blocked sink...why does everything feel like it's 1 step forward and 2 back?

[sosickofitall]

There is a v v long backstory to this, the crux of which is through no fault of my own I had to have a lot of disruptive building work done (cost mostly covered by home insurance) including a new kitchen. The whole process has been really shitty, and has taken 15 months and counting.

My sink (only put in 5 months ago) is blocked and leaking. Because every contractor (6 companies in all) provided by my insurer has been shit, I have no faith in them to appoint anyone decent. And because of all this bad experience my faith in any tradesman is pretty low.

So when this issue arose I told insurers I will find someone. Except I can't. Friends recommended 2 people. One said it wasn't worth his while and the other hasn't replied to my messages. I still have a leaking and blocked sink I can't use at all, no drinking water, and if I want to wash up I have to do so in the bathroom. The leak has damaged all the cupboard below the sink which is also only 5 months old.

I just feel so despairing of the situation. I appreciate this is a first world problem but I just want it all resolved. After nearly a year without a kitchen now having no sink is so frustrating.

We have checked the u bend (with difficulty as water was gushing everywhere) but it was clear. There's not much more I can do than call a plumber but I have so little faith in anyone doing a decent job.

You are probably struggling to get a plumber as it is a small job and not really worth their time. A handyman type person would probably be a better bet.

I would have a crack at it yourself even if just to isolate the problem or enlist a competent DIY friend to help. It could be the blockage is further along the pipework and that is why you are struggling to clear it. Things like drain unblockers will just sit in the u bend and that is not always where the blockage is. Other sinks being OK does not mean much. They may not enter the same drain or the pipework does not join up. A better clue would be things like dishwashers/washing machines as they often (but not always) connect up to the same pipework. Pop up a photo of under your sink and we can have a look. Also have a look outside and see where your pipe goes and if there are any problems at that point.

Bail the water out from in the sink and then place a bucket under the u bend unscrew it quite slowly and the water should trickle out. If the u bend is blocked clear it out and see if that solves the problem. If the u bend is clear the problem is further down the pipework. You can buy flexible drain unblockers at poundland, slide it down and see if you can hook the blockage or push it through. If you don't hit anything and all is still blocked I would speak to dynorod or similar to look at the drains.

Re the leaking waste try and ascertain if it is where the drain sits in the sink that is leaking or where it screws to the pipework underneath. Both are straightforward fixes for a competent DIYer. But the blockage is the first priority.

Just a quick thought, you say water was gushing everywhere when you checked the U bend. Was it just water from the sink or was it coming back up the waste pipe?

I can't do it myself. I've done the basic solutions and they don't work. I can't put a bowl directly under as I unscrew it due to the layout and as I've said when we did there was nothing in the u bend itself. It's clearly something done by the shit tradesmen used by my insurers. Even if I could clear the blockage whatever it is, I cant fix the seal where sink is leaking. The seal all round the outside of the sink (where it sits in the worktop) has also perished so needs redoing. Which clearly should not be the case just 5 months after it was installed.

Whether I used a plumber or handyman I still have the same concern 're them doing a decent job. And just finding someone in the first place.

I will use a bowl for washing up though, that at least saves me carrying plates up and down stairs.

When our sink leaked it was due to the downpipe from the plughole having dislodged at the top and was fine once I replaced the plughole fitting. Also do you have any appliances draining into the same drain pipe under the sink - washing machine, dishwasher etc - as these could block it if outlet becomes clogged, causing water to back up. Is what is leaking clean or dirty water?

Forgot to mention our local water supplier offers a plumber and maintenance service.

It does sound like they have done a crap job all around and it is rubbish for you.

If you can afford it I would just go straight to a company like dynorod and get then to sort the blockage. They will also be able to identify if there is an issue which is aggravating the problem so you know what to do to prevent it happening again. You will still need the sink resealed and the waste sorted but they may be able to recommend someone who does small jobs on the side. If it is going to be a bigger job such as removing the sink area and redoing the pipework you will have ammunition to go back to the insurance company with.

I hope it gets resolved for you sooner rather than later. I hated washing up in the bathroom while my kitchen was being done and we are in a flat so it's not far!

The dishwasher is connected but all the dishwasher piping has been fitted behind a panel so no access to it. Not that I want to try and dismantle it anyway as I don't know what I'm doing.

If there is any water in the sink it leaks from around the drain/ plughole.

British Gas Homecare also doing plumbing jobs and you don't need to be signed up to the scheme to request a repair.

When the dishwasher runs do you get a gurgling sound from down the sink waste or any water backing up into the sink?

Unsure if you have already tried but we always use mybuilder.com.

You write what your job is, post it and local plumbers in the area get in touch. It’s fantastic, never had a problem with it. You can read their reviews on there too.

sosick whereabouts are you area wise. If Herts, Essex, East or North London I can recommend someone who will resolve all of the issues. We had a whole host of issues and this guy was a miracle.

I would just go bac to your insurers. If you or someone else makes the problem worse, or your insurers can claim you have made it worse then they may invalidate any future claim.

Plus the insurer will make sure someone actually attends and the cost will be covered and if it takes them 3 visits to resolve at least you know it will eventually be resolved.

And if it's a big problem it's not going to cost a million quid.

I would also look at taking on one of those water company insurance policies that cover you for problems with drains on your property. Check the small print to make sure it covers you for pre existing problems.

Best case scenario it's an issue with the plumbing.

Probably best not to use caustic soda or drain unblocker if sink is leaking they will drop into your cupboard and could cause more problems.
Does the sink pipe connect behind to another appliance such as dishwasher or washer and do they work ok.
Does the waste pipe go through the wall into a grid and is the grid working ok.
I would bale out sink into outside grid and use a washing up bowl until you get it sorted. Can you give a vague idea where you are in the country as somebody is bound to know a plumber or handyman who can be trusted

I do already have 2 recommendations from friends, problem is that the guys they recommended just don't want to do the work (or even reply!). No guarantee anyone else who's recommended will be interested. That said I'm in (north) Kent.

My insurers can't help. They only use 3 building companies and all of them have previously been used and I wouldn't have any of them back again as they created the current problems as well as previous ones. So I have no option really but to find someone myself.

Have you checked Local Authority website? We have a Trusted Trader section where you can get tradespeople who have been verified as legitimate.

Please post photos of the pipework under the sink. There's a poster on here with the username PigletJohn who may be able to help you out.

Greater Manchester based do can't help with recommendations sorry. Was just trying to establish if it's the pipe connection to the sink or the outside drain that's the problem. If other appliances connected to same pipes are ok it's just the sink if they are not it it's obviously after their connection. Is the outside grid ok

sosick I've sent to a direct message.

Have you tried dyno plumbing? That's who the British gas homecare service use but anyone can call them