jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The kitchen sink has been draining slowly. Between the filter in the drain and the elbow right below the sink, there is no way to get a snake in there. I removed the elbow and then unsoldered the 1.25" elbow leading to the downpipe. That let me run the snake, but not very far. I went farther and unsoldered another elbow. That let me run about 20' of snake through the pipe. I withdrew the snake and poured water into the pipe. Very quickly, the water backed up. The pipe would accept 20' of snake but not a couple of glasses of water. It's barely 20' from the sink to the septic tank, so I can't understand what's going on.

I ordered a 35' snake, which will arrive on Friday. Of course, I tried drain cleaner and a plunger, but the water is still draining slowly. The kitchen sink is in a direct line with the plumbing in the laundry room next door, and all that plumbing works fine.Yes, I could call a plumber, but the last time I did that, he charged $100 just to show up, and I wouldn't get the satisfaction of fixing this myself. I'm not asking for a solution - just venting. What I need is a boroscope on a very long line.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

If the septic tank is 20' away and you used a 20' snake, why did you order a 35' snake? If the laundry drains fine obviously the problem is between the sink and laundry.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

A man after my heart. It’s amazing how we sometimes take care of problems. Been there done that and wouldn’t do it any different again.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Jerry, I retired from a full service mechanical contracting firm a little over a year now. We were a full union shop and our Plumbers and Pipefitters were members of UA 562, we also had sheet-metal workers and fire sprinkler fitters.

Our cost which included their benefit package was $81.20 per hour. The sheet-metal workers were within pennies of being the same. Fire sprinkler fitters were not only more, they had a union rule that no man could work alone so essentially out clients paid double. What was frustrating was that we had to pay the best workers the same as the lack-luster workers because of the rules of employment. The good workers knew it and of course they demanded to be paid as Foreman and Superintendent wage scales rather than weed out the poor performers from their organization.

We were signatory to their contracts and we had to hire from their hiring hall which means we had little choice in who they sent us. I will say that our core group (50 or so) has been with us for 25+years. We operated with over 300 tradesmen on a regular basis.

We provided service as well as system installations. Service rates were $140 per hour plus charges for use of diagnostic equipment and for use of any tool that was valued over $500.

I agree with you that the prices for service have gotten oh-my-gosh expensive.

troutbum Loc: north central pennsylvania

Do you get any junk on the snake when retracting it? I wonder if there is pressure coming up pipe holding water back? Maybe easier to replace that section of pipe, get rid of the gremlin in there. GOOD LUCK

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Seeing that you had to de-solder the pipes, makes me wonder how old they are. If there's any age on them then it's possible that the inside diameter is way less than it should be. If that's the case, then replace with PVC. PVC never gets smaller inside due to rust and build-up and they never rust.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I was thinking the same thing. How old is the system. When was the last time the septic system was cleaned.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

We had the same kinda problem a while ago.
Are you using just the snake cable? A quarter inch cable clears a quarter inch hole.
If it's gooey kitchen grease and veggie matter, you'll just make a temporary hole.
You need a spinner cable with a cutter head, and keep running water to flush it out.
I've got the one you hook a drill to. Works good.
Just gotta keep reminding folk that a garbage disposal does not replace a trashcan.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I had that problem a couple years ago. The sink went into a dry well (greywater only, kitchen sink and laundry). It was about 20 feet from the house. I ran a snake and it hit a blockage. Couldn't get through the blockage. Finally got the backhoe and dug it up. The 1.5" galvanized pipe from the house went about 5', then into a 3" composition pipe then into the drywell. The drywell was empty and the composition pipe had collapsed just outside it.

Dug back to good composition pipe, got some schedule 40 PVC pipe and butted it up to the composition pipe. Wrapped it with rubber roofing material and used clamps to hold it in place. There was some dirt in the galvanized pipe but dumping 20 gallons of hot water into the sink (with the overflows capped) pushed out the dirt.

Had to put a proper cover on the drywell (the original drywell [probably from 1955] had a road sign covering it). Made a form and poured ready-mix concrete into it with some wire for strength and a short piece of rebar for a handle.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good idea!

usken65

Go to Home Depot and get a 30ft inspection camera

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I hate plumbing problems.
Bob

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

If the pipe is soldered it would be copper, copper don't rust!!!!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Jerry
Is there a vent pipe near the sink? if so it may be clogged for wat ever reason

SonyBug

The new better focus boroscopes with long lines are only about $40 on Amazon. Go to it Jerry!