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DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
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Message started by londonman on Apr 25th, 2018, 9:45am

Title: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by londonman on Apr 25th, 2018, 9:45am

Is this really possible ?  Enough to cause a blockage?  Mother-in-law had an emergency company out the other night and they poured a load of stuff down telling her that it was a build-up of limescale.  Struggling to understand how that much limescale can block a pipe of that large a diameter.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by Natedog on Apr 25th, 2018, 11:04pm

The underground pipes that serve our house and next door are prone to blocking, and limescale is blamed for it.  Most of the pipe is now plastic, although there is still come clay and some weird cheap-looking stuff (kinda looks like hardboard soaked in bitumen)

The guy from the water board who looked at it (conveniently lives next door :-D) said they describe it as "shale" - a mixture of scale and, erm, well I'm sure you can work it out.

It stops the bottom of the pipe being nice and slippy,  so solids can't slide away as easily.  Need to get it jetted really, but it only takes 5 mins to sort, so I'm not in any mega rush

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by thescruff on Apr 26th, 2018, 9:07am

No LM Not a cat in hells chance.

Public Urinals yes.

Bitumin can collapse, clay can break, so if it's regular get a camera down there and check what/where the damage is.

Are there any trees around or close to the pipe say within 6 mtrs.

Another common problem is paper towel and other sanitary items, not forgetting cooking oils and fats.

One other thought, Has any builders work been done whereas the plasterer, brickie etc could wash cement, plaster etc down the drain.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by londonman on Apr 30th, 2018, 10:05pm

I think it's the guy in the flat above shoving stuff down.

Actually it was the MIL....got some emergency company in who said it was 'limescale' and charged her £360.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by Natedog on Apr 30th, 2018, 11:23pm

Shared pipe?  Water boards problem now, isn't it?

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by thescruff on May 1st, 2018, 8:40am

That applies to external pipes.

If they are rented flats then the landlord is responsible.

Multi-occupancy flats/apartments that are owned/leased, there should be a maintenance program in place where each unit pays a fee.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by CWatters on May 2nd, 2018, 8:27pm

Even if it was limescale (which I doubt) I would be surprised if pouring anything down the drain would shift it. It wouldn't stay in the pipe long enough to dissolve the limescale, it would just run straight over it.


Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by londonman on May 2nd, 2018, 9:38pm


thescruff wrote on May 1st, 2018, 8:40am:
That applies to external pipes.

If they are rented flats then the landlord is responsible.

Multi-occupancy flats/apartments that are owned/leased, there should be a maintenance program in place where each unit pays a fee.


Unfortunately not as simple as that.  MIL owns her own flat ...ground floor.  But local housing association has been gradually buying up all the flats down the cul-de-sac including the lowlife living in the flat above her.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by londonman on May 2nd, 2018, 9:39pm


CWatters wrote on May 2nd, 2018, 8:27pm:
Even if it was limescale (which I doubt) I would be surprised if pouring anything down the drain would shift it. It wouldn't stay in the pipe long enough to dissolve the limescale, it would just run straight over it.


I agree. I think it was a con.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by thescruff on May 2nd, 2018, 10:05pm

in that case, I suggest the local housing association has some liability, be worth sending them an invoice for equal shares.

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by Lectrician on May 8th, 2018, 8:39pm


Natedog wrote on Apr 25th, 2018, 11:04pm:
Most of the pipe is now plastic, although there is still come clay and some weird cheap-looking stuff (kinda looks like hardboard soaked in bitumen)


That sounds like pitch fibre - Prone to being squashed and deformed by the weight from above, turning the pipe oval and eventually flat!


https://www.alpharod.co.uk/drain-repairs/re-rounding-pitch-fibre-drains

Title: Re: Limescale build-up in 110mm soil pipe?
Post by Natedog on May 8th, 2018, 9:21pm


Lectrician wrote on May 8th, 2018, 8:39pm:

Natedog wrote on Apr 25th, 2018, 11:04pm:
Most of the pipe is now plastic, although there is still come clay and some weird cheap-looking stuff (kinda looks like hardboard soaked in bitumen)


That sounds like pitch fibre - Prone to being squashed and deformed by the weight from above, turning the pipe oval and eventually flat!


https://www.alpharod.co.uk/drain-repairs/re-rounding-pitch-fibre-drains


Funny you should say that!  When I used to drive tow trucks for a living, I regularly used to park a 7.5 tonner on the drive.  Had to dig up the drive and replace a length of it where it had squashed, cracked and then snapped altogether.

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