Plumbers......How do you Keep a 1 1/2 inch drain line clear?

[FatFndr]

I have a sink with a 1 1/2 inch pipe for drainage. It drains through a P trap, drops 12 inches, turns 90 degrees for a distance of 9 feet then turns 90 degrees for a distance of 20 feet (approximately 35 feet from P trap to a 4 inch main). I am careful what I put in the sink and can keep the immediate P trap clear with baking soda and white vinegar applied monthly - But - about 15 feet into the run it seems to clog every few months and I have to break the connection and drain the contents - sludge.

How do I keep the pipes clean that far into the run?

 

[readhead]

Is the slope consistant or does it level out at 15'? What sort of things are going down this drain?

 

[The Cobbler]

that's a long run for 1-1/2" pipe

 

[metaleltr]

if it is clogging with sludge i would be tempted to flush it occasionaly with a few gallons of boiling water

 

[gmwelder86]

Against code to put anything over 140 degrees down your plumbing. Have you ever had the lined scoped to see if you might have small roots coming in? What does the sink service?

 

[CitadelBlue]

vinegar and baking soda work well too ,,,,,

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Any vent on it?

 

[larry_g]

Against code to put anything over 140 degrees down your plumbing.

Can you cite the plumbing code your referring to?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Can you cite the plumbing code your referring to?

lg
no neat sig line

2012 Uniform Plumbing code section 810.1 states: No steam pipe shall be directly connected to a plumbing or drainage system, nor shall water having a temperature above 140 F (60 C) be discharged under pressure directly into a drainage system.

2012 International Plumbing Code section 803.1 states: Steam pipes shall not connect to any part of a drainage system or plumbing system and water above 140 F (60 C) shall not be discharged into any part of a drainage system.

Tommy

 

[Majordisorder]

Thats too funny. A sink drain isn't a steam pipe for sure.

 

[Rookie2]

boiling water #1 , don't pour anything in that sink that isn't water soluble.

 

[rodm1]

I would think you don't have enough slope in the line. Try running extra water threw it after every use it might help keep it clear.

 

[sberry]

Support it do it doesn't have a sag.

2012 Uniform Plumbing code section 810.1 states: No steam pipe shall be directly connected to a plumbing or drainage system, nor shall water having a temperature above 140 F (60 C) be discharged under pressure directly into a drainage system.

Only on the internet would have anyone thought of this.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

2012 Uniform Plumbing code section 810.1 states: No steam pipe shall be directly connected to a plumbing or drainage system, nor shall water having a temperature above 140 F (60 C) be discharged under pressure directly into a drainage system.

2012 International Plumbing Code section 803.1 states: Steam pipes shall not connect to any part of a drainage system or plumbing system and water above 140 F (60 C) shall not be discharged into any part of a drainage system.

Tommy

Hope you're not a plumber; if so, you are one dmf

 

[73surffisher]

Is the operative word " under pressure" , , you can have your hot water heater produce hot water in excess of 140 degrees , , ,

 

[Tyberius]

Pasta water, tea water, egg water

 

[Lippyp]

Sounds like starch buildup then! (from the pasta) I'd say just make sure you tip a bowlful of clean hot water down it after anything dirty to flush it down to the sewer/septic tank.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Hope you're not a plumber; if so, you are one dmf

OK, smart guy, learn to read the code & then school me as to why code is different in your little universe. NO water over 140* is allowed to go down a drain, period...

Tommy

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Is the operative word " under pressure" , , you can have your hot water heater produce hot water in excess of 140 degrees , , ,

That part of the code talking about steam pipes being directly connected to a drain is to prevent pressurizing the drain so it doesn't blow scalding hot water/steam out every other drain. Domestic water heaters aren't supposed to be set above 120*F, even though they can be.

Tommy

 

[GH85Carrera]

So I am breaking code when I drain my pasta or boiling vegetables? It is 212 degrees and goes right down the drain. Every Italian restaurant in the country is breaking the code as well.

 

[kbs2244]

The OP said the clog was sludge build up before the long run.
I have to agree with Lippyp.
Maybe add some vinger to the hot water to react with the starch?
Maybe add it to the pasta water before dumping it, or to the drain as soon asyou are done draining the pasta?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

So I am breaking code when I drain my pasta or boiling vegetables? It is 212 degrees and goes right down the drain. Every Italian restaurant in the country is breaking the code as well.

You just pointed out something that I was enough of a ******* that I didn't consider.

I'm used to working in commercial/production & public applications. I'm probably WAAY off from what the residential requirements are. Sorry for being such s jerk, guys!! :tard:

Tommy

 

[cderalow]

You just pointed out something that I was enough of a ******* that I didn't consider.

I'm used to working in commercial/production & public applications. I'm probably WAAY off from what the residential requirements are. Sorry for being such s jerk, guys!! :tard:

Tommy

the plumbing code has to do with the installation/routing of the piping, not the actual use of the pipe.

 

[eflow73]

Ohio Plumbing Code 701.7 Connections:
Wastewater when discharged into the building drainage system shall be at a temperature not higher than 140 F. When a higher temperature exist, approved cooling methods shall be provided.

 

[Jeff95TA]

I believe the intent of the Code was to keep from damaging piping such as galvanized pipe. I saw a proposal to change the wording to say that the temperature would be limited by the material.

 

[big.jim]

the code states "under pressure" pouring down a sink isnt under pressure,back to the original post i use drain acid from a proper plumbers merchant called one shot or knockout it is 97% sulphuric acid and causes an exothermic reaction in the drain ,it eats through any fats and solids and then gets hot and causes a slight pressure pushing things out of the drain

 

[Chris705]

WHoa! This is too funny, I work for a large retail company getting our building permits in 6 states in the northeast. I get to run into this 140* discharge comment all the time. The code officials sometime request us to mix cold water (they actually make mixing valves for such items as commercial dishwashers to "Cool" the water before discharging by mixing it with cold) before discharging 180* sanitizing water down the drain. I usually contend to the official we will not be dumping 140* water into your sanitary system by the time it travels the length of our 200 plus feet of 6" underground piping. Sometimes this comment works sometimes not. I think the OP occasionally dumping 180* piping is not going to be in violation of the plumbing code but I think there has to be a better solution and think the thought of a sag in the line or adding more pitch is the right approach.

 

[FatFndr]

This is a sink in the garage and I don't knowingly dump anything that would cause a buildup of any kind. That being said, obviously something IS causing a buildup. I need to step back and reevaluate what is going in there. I was told that a 1 1/2 in line is against code and that I should change over to a 2 inch line, but I don't know if that would make a difference. Additionally I was told the line had a couple of "bellies" and I assume it meant low spots but they are not readily seen by me. This was put in 25 years ago and was in the house when I bought it. I guess the real question for me is, what can I put in the piping every month that will clean it the entire length.

 

[shanker]

I have the same problem....a flush with caustic soda every now and then and I havn't had to run a cleanout thru it in about 4 years now

 

[GPark]

Too much pitch will cause the liquids to flow by the solids, leaving the solids to sit in the pipe.

 

[Scott 351 Wins]

I assume the waste pipe is PVC if there are bellies in the run. There should be 1/4 of an inch every 4ft' for proper pitch. Is the waste pipe in the basement and can you easily get to it and add braces to lift the waste pipe up in the proper pitch as I said before.

You may have to shorten the pipe under the p-trap by cutting out several inches out of the vertical waste pipe pulling the slack up and reconnecting it with a coupling. that may give you pitch if the waste line in the basement wasn't plumbed with the correct pitch. if this is the case I would disconnect the p-trap get your waste pipe run properly pitched working back towards the sink this will cause the pipe to raise up into the cabinet. You may have to redo the p-trap final connection, no biggie. Or you may have to cut open the back of the cabinet and wall then cut the pipe in half to get it to raise up.

Does the waste line run into the wall then falls into the basement or is there a double p-trap(S Trap) and then the waste falls thru the floor of the cabinet? Take picture it will help us

 

[KenC]

I've had the same issue with condensate drains in our old commercial building. Small line, long run minimal flow = algae growth. A cup of bleach every 2-4 weeks fixed it for years.

Your case is why 1 1/2 lines aren't allowed in our area. All drains must be 2" or larger. Attachment to fixture is by a 2 to 1 1/2 adapter.

 

[kbs2244]

On a somewhat related matter for you pros.

In these days of plastic "P" traps do they still make them with the removable plug at the bottom?
Around here they were called a "Chicago trap" because the city code required that you be able to clean the trap without taking it all apart.
But that was back in the cast metal days with the rough interior surface.

They were handy for chaseing wedding rings that slipped off, but I cannot remember seeing one for years.
(I don't get under sinks in the city much anymore.)

 

[The Cobbler]

I buy ABS p trap with union with clean out in Canada

 

[LS6 Tommy]

the plumbing code has to do with the installation/routing of the piping, not the actual use of the pipe.

Absolutely not so.

Tommy

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I believe the intent of the Code was to keep from damaging piping such as galvanized pipe. I saw a proposal to change the wording to say that the temperature would be limited by the material.

You are correct. You get a BIG gold star!

Tommy

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Ohio Plumbing Code 701.7 Connections:
Wastewater when discharged into the building drainage system shall be at a temperature not higher than 140 F. When a higher temperature exist, approved cooling methods shall be provided.

Same thing in Joisey...

Tommy

 

[Scott r c]

Actually a 1/4" every foot, so an 1" in 4 feet

I assume the waste pipe is PVC if there are bellies in the run. There should be 1/4 of an inch every 4ft' for proper pitch. Is the waste pipe in the basement and can you easily get to it and add braces to lift the waste pipe up in the proper pitch as I said before.

You may have to shorten the pipe under the p-trap by cutting out several inches out of the vertical waste pipe pulling the slack up and reconnecting it with a coupling. that may give you pitch if the waste line in the basement wasn't plumbed with the correct pitch. if this is the case I would disconnect the p-trap get your waste pipe run properly pitched working back towards the sink this will cause the pipe to raise up into the cabinet. You may have to redo the p-trap final connection, no biggie. Or you may have to cut open the back of the cabinet and wall then cut the pipe in half to get it to raise up.

Does the waste line run into the wall then falls into the basement or is there a double p-trap(S Trap) and then the waste falls thru the floor of the cabinet? Take picture it will help us

 

[redneckcharlie]

I believe the intent of the Code was to keep from damaging piping such as galvanized pipe. I saw a proposal to change the wording to say that the temperature would be limited by the material.

The 140 degree discharge temp max has to do with the max rated temp for schedule 40 pvc, the most common material used for waste lines. Galvanized has a much higher max temp.

 

[pendragon1998]

So will a pot-full of boiling water damage a pvc pipe draining a sink or tub?