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1167 days ago

Our drain unblocking experience

Rachana from Boulcott

W&G Drainage Ltd were contacted by our plumbers when there was a blocked toilet bowl in our property in Central Lower Hutt. They used their equipment and told us that they have cleared any blockages but there is some concrete build-up at one point in the drain which may cause the issue again. No super-urgent action was recommended with further action necessary may be in medium-term i.e. not within days. However, the same problem happened 3 more times within less than 2 weeks. They came two more times, each time to do same work but the drain was not fully cleared. We were very disappointed with their work as their focus was not on resolving the issue fully. It was more limited to just pointing out the likely cause of the problem i.e. concrete/glue lip buildup within the drain. For coming 3 times in 10 days and still not fixing the root cause of the issue, they charged us: $672.75, $531.84 and $404.80 totalling $1,609.39 (incl GST).

Just three days later the toilet was again blocked and water was not flushing down the drain. This time we decided to call Marty Leslie (027-668-7581) of Leslie Drain Clearing Ltd. Marty did his intial investigations and was quick to locate the junction box in the front lawn which W&G Drainage did not locate even after 3 visits and $1600 of work. Marty could then insert the camera and drain clearing pipes from the junction box for closer examination of the part of the drain where stuck concrete/stones were rather than the camera etc coming all the way from the gully traps. He then removed some stuck up wet wipes/paper, identified a spot where most of the concrete pieces were stuck and removed all of the concrete/stones. He spent about two hours in all and made sure that the drains were now clear all the way up to the council drain. There have been no further issues since then. Leslie Drainage charged us $402.50 which is far more reasonable having fixed the root cause of the issue that was causing blocked toilet.

More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.6% Yes
    84.6% Complete
  • 14% No
    14% Complete
  • 1.4% Other - I'll share below
    1.4% Complete
1326 votes
2 days ago

scumbags

Sandra from Waiwhetu

There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.

They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.

1 day ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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