Need to buy a plumber's snake in the San Sai area

[buddhaland]

Recently, my toilet has started backing up frequently. I don't flush any paper products down the toilet, but the problem keeps getting worse. Even this condo's ancient plunger isn't working any more. I think only a plumber's snake will do the trick - anyone know of a hardware or other store in my area that would have one for sale? I live on highway 118 (the road to Chiang Rai) just past the intersection with Ring Road 2. Many thanks!

[shepsel]

Instead of running around to the smaller thai hardware stores, it may be worth the drive to Home Pro on the Super Highway to stave time and aggravation.

[hml367]

It is possible that the problem is the venting of the system. The vent between the toilet and the septic/sewage system is often not installed in single family dwellings in Thailand.

I had a problem with a toilet in our outside area that it would not flush well. Had people come in with snakes, pumps, and the whole gamut. The problem was solved by removing one of the hold down bolts on the toilet which allowed the air to vent. No problems since then and no odor.

A member on ThaiVisa was kind enough to have a look at this and the person mentioned the venting situation along with some other possibilities. I can't thank the person enough, but I won't put the name out of courtesy.

I am not saying a snake will not solve the problem, but I could not find a snake to purchase (luckily, as it turns out) and I went through some grief trying to get a snake through everything and there was nothing blocking the system other than air between the toilet and the septic tank, in my case.

[eyecatcher]

The venting scenario you discuss is more likely to occur with high level wcs not ground floor wcs.

Certainly do not need to vent it, but the drain is likely to be vented elsewhere,around mh lid, open gullies.

I would say your problem is the lack of fall in the drain, your 100 diam drain should be falling at 1:40 but here its 1:1000000...or uphill!

Over time its just collecting, sitting on pipe joints, lumps of concrete that were never cleaned out ...snakes?

In the first instance I would get lots of buckets of water and discharhe them all into the bowl, the pressure and constant rush of water may clear the blockage.

You can also include the drain cleaner crystals in some buckets, they eat $h1t like nothing else very quickly, and dissolve hair balls and the like.

I would err on the side of caution about removing bolt plugs as you could solve one problem but create and completely new one.....a very smelly house.!

[hml367]

Not suggesting to take the hold down out of someone else's toilet. I am just putting what worked for me, which accomplishes the venting.

If I end up with problems of odor or back pressure pushing effluent through the hold down hole, I will try to get someone to install the vent pipe.

By the way, I mentioned to the people working on my system about a vent pipe and they said there is no need for that. Then when they took out the hold down bolt they explained that it vented the system. Go figure!

[buddhaland]

I neglected to mention in my initial post that my condo is on the fourth floor of an 8 story condo tower. I reckon that negates a lot of the good advice you folks have provided. Any particular insights now that you know that I am quite high off the ground? Otherwise, I think I will go the snake route. Thanks so much, though, for all your help!

[ajnamoon]

Hi there

you could try soda crystals mix in bucket of water till fully dissolved put down toilet pan leave for about 20 mins then flush toilet its about 50 baht kilo bag

you say ur in San Sai there is a very Big DIY store there called HOME MALL just off one of the main roads about 4 times the size of Home Pro much bigger selection and alot cheaper than home pro you may get a snake there been to home Mall many times everything you need there paint pluming electrical tools etc check it out

Cheers

[eyecatcher]

Just to get the full picture; ok so you are high up; so blockage unlikely.

you said the toilet backs up.....do you mean it doesnt flush properly and the bowl just fills up when the cistern is flushed?..............in effect there is a vacuum being created.

pretty much like trying to fill a bottle of water with a funnel blocking the neck,

if the stack is not vented, then yes a vacuum can occur and of course you can end up with the full stench of the drains coming up through any open shower drains.

did you ask neighbours above and below using the same stack if they experience the same probelm?

[Dante99]

I neglected to mention in my initial post that my condo is on the fourth floor of an 8 story condo tower. I reckon that negates a lot of the good advice you folks have provided. Any particular insights now that you know that I am quite high off the ground? Otherwise, I think I will go the snake route. Thanks so much, though, for all your help!

If your neighbors are having a similar problem, then it is in the common drain that is used by many units, and the condo management should handle it.

If it is only you with the problem, then you need to clear the pipe from your toilet to the common drain with a snake or chemicals and/or stop putting large deposits in the toilet that are causing blockage.

If it was a venting problem, it probably would have made itself known long ago unless something recently blocked the venting.

[taotoo]

I have a snake which I (probably) got from Home Mall on the outer ring road:

http://www.homemall.co.th/newweb/index.php?pagename=contact

[srn89]

Try Global House Hang Dong to Super Highway road

[INDI12]

Im in Maejo. I have a good Rigid brand snake from states. hook up to a drill..squeeze trigger to push cable . reverse drill squeeze trigger to retract. not sure but it think i saw some similar at global.

if not u could give mine a try

[PLW]

Well if your toilet has been working fine then it sounds likes clog problem. Try chemicals first before buying a 10,000 Baht snake. Poor venting can cause accumulation in the pipes over time. Ask your condo board for a trusted plumber to fix your problem. Remember you are liable for any collateral damage that you do to your neighbors below. Its cheaper to pay a Thai plumber than go buy a sewer snake. Your in a Condo. where do you store it? Why sweat when you can delegate.

[kaptainrob]

Bicarb and vinegar treatment may help.

Snakes available at all the big hardware stores and cheap too, not 10k!

[Dante99]

I hope that the OP after more than a year has his problem solved. But I guess it still is possible that he checks this thread daily in hopes of salvation.

[eyecatcher]

I hope that the OP after more than a year has his problem solved. But I guess it still is possible that he checks this thread daily in hopes of salvation.

Indeed!

Well I am happy someone(PLW) came out hibernation; I finally got two ticks for something I wrote 15 months ago.

nice to be appreciated; better late than never eh?