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Gurgling waste pipes

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Aquagility | 10:59 Mon 07th Sep 2009 | DIY
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Why does the shower waste gurgle when I use the adjacent basin, and vice versa? How can I stop it?
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When you release water down either plughole it tries to syphon water from the adjacent one because it creates suction within the pipework.To overcome this without pipework reconfiguration you need to get anti syphon traps fitted to the shower and sink.
Something is blocking the free flow of water down one or both waste pipes. First, check the outside drain. Is it blocked? Fill the wash basin with water, then watch what happens in the outside drain when you pull the plug out (or get a willing assistant to watch for you). If the water level in the drain rises noticeably (say, to the top of the drain), then slowly subsides, the blockage is probably there. The drain needs cleaning out. The gurgling noise is caused by the end of the waste pipe being under water whilst it is emptying. Second, if that doesn't seem to be the problem, it's probably the inside of one or both waste pipes being lined (and almost blocked) with soap and all the other detritus that goes down waste pipes. The flow of water - especially in the shower pipe - is too slow to wash away all the soap, etc., which allows it all to build up inside and slow things down. How to fix it? The sure and certain way is to take the pipes apart (if they're modern plastic, they're probably a screw fit or a push fit) and give them a good clean out. The easy, but not so thorough, way is buy a bottle of drain cleaner and use that. Might take more than one application. Best of luck.
It will only be partially blocked - otherwise I agree with the above.
Try pouring one of the proprietary cleaners down there, then wash out. Care in use - most are made from concentrated sulphuric acid.
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Many thanks, all of you. I'll give it a go. Aq.
before you use a proprietory drain cleaner try bicarbonate of soda and vinegar first. see the question about getting limescale off a shower head.
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Thanks, pluriel3. I worked out that the problem could not be between basin and shower (a full basin of water would just begin to come back up the shower waste). So I duly put a whole 300ml bottle of Buster down the shower waste and it is certainly better but still has some way to go.
Buster is too dear to keep on buying it, so I will now try your method. Many thanks.
never use buster it ruins drains!! In future try soda crystals. If it carries on check the manhole to see if there is water laying in it. If so try rodding or get it jetted. xx
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Thanks, 4getmenot. Sounds as though it's well named. In any case, I think £3.29 is a lot to pay for something which probably cost 3p, if that. Cheers, Aq.
You can meet us. Because we provide Find authorized local drain cleaners in your area. Call drain cleaners now at(855-979-9216) for drain cleaning, video camera inspection, a sewer contractor.

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