Endoscope down blocked toilet

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r_c

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Our toilet is often blocking up. I was wondering if it was worth pushing an endoscope like this down to see if I can find anything, before getting a plumber out.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inspection-Depstech-Borescope-Endoscope-Smartphone-Black/dp/B01NBFTAHE

The cord has some stiffness. I am worried it might be too stiff to push down a toilet to get around the bends.

Can anyone tell me they think this would work? Or should I be looking for another kind of endoscope that is easier to push down a toilet? Any links would be appreciated.

Thank you
 
Trouble with these cheapie 'endoscopes' is the head isn't actively steerable from the control end- that thing will probably get through the U bend in the loo OK but if (as is common) there's a pipe bend just behind the loo then it'll almost certainly jam there- depends how semirigid the thing is as to whether you can steer it effectively.

You might be better (making some assumptions here) persuading other occupants of the house not to chuck wetwipes, sanitary towels and masses of looroll down the cludgie……..
 
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r_c said:
I was wondering if it was worth pushing an endoscope like this down to see if I can find anything,
Click to expand...
Doubt the lighting will be sufficient for use in total darkness and field of view is poor. Dont forget the led lighting in total darkness will reflect against the water,just like shining a torch into a mirror.

The amazon item mentioned may work better than the internet sourced items i have previously used. Have used cctv drain surveys companies before for drains that randomly clog up,well worth the money (y)
 
Thank you all for your helpful comments/suggestions/experiences. I will give the endoscope idea a miss for now, and possibly purchase some kind of plumbing/drain insurance that includes a CCTV service.

I should have been more clear in my original posting. The toilet often blocks so that it takes maybe a 1 minute to drain. I then use a plunger like this to clear it but it's a pain to do as one person has to constantly be refilling the bowl while one pumps with the plunger. Thankfully it's not full of brown water, but clear water that takes a while to drain.

HERTSDRAINAGE2010 said:
Tell us more about the blockage/toilet. Is the pan connector flexible or rigid? Upstairs or downstairs toilet? Anything else blocking up, eg basin next to the toilet? When the toilet is blocked and the basin used does the water level rise in the toilet bowl?
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The pan connector is rigid - see photo. I had an inkling that I should be able to do some kind of test with water from the basin, but wasn't sure exactly what. You've clearly said what I need to look for - water rising in the toilet bowl when the basin tap is on. I'm guessing this may give an indication of where the blockage may be? I will try this experiment when it next blocks.

[GALLERY=media, 102729]20190411_212255 by r_c posted 11 Apr 2019 at 11:01 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 102730]20190411_230450 by r_c posted 11 Apr 2019 at 11:07 PM[/GALLERY]
 
My next question would be, do you have any young children in the house, as a toy might have been flushed down the toilet and causing a partial blockage? Also did you have a toilet rim refresher that was clipped onto the side of the bowl that is not there anymore?

At least your toilet is very easy to remove for access if need be.

Andy
 
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When your toilet blocks again and the basin can be used with no problem then the blockage is in the toilet and not down the drain line/soil stack.

My guess then would be an obstacle in the toilet or too much paper is being use.

Andy
 
Your waste from sink enters the elbow of the toilet , if this pipe was pushed in too far and/or cut to leave a rough edge it could encourage debri to build up on the elbow .
 
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HERTSDRAINAGE2010 said:
My next question would be, do you have any young children in the house, as a toy might have been flushed down the toilet and causing a partial blockage? Also did you have a toilet rim refresher that was clipped onto the side of the bowl that is not there anymore?

At least your toilet is very easy to remove for access if need be.
Click to expand...
Yes to children, no to toilet rim refresher. Fingers crossed it's not a toy. That's good to know that the toilet is easy to remove.

HERTSDRAINAGE2010 said:
When your toilet blocks again and the basin can be used with no problem then the blockage is in the toilet and not down the drain line/soil stack.
Click to expand...
As you suggest, next time I will try the basin and see what happens to the level in the toilet.
 
Hugh Jaleak said:
I'd put money on that stack is capped with an AAV, and the issue is downstream.
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It is not capped with an AAV. Although I have only recently found out about these, and was considering using them as I don't like the way the soil stack has to go around the eaves and protrude so high up. But it sounds like AAVs are not perfect and can cause issues like I am facing.
 
foxhole said:
Your waste from sink enters the elbow of the toilet , if this pipe was pushed in too far and/or cut to leave a rough edge it could encourage debri to build up on the elbow .
Click to expand...
That's interesting. Something to look for if I have to get someone in pull it apart.
 
r_c said:
It is not capped with an AAV. Although I have only recently found out about these, and was considering using them as I don't like the way the soil stack has to go around the eaves and protrude so high up. But it sounds like AAVs are not perfect and can cause issues like I am facing.
Click to expand...

Right, well that discounts that theory then, although I am now assuming this is an upstairs WC, and connects into that same stack. Does make the issue more likely to be behind the pan, rather than downstream.

Building regs require the head of the drain to be vented, which will probably be why you have an open vented stack. AAV's are fine in some circumstances, but they do not mitigate the need for ventilation on the system.
 
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