Blocked pipe to soil stack help

[SonicHedgeHog]

I've got a bathroom toilet problem. It's been going on for years, is a bit intermittent, but has come back today and I would dearly love it sorted.

The toilet is plumbed so that the waste immediately turns 90 degrees after it leaves the pan. It then runs along a pipe about 2m long where it joins the soil stack. The waste from the sink and the bath run into the same soil stack as does the ensuite bathroom.

The water in the toilet is a bit grubby. Not horrendous, but certainly not clear. A few years ago we changed the toilet and in doing so noticed the fall on the 2m pipe was a little lower than ideal. We adjusted it, but what I think has happened is that sediment has built up in this pipe, reducing its diameter thereby causing drainage problems.

The bathroom is immaculate apart from this. In order to change the 2m pipe I would have to rip out a lot of boxing and I won't be able to match the tiles. I'm therefore looking at having to retile the whole bathroom.

Can anyone please suggest a way to clean out this 2m pipe without having to destroy the bathroom?

[foggy]

Copious amounts of chemical drain unblocker stuff down the pan for a sustained period to loosen it up followed by a good head of water flush it through?

[arm3000gt]

Try pouring a few buckets of very hot water down there, then some drain cleaner. Might work.

Or get one of the drain cleaning attachments for a pressure washer/hose. Wrap clingfilm over the toilet first to minimise anything coming back your way.

[Pheo]

Wonder if you could feed a pressure washer drain clearer down it? Nb this might go wrong!

[foggy]

Or is it possible to take just the toilet pan out without destroying anything and getting something round the bend and down the soil pipe to dislodge the build-up?

[SonicHedgeHog]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't know anything about the chemicals required to do this. Would a large quantity of them risk damaging any of the seals on the pipe connections?

Similar question about the jet washer solution. Would that kind of pressure be liable to cause damage?

I have tried multiple buckets of hot water before. I think all that happens is that the water flows over the sediment in the pipe, but doesn't dislodge it and push it into the soil stack.

Really appreciate the advice. Trying not to be too negative in response to some good suggestions.

[jas xjr]

when i worked in construction the site toilets were forever blocked. we used to use a mop as a plunger. never failed to work

Edited by jas xjr on Friday 3rd February 22:06

[arm3000gt]

Maybe try drain snake or toilet auger to loosen everything then buckets of hot water?

[Peanut Gallery]

Large rubber plunger, get the water gushing back and forth over any build-up, lots of flushing afterwards.

[SonicHedgeHog]

OK, I think I'm going to try pretty much everything you're saying. First, I'll have a crack with some chemicals. I'm not going to use weapons grade stuff, but the best I can get from a DIY store. Then I'm going to try a plunger. Then I'm going to buy several shower hoses, connect them up and run them into the pipe. And finally I'll flush with multiple buckets of hot water.

I cant use a pressure washer because there isn't a suitable tap in the flat and messing with sulphuric acid could end my career so that ain't happening.

If that doesn't work it's a call to the pros and if they can't sort it I'll have to pay to get the whole room retiled.

[Sheepshanks]

Is the toilet flush set on its max possible volume?

[SonicHedgeHog]

Good point. I'll check the flush mechanism.

[bristolracer]

Peanut Gallery said:

Large rubber plunger, get the water gushing back and forth over any build-up, lots of flushing afterwards.

This

Do Dynorod use any chemicals? Nope physical force is needed. If the turbulence of a plunger won't work then you will need to rod it.
If you do not have the stomach or the tools to get stuck in, then do not waste your money on glorified bleach to flush away.
Put the cash towards a drain man.

[Murph7355]

I just bought some of this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acid-Toilet-Cleaner-Cleen...

Ironically I tried one more extra long flush the day it arrived and the bloody toilet cleared...I think whatever had lodged in there, limescale or otherwise, dislodged. There's still some scale in there so will give it a go at some point soon.

[SonicHedgeHog]

I get what you're saying about off the shelf chemicals, but this is an odd blockage. The toilet flushes ok apart from a little bit of flow back. It's not like the pipe is full of paper towels or tampons. Any rod would need a long brush on the end that was about the same diameter as the pipe so that it could brush the bottom on the pipe clean. I don't know if they have that kind of attachment.

[Stegel]

It sounds like the fall is so shallow that foul water does not drain nice and cleanly away and some drains back into the pan trap - a build up of scum etc. in the base of the pipe may inhibit flow and make matters worse. It's not so much a blockage from your description as a reduction in flow.

I suggest identifying whichever sink, bath or shower discharges "highest" into the pipe and pour half a bottle of Mr Muscle drain unblocker into it and leave for a few hours while not running any water in any of the fittings that discharge into the pipe. If you're feeling braver, a container of caustic soda (Screwfix) tipped into a bucket of water and then poured straight into the highest toilet pan may clean the pipe too - but do be careful as it is nasty stuff.

[SonicHedgeHog]

The fall definitely isn't great. The problem is where it connects to the soil stack. It's right in the corner behind the bath. The whole lot has to come out to access it.

[Rickyy]

bristolracer said:

This

Do Dynorod use any chemicals? Nope physical force is needed. If the turbulence of a plunger won't work then you will need to rod it.
If you do not have the stomach or the tools to get stuck in, then do not waste your money on glorified bleach to flush away.
Put the cash towards a drain man.

If you can get your hands a product called 'One Shot', it's absolutely evil stuff, >90% sulphuric acid.

[Ashtray83]

Do not put one shot down the pan i did once and it got so hot it cracked the thing

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Try pushing one of those better quality hose pipes down the loo. Not connected to the water, just using it as a tool to dislodge a blockage. They're quite firm so you can push it and it won't fold over but very flexible and will follow the pipework.