Seal at base of swing-out basin unit

[Chiefssupporter]

We have recently purchased a Hymer ML-I 570 which we are delighted with but with one small problem.
It is fitted with a hand-basin that swings out of the way when you want to use the shower. This unit seems to be missing some form of gasket at the base of the basin unit, as (when it is in place) waste water flows out from the base into the well (and over your feet!) when the plug is pulled.
I am attaching a couple of photos, one showing the whole basin and one showing just that foot of it.
Is there some form of gasket/seal missing and if so, where do I get one from?

Loving the freedom!!!

 

[Minxy]

I'm assuming it swings to the right and over the toilet? Surely it should have a waste pipe inside that should take the water straight down to the waste tank rather than have a gasket on the cover? You need to check to see if the waste pipe has come adrift I think.

 

[TheBig1]

either the internal waste pipe has dropped off, or has fractured

 

[Porridge Oats]

There should be a plug hole at the bottom of the vertical drain pipe cover. You will see it when the shower door is moved from its stowed position. This sometimes becomes blocked with hair etc. If so it tends to overflow.

 

[Chiefssupporter]

Yes this is the exact model. I've checked and our drain is not blocked - the water is restricted just by the size of the plug hole - so just running the tap causes no problem - but pulling the plug on a full sink causes most of the water to run over your feet. Does yours have any sort of rubber or plastic seal at the base of the down-pipe?

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[Chiefssupporter]

I'm assuming it swings to the right and over the toilet? Surely it should have a waste pipe inside that should take the water straight down to the waste tank rather than have a gasket on the cover? You need to check to see if the waste pipe has come adrift I think.

Thanks Minxy Girl (are you getting a bigger motorhome each time you get another dog?!) You would have thought that there should be some sort of flexible pipe but there isn't. and there's quite a gap between the hinged unit and the fixed base - hence the trouble!

 

[Porridge Oats]

Yes this is the exact model. I've checked and our drain is not blocked - the water is restricted just by the size of the plug hole - so just running the tap causes no problem - but pulling the plug on a full sink causes most of the water to run over your feet. Does yours have any sort of rubber or plastic seal at the base of the down-pipe?

No plastic seal at the base. The drain pipe is held in a central position near the bottom with a pipe clip (within the vertical white cover). The water basically pours down from the end of the pipe into the drain.
Looks the same as your photo.
Are you sure the pipework below is flowing freely?

 

[Minxy]

There should be a plug hole at the bottom of the vertical drain pipe cover. You will see it when the shower door is moved from its stowed position. This sometimes becomes blocked with hair etc. If so it tends to overflow.

What numpty came up with that idea ... totally ridiculous!

 

[Porridge Oats]

as (when it is in place) waste water flows out from the base into the well (and over your feet!) when the plug is pulled.

FYI
I filled my basin 3/4 full, then pulled the plug. Waste water flowed out from underneath as you described. This is the first time I have seen this happen. We tend not fill the basin more than 1/4" full or leave plug open when in use.
I know this is not an ideal solution but if you partially open the drain plug allowing the water to drain in a more controlled manner, it should not overflow below.

 

[Chiefssupporter]

FYI
I filled my basin 3/4 full, then pulled the plug. Waste water flowed out from underneath as you described. This is the first time I have seen this happen. We tend not fill the basin more than 1/4" full or leave plug open when in use.
I know this is not an ideal solution but if you partially open the drain plug allowing the water to drain in a more controlled manner, it should not overflow below.

Many thanks for doing this - it went well beyond the call of duty! It has stopped us from pursuing a supposed missing part and, as you say, we will just work out a way of living with this extraordinary design fault. I may slightly obstruct the bottom of the down-pipe and see if this helps. Again many thanks.

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[Minxy]

Many thanks for doing this - it went well beyond the call of duty! It has stopped us from pursuing a supposed missing part and, as you say, we will just work out a way of living with this extraordinary design fault. I may slightly obstruct the bottom of the down-pipe and see if this helps. Again many thanks.

I'm thinking of a small silicone collapsible funnel ... move the sink out of the way so you can see the plug hole then cut the bottom off the funnel so it has a wider hole and just fits inside the plughole and silicone it in taking care to ensure it can still be expanded upwards, swing the sink back over it and then push the funnel up inside the cover around the pipe (you may need to trim the funnel a bit to make it fit). You'd still have to be careful not to overdo the emptying but it should prevent it splashing out.

This should work but be faffy if you are doing it every day.

 

[Chiefssupporter]

I'm thinking of a small silicone collapsible funnel ... move the sink out of the way so you can see the plug hole then cut the bottom off the funnel so it has a wider hole and just fits inside the plughole and silicone it in taking care to ensure it can still be expanded upwards, swing the sink back over it and then push the funnel up inside the cover around the pipe (you may need to trim the funnel a bit to make it fit). You'd still have to be careful not to overdo the emptying but it should prevent it splashing out.

This should work but be faffy if you are doing it every day.

Many thanks for this suggestion. I was all set to play around with this idea and the idea of putting some restriction in the down-pipe on Thursday - then along came Boris Lockdown No 2 - after which we will probably have to drain the system down for winter storage - so I'll have to postpone experimenting! Thank you again for your help.