The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began trying to clear it - slowly. Right now, I'm down to floor level with a new auger/snake I got last night. My regular augers were too wide at the end to make the sharp turns in the drainpipe. I ran about 24' of snake directly through the drainpipe. Still plugged. Putting a chemical into the pipe doesn't work because it doesn't go anywhere. I tried baking soda and vinegar, but it foams away as soon as I dump it in.
I'll try later with the snake and see if I can find a longer one.
Any suggestions will be gladly received.
jerryc41 wrote:
The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began trying to clear it - slowly. Right now, I'm down to floor level with a new auger/snake I got last night. My regular augers were too wide at the end to make the sharp turns in the drainpipe. I ran about 24' of snake directly through the drainpipe. Still plugged. Putting a chemical into the pipe doesn't work because it doesn't go anywhere. I tried baking soda and vinegar, but it foams away as soon as I dump it in.
I'll try later with the snake and see if I can find a longer one.
Any suggestions will be gladly received.
The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began t... (
show quote)
Been there done that --
I would call a Plumber -- Have a cup of coffee & watch him/her fix it.
ken_stern wrote:
Been there done that --
I would call a Plumber -- Have a cup of coffee & watch him/her fix it.
That would be admitting defeat.
My next step is to cut a hole in the wall and a pipe to the backyard.
13
Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what
Do NOT use chemicals or drain-o! Just remove the trap and then use the auger cable. You might need a longer cable or go to the nearest clean-out plug-tee and run a cable threw it that way.
13
Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what
13 wrote:
Do NOT use chemicals or drain-o! Just remove the trap and then use the auger cable. You might need a longer cable or go to the nearest clean-out plug-tee and run a cable threw it that way.
When you use the cable... run it in and then out to clear the drain. Oh yea...be sure to put a bucket under the trap to catch the water that is in the trap. Wishing you good luck!
Last time I had that problem the plumber went up on the roof and ran an auger cable down through the vent to the pipe. That obviously takes a long clean-out auger!
jimkolt wrote:
Last time I had that problem the plumber went up on the roof and ran an auger cable down through the vent to the pipe. That obviously takes a long clean-out auger!
That's what the plumber did at our house -- Two yrs ago!!
Calling a Plumber -- Is not admitting to defeat --
It's only allowing your IQ to take over full control
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Last time I had a toilet plug up I called our family plumber and just borrowed his power auger. I had been tempted to just get one of the cheap 25 foot hand augers that you find at Lowes, but he had a good one so I just borrowed it. About 75 lb but it was on wheels. The blockage was certainly more than 10 ft in because the water was backing up in the bathtub also. That was a good thing because it provided an indicator of whether the line was still plugged or not.
The power auger did the job. Ran hot water through the drain for about 5 minutes. After cleaning up I took the auger out on the driveway and pulled out the cable. 37 feet of it was wet.
Always helps to have professional tools. It also helps to have a plumber in the family that has the tools.
Have done plumbing with copper pipe sweated together but he has a crimp tool that is easier and faster. Takes special fittings but they're readily available.
jimkolt wrote:
Last time I had that problem the plumber went up on the roof and ran an auger cable down through the vent to the pipe. That obviously takes a long clean-out auger!
This is the answer I was going to give. I did it a couple of times when I was younger, but at 77 I’m not ever going to do it again. The auger you have to rent weighs about 100-150#, and it’s hard to lift up on the roof and work with it up there. Call a plumber.
jerryc41 wrote:
The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began trying to clear it - slowly. Right now, I'm down to floor level with a new auger/snake I got last night. My regular augers were too wide at the end to make the sharp turns in the drainpipe. I ran about 24' of snake directly through the drainpipe. Still plugged. Putting a chemical into the pipe doesn't work because it doesn't go anywhere. I tried baking soda and vinegar, but it foams away as soon as I dump it in.
I'll try later with the snake and see if I can find a longer one.
Any suggestions will be gladly received.
The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began t... (
show quote)
I will add to the increasing “call a plumber” group
Tom467
Loc: North Central Florida
Jerry, I was going to suggest clearing the vent pipe but Jimkolt beat me to it.
Tom
I had great success with this method a number of years back, Jerry. Hook up your garden hose outside and ( I used a nozzle as illustrated here ) place the nozzle into the drain and tightly pack the circumference with a towel and hold the towel down with one hand. After turning the water on, the pressure cleared the obstruction in both cases. I passed this on to friends and as far as I know it worked for all of them too.
fvasek
Loc: Abingdon, Maryland
jerryc41 wrote:
The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began trying to clear it - slowly. Right now, I'm down to floor level with a new auger/snake I got last night. My regular augers were too wide at the end to make the sharp turns in the drainpipe. I ran about 24' of snake directly through the drainpipe. Still plugged. Putting a chemical into the pipe doesn't work because it doesn't go anywhere. I tried baking soda and vinegar, but it foams away as soon as I dump it in.
I'll try later with the snake and see if I can find a longer one.
Any suggestions will be gladly received.
The kitchen sink was draining slowly, so I began t... (
show quote)
Depending on the situation sometimes a ShopVac works.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Ava'sPapa wrote:
I had great success with this method a number of years back, Jerry. Hook up your garden hose outside and ( I used a nozzle as illustrated here ) place the nozzle into the drain and tightly pack the circumference with a towel and hold the towel down with one hand. After turning the water on, the pressure cleared the obstruction in both cases. I passed this on to friends and as far as I know it worked for all of them too.
Difficult if there is more than one drain that is on your side of the blockage. In my case there was a toilet, sink, and bathtub. Pouring water into the toilet just ran into the bathtub.
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