen is at back of house and it doesn't drain to the shore at the back of the house, both have had difficulty tracing where the water is going but seem to think it connects with waste for downstair toilet (no problem here). And it does flow out at side of house. I have tried unsuccessfully to get in touch with builder to get more clarification on where things flow.

Have tried plenty of drain unblocker alright.

seamus · 11-12-2018 2:23pm

Before you go knocking holes in walls, get a professional drain company like Dyno-rod out. They'll run a camera down there and will be able to see if it's just a build-up of sludge, or if a pipe has collapsed and filled with soil or something.

I'd say this has been a long-running problem, but you just didn't notice until the washing machine went in.

listermint · 11-12-2018 2:24pm

Well options include

- new Waste being put in. i.e new holes in walls and run new pipe down to sewerage.

- removing the S bend and rodding the ****e out of the existing outflow with something like this https://www.ie.screwfix.com/drain-unblocker.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3b3gBRDAARIsAL6D-N--iZesiGQ5XE4qM5S-0rQRmn-52Jtld2BVEGRBA4vtVbdtdOtBrD4aAkw6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Id suggest its a simple blockage, but you can never be sure about what you cant see.

kurtainsider · 11-12-2018 2:29pm

As other posters have said - it sounds like a pre-existing restriction in the drain pipe that was highlighted by the larger volume of water coming out of the washing machine. If it's a fairly new house with PVC piping it should be possible to clear the blockage without too much difficulty.

All in all · 11-12-2018 3:51pm

seamus wrote: »

Before you go knocking holes in walls, get a professional drain company like Dyno-rod out. They'll run a camera down there and will be able to see if it's just a build-up of sludge, or if a pipe has collapsed and filled with soil or something.

I'd say this has been a long-running problem, but you just didn't notice until the washing machine went in.

Thanks, just to clarify there was always a washing machine there, just a replacement machine went in. I have noticed since the new machine was installed that they did cut away a bit the back of the press under the sink I presume to get access to plumb the new machine. Is it possible that they could have done something or disturbed something doing this?

There is a bit of play in the waste down pipe at the back of the sink where all the water flows.

seamus · 11-12-2018 3:59pm

If the outlet for the washing machine has always been at the trap, then it's very unlikely they disturbed or damaged the pipework. The piece of press they cut away was probably just to let them get the drain for the washing machine through.

It's easy to start looking at stuff and wondering what's wrong, but realistically unless you know exactly how things were before, then I wouldn't get hung up on the play in the pipework (it's probably always been like that). If your old washing machine had a weaker pump than your new one, it may have not been an issue.

Just to clarify: Has the outlet for the washing machine always been attached to the trap under the sink, or is this something they did when they installed the washing machine?

Because it sounds like this is what was done, the old machine probably drained into a pipe behind the presses.

All in all · 11-12-2018 4:17pm

seamus wrote: »

Just to clarify: Has the outlet for the washing machine always been attached to the trap under the sink, or is this something they did when they installed the washing machine?

Because it sounds like this is what was done, the old machine probably drained into a pipe behind the presses.

Hi the outlet for the washing machine has always been attached to the trap under the sink (and dishwasher) with a fitting like this. https://www.plumbingproducts.ie/waste-traps/1397-double-spigot-trap-1-1-2.html

Sink getting blocked

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