Toilet backing up - any plumbers out there?

[felly]

My toilet is backing up - still working OK but three quarters filling the bowl when flushed before settling back down to normal level. I've tried using a plunger on it but nothing happened. It's been doing this for about 4 days and has neither improved nor got worse during this time. Does this definitely mean I have a blockage and if so should I ring a plumber or somebody who specifically clears drains? Any help appreciated.

[boxtops]

There was a Q about this a few days ago, I'm trying to find it - the answers ranged from "put a binliner on your arm and grope around to see if you can find a blockage" to "lifting the manhole cover in the garden to see if the whole system is blocked" - not much help, I am sorry!

[arwyn]

I'm not a plumber but when mine did that the problem was outside, lift you nearest man hole cover and have a look

[felly]

Thanks boxtops and arwyn for your prompt replies - the speed of answers always amazes me on Answerbank :) I'll try the binliner idea - I can do that but am not so sure about lifting the manhole as it hasn't been lifted for two decades (when I had the last blockage). I hesitate to ask this question but if I did manage to lift the manhole, what would I expect to see ie what would be normal and what would be abnormal?

[alexanderd]

normal would be an empty manhole perhaps with water running through abnormal would be too nasty to mention on here!!

[boxtops]

Poo..... the last threads replies suggested that all sorts of solid items, particularly nappies and sanitary stuff gets caught in pipes, then backs up and nothing can get through. If that's the case, you shut the lid quickly and send for Dynorod, IMO!

[felly]

Thanks alexanderd and again boxtops - thought that might be the case. Maybe I'll just send for somebody to have a look - I'm not much of a DIYer anyway.

[arwyn]

I'v had this problem twice in this house and about six times in the last, in all the cases the blockage problem was found to be from neighbours further up the street, we lift ours with screw drivers (not the proper tools) it so needs a man to do this, we never ended up with the bill, the one that is causeing it gets the bill. All times ours was full to the top yucky.

[felly]

Thanks arwyn. So if I send for somebody to sort it, can they identify whose fault it is? Wouldn't they still expect me to pay the bill as I had sent for them? My sister had this problem with a drain shared with a neighbour but the neighbour refused to give her any money towards the bill.

[anneasquith]

would it be covered in your house insurance felly ?

[alexanderd]

If its a shared drain (most are) then the one causing the blockage should pay. How close to your house is the drain cover?

[felly]

No unfortunately not according to the information in my buildings insurance policy and I can't change companies. I bought my flat from the council nearly 30 years ago. They pay the buildings insurance and then I pay for it via the service charge bill they send me.

[felly]

The drain cover is about a metre from my front door though not on my property.

[alexanderd]

Are you in a block of flats and are you on the ground floor because whoever is lowest should get the blockage but that does not mean its their fault. It might be worth getting on to the council and let them handle it

[factor-fiction]

If the blockage is in your system you could try doing what I did- just tip a few buckets of hot soapy water in as you flusk. Or stick a hosepipe in and turn the water power on full- but be prepared for backflow!

[felly]

I live in a block of four flats which look like a pair of semi-detached houses and I am on the ground floor. When I had the last blockage 20 odd years ago, the council were very unhelpful. I think they should have paid for the repair as my plumber at the time said the crack in the pipe which was causing the trouble was longstanding but they refused to get involved.

[felly]

Thanks factor30 - worth a try!

[alexanderd]

If there is a crack in the pipe causing a blockage then this is definitely the councils responsibility. If I were you I would get on to Health and Safety and report it. Its a health hazard

[felly]

My problem is that I shan't know what is causing it until I've got somebody out to look so can't get Health and Safety involved at this stage. I just think that because I am the one sending for somebody to sort it out I will end up with the bill.

[anneasquith]

felly have you asked the others in the block if they are having any problems ?

[netibiza]

Ok here's what to do, messy but works. Use a mop (one of those long stringed ones) and plunge it up and down several times and it will eventually clear. Go as deep as it can. We do it a lot over here!