New sink, taps and sink waste - water now flows out so slowly, why?

[javee]

Hi. Can anyone help me understand what the problem is with my new sink unit? With the old one, I could rinse dishes under the tap and the water would flow out as fast as it flowed in. With the new taps, sink and waste pipe underneath, the water goes out so slowly that the washing up has to be done in small batches, with pauses in between for the water to drain out of the sink as it is full. It is also much slower in draining out when I have put the plug in so it is draining a sink of water without taps being on. The landlord says this is caused by the new waste pipe under the sink being a different size than the old one. The new waste pipe under the sink is apparently a different size than the stage 2 waste pipes in the block of flats. These are old Victorian blocks of flats and other residents have the same problem - these are new sinks put in under the Decent Homes scheme.
Are they supposed to fit sink waste pipes that are a different gauge to the waste pipes in the building? Or has the landlord messed up?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

on a kitchen sink the waste pipe should be 1 1/2" or 40mm (the same as a bath waste) or maybe even 50mm if a long run.

 

[turnpin]

Hello Javee and welcome SteveB is right but it sounds like an obstruction to me or maybe the pipework has not got enough of a fall see if you can post us a couple of pics and we maybe able to advise you as to what to do to sort out your problem regards turnpin

 

[PlumbBobBob]

yes turnpin is right post some pics so we can see what is happening under the sink.

 

[stevetheplumber]

take a look at the waste fitting in the sink some are very restrictive if not lined up propely
can you see a clear path for the water to flow ?you may need to realign top and bottom sections
ikea ones are particuly bad for this

 

[javee]

Many thanks, I will check the waste pipe to see if it is lined up properly, and take photos if I can. I have heard that lots of my neighbours have the same problem - most flats had the new sinks installed. I will try to get the landlord to tell me the gauges of the second stage waste pipes. Though they might not keep records of things like that. It is not an IKEA sink, it would be from one of the companies that do larger contract supplies to social housing landlords.

 

[javee]

I forgot to say that I reported this as a repair more than once, and the contractor plumbers each time said it was nothing they can fix, it is because the new waste pipe is a different size to the one it joins on to. So maybe the waste pipe is lined up properly.

 

[stevetheplumber]

if it ran away ok previously then it still should but if every one has a problem its probably bloked waste pipe

 

[javee]

From what neighbours say, the problem is in four blocks of flats, but I don't know if it is for every flat that had the new kitchen put in.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i would band together with your neighbours and contact the landlord about the drainage problems. might be more inclined to do something if everybody has the same problem.

 

[javee]

Yes, you are right, that is the best way. But I think I might have to get a good plumber in myself to diagnose, so we can be firm with the landlord on what they must do. The landlord is adept at avoiding putting right mistakes. Once, in my previous flat with this landlord, contract plumbers came to do a repair - they walked in, looked around at the plumbing, and roared with laughter. "This is a Peabody flat, isn't it. We can always tell."

 

[REDSAW]

sounds like too many 90deg bends and require aav installing if pipes downsized (cheaper)?.

 

[chrishanson]

Hi! What woul be the cause of not flowing the water freely? I need a plumber service because it's been 2 days since i have this problem with my kitchen sink.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

?Have you the pictures yet? and have you checked the pipe diameter?