Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 25, 2014 8:53 pm Well, the toilet "flushes" (cistern empties), but it takes 3 minutes to slowly drain. After moving into our brand new house only a month ago, I didn't want to waste time trying calling our plumber after plumber, then finally get an inspection (as I've heard ridiculous stories like half a brick sitting in a pipe!). So I got Tunnel Vision out immediately, to clear suspected blockage and inspect all pipework by camera. There was no blockage, pipework was "clean as a whistle" and they suspect "reflux valve likely problem" and that it doesn't move freely. Builder got the plumber out promptly. They arrived two hours earlier than scheduled (when my wife was doing the school run) so they couldn't access inside, but they replaced the reflux valve. However, it still drains away ever so slowly! I tipped a bucket of water in, to eliminate possibility of defective sanitaryware (i.e. cistern dropping water at wrong angle or flow rate), but again the bowl just filled. After doing some reading, I'm suspecting a defective install - either the vent partially obstructed or a leak in the seal. Plumber cam back today, armed with the info above, and still can't determine what the problem is. He called a few people, but they couldn't help him, so he's seeking out someone else who might be able to help. As you can imagine this is an incredible inconvenience, and not something you would expect after tipping almost $300k into a brand new home. Rather than wait for these guys to dream up a solution, I thought I should post something here and see if any knowledgeable or experienced person might be able to provide a short-cut to arriving at the solution. Thanks!! Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 2Jul 25, 2014 11:01 pm perthling So I got Tunnel Vision out immediately, to clear suspected blockage and inspect all pipework by camera. There was no blockage, pipework was "clean as a whistle" How far along the pipes did the camera go? Did they check the vent? 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 3Jul 25, 2014 11:52 pm I haven't reviewed the DVD yet (I work crazy hours). They would have gone full length (only 3m to valve and elbow). Doubt they checked vent - where is it? what am I looking for? - otherwise I would be able I exclude that as possible cause. Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 5Jul 26, 2014 12:25 am The stink pipe is 50 mm DWV and it vents a minimum 150 mm above the roof. It is hard to imagine them not checking it. You may not have one as they can run an un-vented branch 10 m to a fixture. AS 3500 Part 2.2 Clauses 3.10.3 (a) (i) (ii) & (b) 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 6Jul 26, 2014 6:27 pm I should think they should camera right back to the invert, ( where your sewer connects into the mains). Have a look at the DVD and see if its holding water along the sewer at some place. Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 7Jul 28, 2014 2:26 pm Right. So the plumber came back out again today WITH Tunnel Vision. This time, they found a clump of cement. Not quite rivalling my work colleague's half-brick, but at least we got to the bottom of it. Why Tunnel Vision didn't capture that first time? Clearly they didn't do all the pipework like I requested. (Strongly regret I couldn't be there at the time - took a week off work to manage the finishing trades, which went really well, but all this follow-up stuff is a pain when you're relying on others to be sufficiently diligent). Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 8Jul 28, 2014 10:18 pm perthling Clearly they didn't do all the pipework like I requested. Clearly! 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 9Jul 29, 2014 3:12 pm Thanks for taking the time to post the resolution. It helps the rest of us who may possibly encounter something similar. Seksui KDR in Sydney (2015-2016) Links --> | H1 thread | Final plans | Timing of works updated 9/3/16 | Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 10Jul 30, 2014 8:25 pm clintdb Thanks for taking the time to post the resolution. It helps the rest of us who may possibly encounter something similar. Agreed - it can be disappointing when you build hope, reading a thread where someone has the same issue, and then it abruptly ends (like someone's ripped the last 30 pages out of a good novel). In this case, I reckon prevention is better than cure. The pipes had caps on them when the slab was laid. But, progressively, the caps came off. Anyone building should visit periodically and replace the caps (or insist the build does) - at $1 each or something, it won't break the bank, and is cheaper than getting the professionals out for a preventable problem. Additionally, telling the builder early that you WILL get someone like Tunnel Vision out just to inspect the pipes anyway, and they'll be liable for the cost of the test if there is any construction debris down there... that should get them to take you seriously. Re: Mystery - new house, toilet won't flush 11Jul 31, 2014 12:15 am perthling clintdb Thanks for taking the time to post the resolution. It helps the rest of us who may possibly encounter something similar. It can be disappointing when you build hope, reading a thread where someone has the same issue, and then it abruptly ends (like someone's ripped the last 30 pages out of a good novel). It is good to see the above comments from both of you. Having a good subject topic is also a great help. perthling gave this thread a good heading and this makes it easy for others who later come to the forum looking for particular subject matter. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. 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