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[TD]

Downstairs loo, was very slow to flush, it was taking ages for the bowl to empty.
Its not the loo itself its the soil pipe to the main sewer.
How do I know this? The output of the bowl is connected to a flexi pipe that then goes to soil pipe. If I unplug the connection to the soil pipe and shine a torch down it, it goes down about 2-3 feet and there is standing water in it, which shouldn't be there.
This morning I shoved a litre of 95% concentrate of sulphuric acid down it, left it 3 hours reconnected the loo and flushed it. The flush was better but still not as it should be. So tomorrow morning I plan to shove another litre of sulphuric acid down it and leave it all day.

Don't know what else to do tbh, rodding it from the sewer end is likely to be a costly job, as the manhole, as far as I can make is buried under the patio....if there is one there, peeking over the neighbours fence seem to suggest this, tho the neighbour on one side has got an extension over his......

[Bigron]

I wonder if using sweeps' rods down there would help? You don't want the brush as that might well jam the blockage further, but if you poke skinny rods down, little by little, and in different places once you have cleared one small pathway, eventually you would "chisel" it all away?

Ron.

[STEMO]

If you can't shift it from the soil pipe end, and if the manhole is choked I doubt you will, then you're....gotta say it....up shit creek. I've seen instances like this where the manhole had to be excavated.

[TD]

I wonder if using sweeps' rods down there would help? You don't want the brush as that might well jam the blockage further, but if you poke skinny rods down, little by little, and in different places once you have cleared one small pathway, eventually you would "chisel" it all away?

Ron.

Nice idea Ron, but sweeps rods are about the same thickness as a hose pipe and Ive tried shoving a hose pipe down there, trouble is after the 2-3 feet drop the soil pipe turns 90 degrees and I canrt get the hose pipe to go around the 90 bend, which is more flexible than a sweeps rod, so id have no chance with a sweeps rod 

[TD]

If you can't shift it from the soil pipe end, and if the manhole is choked I doubt you will, then you're....gotta say it....up shit creek. I've seen instances like this where the manhole had to be excavated.

I can see this happening 

[Lizzie Zoom]

If you can't shift it from the soil pipe end, and if the manhole is choked I doubt you will, then you're....gotta say it....up shit creek. I've seen instances like this where the manhole had to be excavated.

I can see this happening 

It would seem to be a certainty.  With blockages such as this I have in the past had to take the manhole cover off and rod the pipes, with sometimes the problem being half way between the neighbours house and mine.  This could not have been done without accessing my manhole cover.

However, try and see if you can lift your neighbours covers.  You may find that the blockage is actually on their property, or further down the street.  Ask them if they are having any problems with their toilets. If their pipes are dry, then it is your problem I'm afraid.

[Mr Gav]

This is the problem when people build over manholes, if that what has happened, access should always be left for circumstances like this.

You might need to go a few doors down and see if there is one down there, after all they`re not necessarily in every garden, and always rod against the flow to prevent compacting the blockage.

[Bigron]

I see your point, TD, but I slightly disagree - same diameter, yes, but the rods are more rigid and can be forced more, yet they are still flexible enough to negotiate bends.
If you think that still won't work, what about even thinner metal rods?
Softly, softly.....

Ron.

[Andy B]

http://www.uktoolcentre.co.uk/Shop/p~56495~Drain-Cleaning-Kit-15m.html?refid=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=Product+Search&gclid=Cj0KEQjwoqvIBRD6ls6og8qB77YBEiQAcqqHe6YFK5bCtddIcnw6kVo-AIkLLJxWXi-p6bI8fW94JgIaAvOj8P8HAQ

One of the above & a Karcher pressure washer? 

[Kevin Wood]

If you can't shift it from the soil pipe end, and if the manhole is choked I doubt you will, then you're....gotta say it....up shit creek. I've seen instances like this where the manhole had to be excavated.

I can see this happening 

It would seem to be a certainty.  With blockages such as this I have in the past had to take the manhole cover off and rod the pipes, with sometimes the problem being half way between the neighbours house and mine.  This could not have been done without accessing my manhole cover.

However, try and see if you can lift your neighbours covers.  You may find that the blockage is actually on their property, or further down the street.  Ask them if they are having any problems with their toilets. If their pipes are dry, then it is your problem I'm afraid.

Even if next door's sewer is dry, it'd be worth shoving some rods up past your junction in case the blockage is upstream.

[Sir Tigger KC]

How about something like this?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/apollo-2-5mm-2-5mm-galvanised-garden-wire-x-25m/57999?kpid=57999&gclid=COCc4LyP19MCFRMTGwodyrEA1Q&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMX-iL2P19MCFZdIGwodQE4AZw

Bend a hook in the end and see if you can pull the wet wipes out?   

[Mister Rog]

Even if next door's sewer is dry, it'd be worth shoving some rods up past your junction in case the blockage is upstream.

Oooooo sounds painful. Although there are some that might enjoy that 

[STEMO]

Even if next door's sewer is dry, it'd be worth shoving some rods up past your junction in case the blockage is upstream.

Oooooo sounds painful. Although there are some that might enjoy that 

Yes. I got a semi when I read that. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

You have a blockage and the only option for DIY removal is to rod it......that will probably need access to the inspection chamber.

The base of the stack 'should' have a rest bend and not a tight 90, rods will pass around this.

Had to clear such an issue for a neighbour a month or two ago, this was a blockage at a man hole (a real man hole is one you can climb inside).....having removed three socks the rumble started and I didn't quite get out quick enough......

My starting point would be to check all other inspection chambers to see if they are dry and work back towards or away from the house, juts be a bit aware as if its that high up the downpipe they may suddenly overflow when the cover is lifted if the blockage is downstream from them.

[TD]

You have a blockage and the only option for DIY removal is to rod it......that will probably need access to the inspection chamber.

The base of the stack 'should' have a rest bend and not a tight 90, rods will pass around this.

Had to clear such an issue for a neighbour a month or two ago, this was a blockage at a man hole (a real man hole is one you can climb inside).....having removed three socks the rumble started and I didn't quite get out quick enough......

My starting point would be to check all other inspection chambers to see if they are dry and work back towards or away from the house, juts be a bit aware as if its that high up the downpipe they may suddenly overflow when the cover is lifted if the blockage is downstream from them.

I was a bit dubious that a sweep rod would get round the corner of the stack ( I could get hold of sweep rods , seen some in my mums garage)
However just been chatting to a neighbour about the problem. 5 mins later he came back with proper drain rods with a brass wheel on the end, claiming the wheel will go round any corner. So that's a job for tomorrow....feeling more confident now!