toilet problems

[Freddofreg]

Hi hoping someone can help. We have an ensue bathroom that was added about 20 years ago. The toilet flushes into a separate soil pipe which runs into a drain at the side of the house. The toilet has not flushing well for some time and we have stopped using it. However sometimes waste comes back into the toilet, and the smell is terrible. The en suite is on the first floor so I am worried. What might be causing this? I have had a plumber round who didn't know, he checked the manholes outside and could see no sign of obstructions in the drain.

pretty sure it must be a blockage

Odd that your plumber couldn't trace it

As it is a later addition, the pipe might follow a strange route. It might even have been (illegally) added to a rainwater drain, in which case it must be disconnected. Have a look on your council's website for the Building Regulations approval and plan.

Start by trying to find a better plumber. Gnarled and wrinkled may be a good sign. If necessary you can get a drain survey company who will poke a miniature camera down the pipe.

Hello - just thought I would update in case anyone else experiences the same problem (sorry re log in change - password problems). Thank you for the advice. Called another plumber who advised over the phone that it was likely to be a blockage and therefore to call drains people. Called drains people who also advised over the phone that it wasn't a blockage as the toilet flushes ok and water doesn't back up. They thought it was a problem due to the drain drying out due to a poor toilet flush mechanism and not being used much (we have an ancient bidet in the room which isn't used). Advised chucking half a bucket of water down the loo every day and running water into the bidet periodically. So - this is what I have done and so far no smell.....

"sometimes waste comes back into the toilet"

An empty bidet trap won't cause that.

I realise that - but would the poor toilet flush account for that?

h'mmm

If you get round to it, swap the syphon for a flapper valve. It gives a superlative flush. Adjust the fill level as high as it will go without reaching the overflow.

If you have one of those cisterns with a button in the lid, save up for a new one.