HELP! PLUMBER COULD NOT DISLODGE BLOCKAGE IN KITCHEN PIPEWORK - NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT

Hi, Do you know how far from the main outside drain this pipe go? and where the pipe travels through the flat? Have you. checked all the outside visible waste pipes to see if there’s any blockages? As it’s a flat: do lower floor flats have any issues? If there’s a collapsed external pipe and other people are having issues this should be the maintainer companies job if it’s internal it would be good to know the exit of the pipe too

Hi, Thanks for reaching out and sorry to hear you’ve had such a stressful experience, that’s a lot to deal with. Based on what you’ve described, here’s my honest assessment: Immediate issue The blockage is most likely a build-up in the pipework between your washing machine outlet and the main stack. Given that rodding and chemicals haven’t shifted it, it’s likely compacted debris or a partial collapse further along the pipe. Regarding snaking In a first floor flat I’d recommend a CCTV drain survey before any snaking is attempted. This will show exactly where the blockage is and whether there is any pipe damage, protecting you from liability before any further work is carried out. Regarding the units Removing the units doesn’t necessarily mean damaging them. An experienced tradesman can carefully remove and refit kitchen units without causing significant damage in most cases, so I wouldn’t let that put you off exploring access to the pipework. Regarding a full kitchen refit Unless the pipework requires extensive access along the full run, I wouldn’t recommend a full refit purely to solve a drainage issue, it’s likely unnecessary cost at this stage. My recommendation Start with a CCTV survey, understand exactly what you’re dealing with, then make a decision from there. That way you’re not spending money blind. Happy to attend, take a look and advise further if that would help. Kind regards, Prima Maintenance Services

I wouldn’t rush into a full kitchen refit until the exact cause and location of the blockage has been identified. If the washing machine standpipe is backing up and conventional rodding hasn’t cleared it after 3 hours, the next logical step is usually a CCTV drain survey of the waste pipework rather than more aggressive rodding. This can often identify whether you’re dealing with a collapsed pipe, a poor installation, a hidden grease build-up, or a blockage at a bend behind the units. As you’re in a first-floor flat, I understand your concern about potential water damage to the property below. However, a professional drain specialist using CCTV equipment should be able to assess the condition of the pipework before attempting anything more invasive. Regarding responsibility, if the managing company has confirmed that the affected waste pipe serves only your flat, it is often your responsibility as the leaseholder. Nevertheless, I would double-check the lease wording, as responsibility for concealed pipework can vary between developments. Before removing kitchen units, I’d also contact your buildings insurer and ask whether “trace and access” cover applies. Some policies will contribute towards the cost of removing and reinstating units if they need to be taken out to access a hidden leak or damaged pipe. A kitchen replacement could end up being more expensive than the plumbing repair itself, so I’d treat it as a last resort rather than the first solution. A CCTV survey and a second opinion from a specialist in internal waste pipework would probably be money well spent before making any major decisions.

Hello, Based on what you’ve described, I would be reluctant to spend money on a kitchen refit until the exact cause and location of the blockage has been identified. A blockage that has resisted three hours of rodding and chemical treatment suggests that this may not be a simple build-up of debris. Possibilities include a collapsed pipe, displaced joint, severe scale/grease accumulation, or a problem with the waste pipe configuration behind the units. My first recommendation would be to arrange a CCTV camera inspection of the waste pipework. A camera survey can often pinpoint the location and nature of the obstruction without the need to remove kitchen units unnecessarily. The footage can also provide evidence if there is a structural pipe defect, which may be useful for insurance purposes or discussions with the managing company. I would also seek a second opinion from a drainage specialist who has CCTV equipment and experience with internal waste pipe investigations. While some drainage companies focus mainly on external drains, others specialise in internal pipework and can often diagnose issues more effectively than repeated rodding attempts. Given that you are in a first-floor leasehold flat, your concern about causing damage to the property below is understandable. For that reason, I would avoid extensive DIY snaking or forceful mechanical clearing until the condition of the pipework has been confirmed. If a pipe has become damaged or disconnected, aggressive clearing methods could potentially make matters worse. Before authorising any invasive work, it may also be worth reviewing your buildings insurance and contacting your insurer for guidance. Many policies cover trace-and-access investigations where concealed pipework needs to be exposed to locate a fault, although cover varies between policies. If the camera survey identifies a localised defect behind the kitchen units, it may be possible to carry out a targeted repair with limited removal of cabinetry rather than undertaking a full kitchen replacement. In many cases, a focused investigation and repair proves considerably more cost-effective than replacing an otherwise serviceable kitchen. In short, my suggested order of action would be: 1. Obtain a CCTV camera inspection of the waste pipework. 2. Get a second opinion from a specialist in internal drainage/waste systems. 3. Check insurance cover for trace-and-access and escape-of-water claims. 4. Only consider removing units or replacing the kitchen once the exact fault location is known. At this stage, spending money on diagnosis is likely to be far more cost-effective than committing to a kitchen refit based on assumptions about where the problem may be.

If rodding for 3 hours hasn’t shifted it, it sounds like there’s a proper blockage further down the waste line rather than something simple under the sink. I wouldn’t jump to replacing the kitchen. In a lot of cases the units don’t need removing at all. Personally, I’d stop using drain chemicals now and get a plumber with a drain camera/CCTV or proper drain equipment to locate exactly where the blockage is first. No point ripping out units until you know what you’re dealing with. Also, if it’s a first-floor flat, it’s worth checking whether part of the pipe run is shared before assuming it’s fully your responsibility.

First of all sorry to hear about your situation. What should be done is the washing machine & all attachments including drain hose should be disconected. I would then use a very powerfull liquid dissolver called "One Shot" ( be aware this needs to be used with caution) down the waste outlet, of which I've used before and has a 100% success rate. This would have removed the blockage. I would check and test the washing machine drain hose, once confirm cleared I would re-connect the washing machine and run a test wash to complete the job. Note:- Unfortunately a rod can only reach so far down a pipe outlet.

If there is any chance to potentially re route the waste from the appliance to reconnect at a different point past the blockage? If accessible of course. Or a re route of the lot. Kitchen units can be removed to gain access, Getting in a kitchen fitter to remove would be the best bet of preventing damage etc.