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Author:
cattlegaps (AL)
My kitchen sink has water backing up in it. I took the P-trap off & snaked it, but apparently couldn't get to the clog. My house was built in 1950's & is on a slab with metal piping. However, I have re-plumbed under the sink with PVC.
Anyway, since this didn't work, I went onto the roof & stuck a hand (non-electric) snake down the roof vent. About 3 feet down I could hear the snake hit water. I worked it down until it stopped (about 15 feet), but I couldn't get it to go any farther. I don't know if what I hit was a blockage, or a bend in the pipe. Either way, I couldn't get the snake to go any farther & I couldn't clear the blockage.
Do I need to rent an electric snake to this or what? I've run out of options, besides calling a plumber & I don't want to do that if I don't have to. Also, all other drains in the house are working fine. The kitchen sink is the only one stopped up.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Edited 2 times.
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Author:
mpscheiner (CA)
1st step, electric snake.
If that doesn't work you'll need a plumber.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
You can spend money renting a snake, but might end up calling a plumber anyway.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Call a Licensed Plumber, now. Granted, it may not make a whole lot of sense at this moment, but when you consider the dangers of injury, exposure to raw sewage, your personal time and the cost of renting the proper equipment, while knowing how to use it properly.... a Licened Plumber is your best investment. You didn't mention if your wasteline has an inline "cleanout" and that alone could be a time saver, to climbing on your roof.
Watch what the plumber does and learn. Then becareful of what is placed in the drain waste.
Best Wishes
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Author:
rjjr38 (ME)
Do your other fixtures drain? Forget the vent. Locate your clean out on the drain going to the street or septic tank. Run your snake starting from that point. Good Luck
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Author:
mr leak (CA)
There is another option. There is an attachment that goes on the end of a water hose. It is a bladder [different seizes available for different seize pipes] that is inserted into the pipe. Water is turned on then the bladder expands to seal the pipe t6hen the water now jetts out under pressure to free the obstruction. Cost is about 15.00 and I have used with success but never designed to clear out issues such as tree roots etc.
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Author:
cattlegaps (AL)
Yes, every other drain is working fine. It's only the kitchen sink.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
If it does NOT remove the obstruction the water will fill the vent pipe and run out onto the roof. Then, when the water is turned off the "bladder" will deflate and ALL of the water, (usually very dirty water), in the vent will come out onto the floor.
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Author:
cattlegaps (AL)
I appreciate all advice. I am determined to do this myself. I'm may not be a "licensed plumber", but I do know a little about plumbing, so I'll know how to do it with a little direction. As a side note, I've used an electric snake before & I plumbed my buddies house, so I'm not completely ignorant about plumbing. With that being said, I'll explain what I've done so far, answer some of the questions I've been asked, & maybe get more advice of what to try next.
First off, there is no clean out on the house (I wish there was), so that option is out. Alright here's what I've done (keep in mind, it's only the kitchen drain that's clogged. ALL other plumbing is working fine).
1st, I took all old metal plumbing out from under sink. I ran a hand snake down the stubbed out pipe. It made it about 6 or 7 feet & stopped. I worked the snake for about 2 hours, but it wouldn't go any farther. I think I hit a 3rd bend & it just wouldn't get around it. If it was the clog, I think it would've worked thru it as long as I tried (still clogged). I re-plumbed under the sink with PVC & it doesn't leak.
2nd, I ran an electric snake down roof vent about 40 feet, then ran warm water in sink. I could feel warm air & smell stagnant water coming out of roof vent, so I'm apparently getting air passage (still clogged).
3rd, I took the new trap off under sink & tried snaking again with hand snake. I made as far as the first time, but no further (still clogged).
That's where I am, currently. Besides someone saying "call a plumber", what can I do next? Please make intelligent comments. I'm past frustration & really don't feel like wasting my time reading some stupid post.
Thanks in advance for everyone's help!
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Author:
hj (AZ)
If you inserted a snake 40' from the roof, but only got 5' or 6' from the sink connection, there is something wrong with what you are doing, since both ways should have stopped at he same point, unless that vent does NOT go directly to, or past, the sink connection. HOW are we supposed to tell you HOW to do it, when you are right there, but we are not. A plumber would use an electric snake and clear it almost immediately. The fish wanted to bust the dam by himself so he kept butting into it, and all he got was a headache, which might also happen to you.
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Author:
cattlegaps (AL)
I appreciate your reply. The 40' from roof & 6'-7' from sink was approx. footage, give or take. You said it should have stopped at the same point; that could actually be what happened, because its about 30' from my roof to floor level. If that scenario IS what happened, what might the problem be? Also, if a pipe is collapsed, would there be a way to know without running a camera into it? The metal piping runs into terricotta.
Thanks!
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Author:
hj (AZ)
A total pipe collapse is hardly likely, since the terra cotta is 4" and the metal, probably cast iron pipe, is 2". WHAT the actual problem could be, I cannot tell you without being there and using my own power snake. Your problem may just be the snake you are using.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
I think you have answered your own question. You want to do it yourself and I can understand that. Purchase a sewer camera, like the pro's do. As you insert the camera into the waste, notice any defects as you guide the camera further into the waste line, thru the angles and bends. Once you determine the exact location of the blockage, take a picture.. and let us all see.
At minimum wage scale, how much time have you spent on this project? Is it truly worth your time and effort?
Best Wishes
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Author:
cattlegaps (AL)
I was actually just talking about the snake I was using & I think that's it. The head on the one I rented was very dull, so it couldn't really dig into any type of obstruction. I believe I might have been hitting the clog, but the head was just spinning.
Thanks again.
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