Intermittent slow draining toilet

[Mike Renwick]

My downstairs toilet has suddenly started draining slowly (it's been fine since we moved in 3 years ago). It now take about half a minute to empty the bowl, and doesn't cope well with solid waste/toilet paper. At first I thought it was a blockage, as it seems to clear it after a good plunging. However, I come back to it some time later and it's back to draining slowly? This has been going on for weeks. It's the fact that it's so intermittent that's confusing me. Even without use it will go back to draining slowly...?
Tried plunging (various types), drain snake (useless), drain cleaner (no effect).
Any ideas?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Blockage somewhere. Have you lifted the manhole cover outside and had a look see?

 

[Mike Renwick]

I haven't managed to get the cover off. The screws are jammed in on one side... Not sure I'd know what to do if i could get it off? Sounds like that may be the next stage though?

Thanks

 

[Harvest Fields]

I would say so.

 

[Riley]

Get a jetter company out. Sounds like a blockage further down

 

[Harvest Fields]

Get a jetter company out. Sounds like a blockage further down

Don’t need a jetter. Some decent rods will fix that .

 

[WC1]

Don’t need a jetter. Some decent rods will fix that .

Should do, even if it doesn't it's character building!

 

[Burger]

Don’t need a jetter. Some decent rods will fix that .

Depends on blockage. Tree roots - no chance, Wipes - optimistic, fat/grease - will take some doing.

 

[Welder]

Depends on blockage. Tree roots - no chance, Wipes - optimistic, fat/grease - will take some doing.

Never a single puking emoji when you want TWO at least

 

[Best]

Never a single puking emoji when you want TWO at least

 

[Mike Renwick]

Thanks for the input. I reckon if I can get the cover off this weekend and can't see anything I'll get Dynorod to flush it...

 

[WC1]

If you can't see anything then lift the next lid. Get a recommended local guy once you've had a good look. Recommend not to use dyno rod.

 

[HoodedClaw]

I always get the customer to have a look at what blocked it - only one has thrown up All stopped throwing baby/toilet wipes down it.

 

[HoodedClaw]

Just had a thought, reminds my of a broken AAV/Durgo. Does it have an external stack or internal vent?

 

[Mike Renwick]

Sorry not sure what that means? However, I managed to get the cover off and found the problem. Looks like several drains running into one which is blocked somewhere - "toilet paper soup". At least I know it's not a problem between the toilet and there!
I might have a go at unblocking with a 6ft "drain snake" I bought for the loo (but found it was too big to get round the bend). Other than that I'm not sure even who to call. I have drain cover through BG but I think that only covers the house bounderies. This looks like it could be further down the pipes :-( (?Yorkshire water)

 

[snowhead]

If more than 1 property discharges into the Drain then it's for Yorks Water to sort out.

 

[Harvest Fields]

You need proper rods mate

 

[WC1]

Forget the snake that's not what it is for and will just make a mess. Try water board if it is outside your boundary.

 

[decomplexity]

" Looks like several drains running into one which is blocked somewhere"
Are all these your drains? If not, your water supplier is now responsible for the 'private sewer' that extends from the point that other drains join yours and for the other 'lateral drains' from where they enter your land.
If so you may be able to get them to clear the blockage free.

 

[malx42]

I had a similar problem for years. The blockage was in a shared drain. I used rods to clear it easily .. downstream from the shared manhole. Many times. Sometimes it would block and then clear itself. As it was a shared drain And old property was not our responsibility .... I eventually started getting ST out to rod it. Eventually a Victorian trap was removed ... then we had tree roots cut and drain relined, and later replaced.