A Rainham man said he and his family are still awaiting final works to be done to their home after excrement flooded their property last winter. 

After noticing water leaking from behind a unit in his kitchen, John Grant, 53, said he contacted his housing association Clarion on November 11 to send out a plumber. 

John said that neighbours had for some time been complaining about a smell, but that “no one really knew what it was”. 

Once the plumber came round and removed the unit, the source of the stench became clear, according to John.

What flowed into John and his family’s kitchen was, he said, a flood of sewage which had built up due to a pipe leaking for the past 11 years. 

Romford Recorder: John said people on the estate had noticed a smell for some time, but did not know what it wasJohn said people on the estate had noticed a smell for some time, but did not know what it was (Image: John Grant)

John said once released, the sewage came “completely flooding through the whole kitchen".

"We had it running into our living room, into the bathroom. It’s completely damaged all of our flooring," he added.

“The smell was absolutely atrocious for weeks and weeks and weeks."

The plumber was able to sort the leak on the day but John said since then the works to fix his kitchen have been protracted.

He claimed a replacement hob has still not been fitted properly. 

He added that he believes the family should have been given a dehumidifier by Clarion following the incident and claimed that, due to the smell, he had to keep windows open during the cold spell which hit last year. 

He is also in contact with his buildings insurance provider to replace the damaged flooring in his home. 

John said Clarion has told him it will now send someone round on Monday (March 13), when he hopes the remainder of the works will be completed. 

Romford Recorder: John only rang Clarion upon noticing water leaking from behind a unit into his kitchenJohn only rang Clarion upon noticing water leaking from behind a unit into his kitchen (Image: John Grant)

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Cllr Matthew Stanton (Lab, Beam Park), who has been supporting John in his case, felt the issue is a consequence of "poor quality control".

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A Clarion spokesperson said it was determined there was no need for a dehumidifier “because no major drying out was required”. 

They added: “We do apologise for the time it has taken for the follow up works in Mr Grant’s kitchen to be completed and as a good will gesture we have replaced the oven and hob for the family to use, at no cost.

"We will continue to keep our resident updated on the final bits of work which are due to be completed next week.”