My new walk in shower draining slowly but not all the time. Is it an airlock?

[Caz]

Hi there. I have had a new shower fitted with a low Profile shower tray by Merlyn Truestone. About three or for times a week it drains slowly and overflows the low form tray. Once we use the plunger on it it’s fine. Does this suggest an airlock and if so what do I do?
The drainage pipes from the shower run straight for about 2.5 feet then there’s a 90 degree turn and then it joins the basin waste pipe via a T junction. The basin and toilet drain without any problems. The builder is adamant the right fall is on the pipes. Is this an airlock? All advice very welcome!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Sounds like the waste pipe is the issue

 

[Millsy 82]

Is it a new waste pipe or have they just reused the existing waste pipe.

Do you clean the hair out of the trap. (Ours has to be done twice a week I think my mrs is going bald)

It sounds like a partial blockage to me.

 

[townfanjon]

A waste pipe should not be straight , that will probably be the problem

 

[rpm]

A waste pipe should not be straight , that will probably be the problem

Straight or level?

 

[townfanjon]

The builder is adamant the right fall is on the pipes.

Builder !!!! , I have never met one who has any idea of any aspect of plumbing . Can you post any pics ?

 

[Caz]

Is it a new waste pipe or have they just reused the existing waste pipe.

Do you clean the hair out of the trap. (Ours has to be done twice a week I think my mrs is going bald)

It sounds like a partial blockage to me.

Hi there. But if it’s a blockage why does it drain well some days and not others? Also no build up of hair - this problem has been happening off and on since we had the bathroom refurbished a few weeks ago so no time for hair to build up.

 

[Caz]

Builder !!!! , I have never met one who has any idea of any aspect of plumbing . Can you post any pics ?

No pictures of the drainage system to send as it’s all finished now and tiled over.

 

[Marc Bowers]

Not good practice to tee a basin and shower waste together unless the pipe size is increased. Could be a build up on the shower side of the basin tee.

 

[WC1]

A sticky one way 40mm 1 way valve has given similar symptoms. Had me tearing my hair out, turned out the clowns had boxed it in.. just a thought.

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/mcalp...gclid=CMzkzKi_2uICFdaI1Qod5YAK8w&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Millsy 82]

Hi there. But if it’s a blockage why does it drain well some days and not others? Also no build up of hair - this problem has been happening off and on since we had the bathroom refurbished a few weeks ago so no time for hair to build up.

You said once you use a plunger it works fine again so you have shifted the blockage.

 

[townfanjon]

The up-shot of this problem is whoever fitted it
cannot have done it correctly, its only been a few weeks.

 

[oz-plumber]

Just get someone in the camera the drain.
Then you'll know for sure whether the builder has done it right.

Let him know that if there is a problem, he will be up for the repairs & rectifications including the cost of the camera inspection.

 

[Ben-gee]

A sticky one way 40mm 1 way valve has given similar symptoms. Had me tearing my hair out, turned out the clowns had boxed it in.. just a thought.

Ask the "builder" if he fitted one of these.

It is poor practice to tee basin/shower wastes together as it can result in basin waste entering the shower - to combat this "builders" often fit these one way valves - causing the problem you are experiencing.

 

[Riley]

I’m like a broken record but builders build plumbers plumb I wish people would start taking note

 

[Caz]

Ask the "builder" if he fitted one of these.

It is poor practice to tee basin/shower wastes together as it can result in basin waste entering the shower - to combat this "builders" often fit these one way valves - causing the problem you are experiencing.

I have spoken to the plumber the builder used on the job. He said he’s confident the 90 degree turn and the T junction do not affect the flow. The drainage pipes from the shower are 1.5 inches in diameter. Maybe our best bet is to get a camera down there ....

 

[Riley]

Must be at their cost. You won’t have blocked it in that time

 

[rpm]

IF the op was to put plugs in basin(s) and tape over the overflows and then finds the shower doesn`t drain would that help pin point the problem area?
(Just asking).

 

[Mrb]

I’m like a broken record but builders build plumbers plumb I wish people would start taking note

But I’m a plumber but I can also paint, walls that is not like Mozart, what’s that about?

 

[Riley]

But painting shouldn’t cause any detrimental affect to a system if you don’t have a clue. It will just look crap

 

[SimonG]

Riley's in the house