Gurgling bath in block of flats

sodaha

sodaha

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Hi,

I live on the first floor of a four storey block of flats.

My bath plug hole regularly gurgles (approximately once a day). Water doesn't comes up into the bath though I can see it bubbling away just below and it is often accompanied by a bad smell.

Is this likely to be a problem that I (well a plumber!) can address myself by unblocking the immediate pipe? Or is it likely to be something the building management need to address as it is about wider pipe work in the building? The freehold company are useless and very slow so I am hoping it is something I could sort rather than involving them (and waiting months!).

Thanks!
 
Sounds like the waste pipework may have been installed incorrectly and water that is evacuating from a shared system. This is pulling the water plug/seal from your trap. This will cause a gurgling type noise and when the seal on the trap is broke, this will then allow foul smells to enter via the trap.
 
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I would also get the drains checked. Sounds to me like there may be a partial blockage downstream, and thus when water is discharged elsewhere in the building, it is causing the system to pressurise, hence the gurgling and smell. (Which is probably foul air from the drains being forced back through your bath waste.) You are first floor, i.e. above the ground floor I am assuming?
 
Agree with Hugh above... Appears that foul air is getting pushed towards your bath waste, rather than pulled from it. This means it's unlikely you'll be able to resolve it within your demise! Downstream services need to be checked and air admittance upstream (ie flats above you need vents looking at!
 
Hugh, yes there is one floor below me.

Thanks all! I will write a letter to the building management about getting the drains looked at and start the process.
 
Might be less awkward than getting a management co. to do anything.:whistle:
 
Hi all,

Thanks very much for your answers before. I finally got my management company to have the drains cleaned from the outside and it completely flooded my bathroom with filthy water. As I wasn't told it was happening and wasn't in when it happened it has left quite a mess of my bathroom. The management company are claiming that it only flooded because of a problem with the way my plumber did works when I had a new bath, shower and toilet fitted last year. The gurgling problem existed before I refurbished my flat so I think this sounds like excuses! What do you think? I have asked for more details on why exactly they think this flooding is due to my plumber's work but don't have any details so far. Your help is much appreciated!
 
How did they clean the drains? Internal flooding can be caused by a blowback when high pressure water jetting is used to clean sewers.

I cannot see how the way the appliances were fitted could cause an issue suddenly, especially if you weren't even using any of them at the time. Can you photos up of the mess? Still sounds to me though like a blowback, which is down to the drainage company that have done the work, they should be insured for this type of eventuality!
 
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Thanks Hugo, that is what I suspected.

I just have one photo which I have hopefully uploaded.
 
FFS: it even made it to the basin! Or is the mess in there due to an attempt at clean up on your part?
 
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