Big problems with bath and basin pipe flow Drainage and wastage systems and plumbing help, advice and answers

[mikesndbs]

Hi

Our house was built in 1978 and the plumbing has not (as far as we know) been changed since.

Yes I know the decor is old but there are issues that make it hard to sort out.

Anyway, the bath and basin in the bath room discharge into a pipe that runs to the right through the wall into the toilet and then into the stack.


When we moved here in 1999 the flow from the bath was always slow but I reasoned it would be due to the very shallow fall.
The basin on the other hand was always fast to flow.



About three years back things started to go wrong.

When emptying the basin the water would force the plug out of the bath and very smelly water would flow into the bath.
This progressed to a point where the water would even come out of the bath overflow.

I purchased a drain auger and got to work with this undoing the bath pipes and passing the auger all the way into the stack.

This removed some hard brittle deposits that had moulded to the shape of the pipe.

After this the water flowed away fine for about a week :?

So back in with the auger, this time attached to my drill and once in the pipe I let the drill do the work of spinning it as I withdrew the auger.
I also reversed the process.

This time the water level at the grate in the bath dropped lower than I have ever seen it and we had a really good flow.
Again for only a week :x

We have also used chemicals that claim to remove all blockages to no avail.

So I wondered if there was something wrong with the plumbing?

We can hear a glug, glug in the toilet (the room) and so I decided to remove the wood work to see what was happening.





I was always suspicious about the way the pipe from the bath room connected to the stack!
The toilet waste seemed to discharge over the top of it which to my ignorant mind seems to be inviting trouble?

As you can see this is the case but the connections seem simple enough?




So, can anyone offer advice on what could be wrong?
I hope so as it defies logic to me :(

Cheers

Mike


P.S Would it be better to allow pictures within the text using the img command?

*******

[mikesndbs]

Looking forward to some help here as this problem needs to be sorted out.
Not seen a reply yet :cry:

[peter the plumber]

Right look to me like a real bad job, but I can see why they have done it.

You have your basin and bath is connected below your toilet on your 110 mm waste pipe.

Not a very good idea.

Here what you need to do.

Run separate pipes for the basin, bath and make sure they are above the waste connexion for the toilet.

Use some screw on end cap for the old waste hole.

Use some easyfit strap boss for the 32mm/40mm. (32mm basin, 40mm bath.)

Remember you need a sight gradient on all pipe work.

Then box all pipe work in.

It’s a fairy easy job to do, but will take time.

[mikesndbs]

[quote="peter the plumber"]Right look to me like a real bad job, but I can see why they have done it.

You have your basin and bath is connected below your toilet on your 110 mm waste pipe.

Not a very good idea.

Here what you need to do.

Run separate pipes for the basin, bath and make sure they are above the waste connexion for the toilet.

Use some screw on end cap for the old waste hole.

Use some easyfit strap boss for the 32mm/40mm. (32mm basin, 40mm bath.)

Remember you need a sight gradient on all pipe work.

Then box all pipe work in.

It’s a fairy easy job to do, but will take time.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply.

While what you have suggested is the ideal fix there are a number of issues that make it very difficult!

First up, how can I possible make the bath higher than it currently is?
Without raising the bath up about a foot or more?

There are no other connections for the stack and cutting new ones is a scary prospect for me.
As is knocking holes in the wall for new pipes.

This system did work ok for many years.
I would like if possible to get it working again.
The main issue is understanding where the problem is.

I could imagine re piping as is.

Would an air inlet help?
Is there such a thing as a one way valve to stop water going into the bath?

Cheers

Mike

[peter the plumber]

Whoever installed this pipe work needs shootings, this not just a “bad jobâ€

[mikesndbs]

I'd like to fit a access and cleaning part here
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k109/ ... /pipe1.jpg
Do they make such a thing?
This should allow me to clear all the way into the stack, If I have to do it every few months thats fine.

What would be involved?

Cutting and fixing the new part?

Thanks

[zark]

screwfix do an access bend... if that's what you mean?

part no 11971 at screwfix.com