Blocked drain!

[chris_and_julie]

If you're on mains drainage then I'd be inclined to try a caustic soda drain cleaner first - follow the instructions very carefully as it's nasty stuff but will get through most organic blockages.

However, I'm a bit concerned about the water bubbling up outside the pipe. Could an underground pipe have collapsed so that the blockage is caused by soil/clay? An exploratory dig should give you the answer.

Good luck!
Brian

Thanks Brian. I've tried the caustic soda route and that has the same effect as boiling water. Like you I am concerned that the pipe from the outside of the house has collapsed/broken and that's the issue. I suppose what I am really asking is where does the property end? The kitchen sink pipe leaves the through the kitchen wall and down into the ground on a public walkway.

Chris