Inky black water/residue from shower waste.

[TrudyTrudy]

After noticing an unpleasant smell from the shower waste I used the plunger to attempt to clear any blockage. When I did so the water coming from the waste was inky black and when I rinsed this away I could see what looked like small black gravel left in the trap. On attempting to scoop this out most of it disintegrated causing the water to go black again. I worked on this for about half an hour with the same result each time and no doubt it will continue as often as I attempt to plunge.
Does anyone have any idea what is likely to have caused this and what needs to be done to rectify it?

Many thanks.

[The Builder]

Ewwwwwwwwww........... just yer normal waste water and body bits Trudy.
Sounds like it's bunged up somewhere, and so not getting away properly.
Check out the other end where it discharges to a gully or soil stack......... that's the important place.

[4getmenot]

what he said

[The Builder]

............. DrainBabe.............. my little Drain Rod:o)))))
Do you miss your drain access then?

[Mosaic]

You could in the meantime try bunging a cupful of bleach down the hole followed by a kettle of boiling water - leave 30 mins, use a plunger if you have one, rinse away then repeat. I also noticed in my local B&Q bottles of 'hair block removal' stuff in the bathroom section, so you might try that.

[jomifl]

Dissolve a box of washing soda in a bucket of hot water and pour it down the drain and then avoid using the shower for a day. This is a mild alkali and should shift some of the gunge. Caustic soda is much more effective but should be used with extreme caution and protective goggles and rubber gloves. The safest way to use caustic soda is to use a ready made solution and trickle it down the drain or use pellets by pouring about a cupful down the drain followed by cold water. Do NOT use hot water as a lot of heat is generated when caustic soda dissolves in water and use of hot water could result in a blowback of boiling caustic soda solution which could blind you and / or take your skin off.

[mrs_overall]

Urgh!

It might be easier to move house lol

[4getmenot]

no not at all

[ubasses]

buy a specialist drain cleaner like Mr Muscle from the supermarket, follow the instructions and it will clear after a few hours

[4getmenot]

dont use a special cleaner they are no good for your drains. they clear them coz over time they also make the drain deteriorate

[rowanwitch]

get one of those screw coil things that fit on a power drill and let it wriggle its way through the crud (drain snake?) then do the unblocking thing with a solution of biological washing powdwer instead .....

[DEN53]

Trudy - get yourself a can of Pressure Plumber

http://www.hss.uk.net...roduct_detail.htmlure Plumber - I have been using this for years, it works.

[DEN53]

Try this link - I don't think the othhttp://www.chaucersolutions.co.uk/Products
/Building%20&%20Maintenance/Pressure%20Plumbe
r.htmer
one works.

[DEN53]

http://www.hss.uk.net/1754/product_detail.html