Sink leaking and pipe not blocked off

[LPH]

Hi

I have just had a flood in my kitchen where I let the water go from my sink as usual after washing up and it came pouring out an unblocked pipe under the sink.

This has never happened before and we have lived here 2 years! Firstly any tips on how to block off or connect the open pipe to stop it happening again? Also any ideas on why it has happened now?

The sink has a drainer side sink and then the main sink. I will post a picture to illustrate the issue (the unblocked pipe is on the left)! Any help would be hugely appreciated. I have tried to research and wonder if this pipe was connected to the dishwasher which we don't use?

The water only comes out of this pipe when you let a lot of water go at once.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[Iamchamps]

Just buy a cap for it 49p screwfix

http://www.screwfix.com/p/euroflo-trap-blank-off-cap-washer/1877r?_requestid=430063

 

[LPH]

Ah! Thank you!! Any ideas why it has suddenly happened when it's been unblocked for two years and not leaked before? Thanks again

 

[Iamchamps]

The trap could be a bit blocked causing drainage to be slower making it over flow when a lot of water goes down. You could unscrew the actual trap and clean it out while you are playing around.

All them pipes unscrew from each other very easy take a picture before to remember how they go together if unsure and then just give them all a good clean.

 

[LPH]

Thank you! You saved my bacon - just unscrewed the trap (look at the picture!). Will invest in some Mr Muscle for the future. Really appreciate your help!

 

[Jackrae]

That's what happens when you pour molten fat or grease down a sink drain. Further down the line they form "fatbergs"

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Look after your pipes, and you wont need Mr Muscle. That stuff is lethal anyway, get it wrong and you'll melt your pipes, or worse, yourself.

Don't pour fat, food waste etc down the sink, as it just solidifies fairly quickly in the pipework, leading to blockages. Scrape pot, pans and plates into your food waste receptacle or the bin, and rinse off any residual with plenty of hot water.

 

[JohnD]

Invest in an empty baked-bean tin and pour your cooking fat into it, not down the drain. When the tin is full scrape it out for the birds or hang the lump from a tree for them. Failing that, use it to light your Barbie, or put it in the bin.

Boiling water and Washing Soda crystals, used weekly, will reduce existing fat deposits.

Washing soda will not burn holes in your skin, clothes and eyeballs like some other chemicals can.

On the laundry shelf of your supermarket.

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/dri-pak-soda-crystals--fine-1kg

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/285047163

 

[LPH]

Thanks everyone - duly noted. Always try to scrape food off and pour fat away but clearly must try harder! Lesson learnt!

 

[Iamchamps]

See this news article and thought it was fitting for here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4875912/Engineers-work-clear-London-s-biggest-fatberg.html

People who pour fat and other stuff into waste ultimately lead to things like this

 

[JohnD]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/magazine-40417896/the-people-turning-fatbergs-into-fuel