If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options
Saniflow Bill Dispute
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hi,
I live and rent a basement flat that has a Saniflow system installed (which pumps foul water from my toilet, bath and basin upwards to street level.
Over the past 3 months, my toilet has become progressively blocked to the point at which no water was flushing. I had a go at unblocking this myself and I surprisingly pulled a sock out from it. This unblocked it for a while, but a day or so later it became fully blocked. When you flush the toilet, the Saniflow system makes a noise for about 6 secs. This noise had become quite loud by now.
So, I decided to contact the Estate Agent about the problem who informed me that their ‘local plumber’ would have a look at it straight away.
I decided to pop home at lunchtime (as I work just around the corner) and my Landlady spotted me (she lives above me). She knew about the blocked toilet and told me that the plumber had been round. My Landlady then told me “THAT GIRL WHO STAYS AT YOURS HAS PUT A SANITARY TOWEL DOWN THE TOILET AND BLOCKED IT” I couldn’t believe what she was saying, a) that’s my girlfriend she’s talking about and b) I don’t believe for one minute that she would of put a sanitary towel down there.
So, fuming, I went back to work and called the estate agent. They informed me that a sanitary towel could be the cause and that a specialist plumber from out of town would have to look at it. They asked me if this was ok. I said it was (because I needed a working toilet) but could they investigate the cause. They said they would and if it appeared to be my fault I would have to pay the bill. At this stage, I told them I would and stupidly I mentioned that I had earlier retrieved a sock from the toilet.
The next day, the plumber came and fitted a brand new Saniflow system ( I was out so I couldn’t ask him myself what the actual cause was) The plumber also left the old saniflow system outside my house and buggered off!
A couple of days later ( I had now disposed of the old Saniflow box), the estate agent called me up to say that they had received the bill. I asked what the cause was and (coincidentally they told me that a sock had blocked the motor inside the saniflow system!) I definitely couldn’t believe this was the cause. The bill came to £611.
Outraged, this didn’t sound right. How could they just go ahead and fit this system without telling me the price. Surely 3 quotes had to be obtained ( I know a plumber who probably could of done the work at trade price).
Any advice would be appreciated.
I have a meeting with the Agent today. I will let you know how it goes.
I live and rent a basement flat that has a Saniflow system installed (which pumps foul water from my toilet, bath and basin upwards to street level.
Over the past 3 months, my toilet has become progressively blocked to the point at which no water was flushing. I had a go at unblocking this myself and I surprisingly pulled a sock out from it. This unblocked it for a while, but a day or so later it became fully blocked. When you flush the toilet, the Saniflow system makes a noise for about 6 secs. This noise had become quite loud by now.
So, I decided to contact the Estate Agent about the problem who informed me that their ‘local plumber’ would have a look at it straight away.
I decided to pop home at lunchtime (as I work just around the corner) and my Landlady spotted me (she lives above me). She knew about the blocked toilet and told me that the plumber had been round. My Landlady then told me “THAT GIRL WHO STAYS AT YOURS HAS PUT A SANITARY TOWEL DOWN THE TOILET AND BLOCKED IT” I couldn’t believe what she was saying, a) that’s my girlfriend she’s talking about and b) I don’t believe for one minute that she would of put a sanitary towel down there.
So, fuming, I went back to work and called the estate agent. They informed me that a sanitary towel could be the cause and that a specialist plumber from out of town would have to look at it. They asked me if this was ok. I said it was (because I needed a working toilet) but could they investigate the cause. They said they would and if it appeared to be my fault I would have to pay the bill. At this stage, I told them I would and stupidly I mentioned that I had earlier retrieved a sock from the toilet.
The next day, the plumber came and fitted a brand new Saniflow system ( I was out so I couldn’t ask him myself what the actual cause was) The plumber also left the old saniflow system outside my house and buggered off!
A couple of days later ( I had now disposed of the old Saniflow box), the estate agent called me up to say that they had received the bill. I asked what the cause was and (coincidentally they told me that a sock had blocked the motor inside the saniflow system!) I definitely couldn’t believe this was the cause. The bill came to £611.
Outraged, this didn’t sound right. How could they just go ahead and fit this system without telling me the price. Surely 3 quotes had to be obtained ( I know a plumber who probably could of done the work at trade price).
Any advice would be appreciated.
I have a meeting with the Agent today. I will let you know how it goes.
0
Comments
I expect that some sort of blockage, such as the sock you mentioned probably damaged the motor. I doubt very much that the motor is a servicable item, instead the entire unit needs replacing.
As for your girlfriend, if you managed to get a sock down there, it's not really beyond the realms of possibility that she left a sanitary towel in it.....
Whatever was wrong with it, it was broken and to fix it the entire unit had to be replaced, and now it works.
A quick search on the internet shows that the most basic model for just a toilet costs around £270. If you're entire flat is downstairs it's highly likely that you had the bigger version to power your shower/sinks e.t.c.
If this is the case you're looking at 300-400 quid plus a few hours to install.
I think for a job like that, where you've damaged the unit yourself and when you've gone out instead of waiting for the plumber, £600 isn't unreasonable.
These units very rarely fail. But they can be blocked very easily with sanitary products.
The unit will not block over time i.e - a gradual build up.
Unless you had just moved in (and I do mean 'just' moved in) then the sock must have accidentally been dropped there by you. The unit would not run for 1 flush, let alone 1 day with a sock in it.
Sanitary products are the number one cause of blockages on saniflow units.
I would hazard the old unit was working fine but was blocked.
An expensive lesson - dont drop socks or saniatary towels down the loo
Also, I doubt you put a sock down the toilet yourself, did you find out how this got there?
I don't see how they can install a brand new system without even consulting you, I would have thought they'd at least have to ask you if you evern wanted it done! As you said, you could probably have found someone to do it cheaper
You need to understand how these units work to understand how they fail/block up.
They are not like an ordinary toilet. Think of it as a kitchen sink disposal unit. It has blades which 'mash' the particles. If you dropped a knife down the kitchen disposal unit it wouldnt gently block up...the unit would just stop.
It is physically impossible that the saniflow would run with a sock in it. It just cant happen. It would block and shut off the moment the sock went into the toilet and the toilet was flushed.
You dont have a choice of fitting or not fitting a new unit. Its a health hazard. The flat would be deemed unfit for human habitation without a functioning loo/sink/shower.
£600 for a new unit plus fitting plus removing old unit is very fair.
Its a disgusting job to deal with. You'd be hard pressed to get the job done for less.