Sewage coming up shower drain!

[Deedop]

Hi all,

I've just moved into a house a few months ago, built around 2005. One of the toilets upstairs had a very weak flush so I raised the level of water in the cistern and to my horror a small amount of dirty water/sewrage came up through the shower drain.

I think it's been a problem all along with this bathroom. Its not completely finished and I don't think it was being used by the previous owners.

Could anyone give any insight into how this is happening and how big a job this will be to fix?

 

[snowhead]

You'll need to get photos of where the WC soil pipe goes and where the shower waste pipe joins in and post them.

It's possible there's a blockage in the soil pipe below where the shower is connected and the WC outflow is backing up or the shower waste pipe has been put in in such a way the WC outflow is running in to it.

 

[Deedop]

Is the only way to photos of the connection to take up the floors?

 

[Aquarius]

Is the only way to photos of the connection to take up the floors?

No, just where the soil stack is (hopefully it’s external).

 

[snowhead]

Photograph the toilet and shower so we can get an idea of the where pipework is likely to run.
Also anything outside if the pipework runs down the wall
A sketch of the layout of the bathroom might help.

 

[Deedop]

Photograph the toilet and shower so we can get an idea of the where pipework is likely to run.
Also anything outside if the pipework runs down the wall
A sketch of the layout of the bathroom might help.

OK will do in the morning when I can get a photo of the outside, thanks everyone

 

[Deedop]

Hi all,

I've taken some photos of the bathroom and outside, it would be great to hear if anyone has any ideas of what's going on.

The bathroom is directly above the backdoor, small roof light is the bathroom.

 

[Aquarius]

Ok, first and easiest, I would check that manhole near the back door, it would appear that the soil pipe runs by back door, then internally. After that it’s seek it out.

 

[Deedop]

Ok, first and easiest, I would check that manhole near the back door, it would appear that the soil pipe runs by back door, then internally. After that it’s seek it out.

We actually had the outdoor lines flushed recently when the septic tanks were emptied but I'll see if we can get someone in to take a look at the rest of the pipes for a blockage.

Just thinking the worst, if the pipes have been put in incorrectly what's involved in correcting them? Ripping up floors, walls, ceiling?

 

[Aquarius]

Just thinking the worst, if the pipes have been put in incorrectly what's involved in correcting them? Ripping up floors, walls, ceiling?

Generally, it’ll be the floor, or ceiling, i doubt both. In the wall should be a straight unobstructed vertical drop.

 

[Deedop]

Generally, it’ll be the floor, or ceiling, i doubt both. In the wall should be a straight unobstructed vertical drop.

OK guess we'll start the ball rolling, appreciate your help, thanks

 

[king of pipes]

As the chaps have mentioned it could be as simple as blockage somewhere ? is this the only drainage issue? does waste water drain from other areas of the property? Also you would expect to see the soil pipe vented externally at some point ? Is this the case

 

[Deedop]

As the chaps have mentioned it could be as simple as blockage somewhere ? is this the only drainage issue? does waste water drain from other areas of the property? Also you would expect to see the soil pipe vented externally at some point ? Is this the case

I think I'm just finding it very suspicious that the bathroom was unfinished/unused so seeing this I'm wondering if that's the reason. There's been a couple of strange things with the plumbing so fearing it was a botch job!

 

[Deedop]

As the chaps have mentioned it could be as simple as blockage somewhere ? is this the only drainage issue? does waste water drain from other areas of the property? Also you would expect to see the soil pipe vented externally at some point ? Is this the case

There's been a couple of strange things with the plumbing, the septic pump electrics are dodgy, there are copper stains from the water in all the sinks and none of the toilets flush well.

Also this bathroom is unused/unfinished so I'm suspicious that this is the reason.

Where should I look for the vent? Is it possible it's in the attic above or the crawl space of the dormer roof?

 

[king of pipes]

That's quite possible you may come across what we call a air admittance valve attached to the 110mm pipe at the highest point ? which can become stuck? a open vent to atmosphere or a tile vent would always work better ? Kop