Few householders ever really think about their waste water system until they suffer from a blocked drain. Fewer still ever have much of an idea of how it works. Generally speaking there is a large diameter pipe running from the WC, this is the soil stack, which leads to the underground drains. This drain will produce rather unpleasant gases from the waste and these are released into the atmosphere at a safe height above the house from the open top of the pipe. If you encounter a problem with blocked drains, Penzance based Westcountry Drains can help.
Waste water pipes attached to upstairs plumbing fittings, such as showers, baths and basins join the waste stack directly, usually through a hopper which funnels the water via a second vertical pipe. Downstairs plumbing, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers all join the drains at gound level. Gutting downpipes join the drains as well and the whole system is designed to use gravity to flush itself through without any intervention.
Blockages can and do occur though. An unpleasant smell from your plug holes can be the first sign, or emanating from inspection chambers. Severe blockages can force sewage to overflow from gullies or from the covers of inspection chambers. In badly blocked drains, the water can be forced back up the pipes to the pipe into the house.
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