Clogged Sink Drain

[Dogmeat]

Not sure where to post this...
I have a bad kitchen sink drain problem....it will hardly drain at all.
It's an old house...and the drain goes UNDER the damn concrete floor (no crawl space)....The drain is IMPOSSIBLE to trace just where it drains into, as I've watched the line going to the septic tank, and nothing shows up....even when it works good it's STILL impossible to trace where it drains to. I tried running 100 psi air with my portable air tank down the line, but nothing gave way. Then I poured a gallon of nasty drain stuff, let sit for 8 hrs. as instructed, then ran HOT water down it, and not a damn thing happened.

I do have a long snake, but it's not anything that will fit in the drain....it's too damn heavy-duty, and is not flexible to get in the drain. Years ago when we had this same problem, I DID try to run a smaller snake down the line, but it acted like there was too sharp of a bend in the drain, and it would only go down about 6 feet or so.

I am open to ANY AND ALL suggestions.....anyone have any ideas? Trying to avoid calling a plumber, as I'm afraid he won't be able to solve the problem as well.
Anyone know if there's a way to us some kind of "SONAR" device to be able to at least see just where the drain goes under the concrete floor?

We've already JACKHAMMERED the damn floor up TWICE to replace furnace ducting and water lines from the basement to the kitchen sink....DON'T wanna go thru that again...as we're both in late 70's, and it's a REAL stressful endeavor with all the mess and noise...plus the fact that there's a gas line that goes to the stove directly across the room from the sink.....so THIS is a real full-blown stress factor for both of us.

PLEASE....ANY offerings would be greatly appreciated.....We're at our wits end.....

 

[mike93lx]

Rent a camera with a locator. You'll be able to see the inside (and hopefully the problem) plus trace the whole thing including depth. Make sure it has a small head... Some have dual heads, one large one small

Don't ever hit a drain line with 100 psi. It's a great way to break it

 

[Youngandfree]

Take the p trap off and stick the snake into the straight pipe?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I suspect that it was considered gray water and is not connected to the septic tank. It may have been plumbed to a ditch or other open air outlet. Quite possibly the exit has been buried or the pipe (tile) may have collapsed. I'd try a probe directly outside of the drain to see if you hit it.
It should be easy for a plumber to identify the issue. Their solution may not be easy.

 

[racecougar]

Years ago when you tried using a smaller snake, what ended up solving the issue?

If it has you this worked up, what's the hesitance to at least trying a plumber here?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I suspect that it was considered gray water and is not connected to the septic tank. It may have been plumbed to a ditch or other open air outlet. Quite possibly the exit has been buried or the pipe (tile) may have collapsed. I'd try a probe directly outside of the drain to see if you hit it.
It should be easy for a plumber to identify the issue. Their solution may not be easy.

This^

If there is any drain flow at all, add some water tracing dye to the pipe and look around outside.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's time to get over your fear of plumbers and call one.

 

[DGersic]

Not sure where to post this...
I have a bad kitchen sink drain problem....it will hardly drain at all.
It's an old house...and the drain goes UNDER the damn concrete floor (no crawl space)....The drain is IMPOSSIBLE to trace just where it drains into, as I've watched the line going to the septic tank, and nothing shows up....even when it works good it's STILL impossible to trace where it drains to. I tried running 100 psi air with my portable air tank down the line, but nothing gave way. Then I poured a gallon of nasty drain stuff, let sit for 8 hrs. as instructed, then ran HOT water down it, and not a damn thing happened.

I do have a long snake, but it's not anything that will fit in the drain....it's too damn heavy-duty, and is not flexible to get in the drain. Years ago when we had this same problem, I DID try to run a smaller snake down the line, but it acted like there was too sharp of a bend in the drain, and it would only go down about 6 feet or so.

I am open to ANY AND ALL suggestions.....anyone have any ideas? Trying to avoid calling a plumber, as I'm afraid he won't be able to solve the problem as well.
Anyone know if there's a way to us some kind of "SONAR" device to be able to at least see just where the drain goes under the concrete floor?

We've already JACKHAMMERED the damn floor up TWICE to replace furnace ducting and water lines from the basement to the kitchen sink....DON'T wanna go thru that again...as we're both in late 70's, and it's a REAL stressful endeavor with all the mess and noise...plus the fact that there's a gas line that goes to the stove directly across the room from the sink.....so THIS is a real full-blown stress factor for both of us.

PLEASE....ANY offerings would be greatly appreciated.....We're at our wits end.....

Part of your sink drain is going to be a vent. Mine goes directly to the roof. Yours is probably about 6’ away, and your snake stops at the T fitting. The vent stops any air or water pressure with those garden hose balloon things from actually applying to the clog.

I’ve tried several of the drain cleaner chemicals over the years. None accomplished anything other than lightening my wallet.

Your best bet is probably calling a plumber. Late 70s, you’re probably not up to climbing on the roof if the vent needs to be examined, or used as an inlet for the snake/camera/locator head.

If the line has to come up, do you have a family member or friend who can supervise the work? Take a short vacation, rent a hotel room, and just be gone while it’s being done.

I don’t understand what you’re worried about with the gas line. It’s across the room, so nothing is likely to happen to it, even if they do have to cut the floor. If it’s in any way, just turn the gas off while working.

 

[mike93lx]

It's time to get over your fear of plumbers and call one.

I absolutely hate plumbing... Spent an entire day redoing the drains and strainers for my kitchen sinks recently and swore I wouldn't do it again.

When one of my kids broke the tub drain in their bathroom recently, I called in a pro. He got it done shortly and I didn't have to screw around with multiple trips and wondering what the best parts were. It was fantastic. Letting go and calling in a pro can be very helpful

 

[pcmeiners]

Aside from a sewer service which guarantees they will clear the issue

high pressure drain nozzle.....

High Pressure Drain Cleaning Nozzle in Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living for sale | eBay

www.ebay.com

 

[bassJAM]

Just call a plumber. I had to do the same thing back in the spring. I could only get a snake to go into my kitchen drain about 20 ft before I couldn't get it any further. It hurt my pride but the plumber punched through the blockage in 5 minutes, and it was well worth the $150 or whatever the cost was since I had already spent 4 hours myself fighting the clog and our sink hadn't been usable for almost 2 days.

I was convinced he'd need to cup up the pipes in the basement but apparently he was just more skilled using a snake than I was.

 

[stingry]

I am also 70+ years old and have always did everything myself, plumbing, carpentry,auto repair,etc. I also came to realize that sometimes you need to call a professional with the knowledge and specialized tools required! Call a plumber!

 

[yatg]

Old house? What kind of pipe is it? PVC, ABS, galv, CI. If metal, it could have rusted up inside. Little rust, little crud, repeat until it won't flow.

 

[BillK]

As much as I try to do everything I can myself, I know when to cut my losses and call in a pro. This would be one of those times. If you can even find some type of "sonar" device or rent a camera etc etc etc for the money you will spend the plumber would have come in and either gotten the drain cleared out or given you some idea of what it is going to take.

Our house was built in 1978 and twice since then I have had to get the kitchen drain done. He did exactly what DGersic said. Up on the roof and snaked it down trough the vent. I could have gone and bought or rented a power snake and done it myself but it just was not worth the trouble.

 

[no704]

Agree with others that you will probably have to attack this through the roof vent. Pretty cool water jets out for this now on Amazon for low cost and hook up to a pressure washer. Definitely depends on how long your run is. I just did this a couple months ago. I was able to leave the pressure washer on the ground and just bring the hose/wand on the roof. A zip tie held the pressure washer trigger on as I fed the hose with the jet nozzle down the pipe. Worked better than I expected.
As others have said I can’t recommend that you get on the roof at 70. I’m bearly 50 and don’t like it. Perhaps you have a young in law that could do the climbing?
Hopefully this helps, good luck!

 

[BillK]

As others have said I can’t recommend that you get on the roof at 70. I’m barely 50 and don’t like it.

Just want to say that everyone is different. I just turned 74 and I was on the roof last weekend with the leaf blower cleaning out gutters. Plan on getting up there again this weekend to try out Wet and Forget roof cleaner. My roof is only 4/12 pitch and I have been up on it at least once a month for the last 45 years so I feel very comfortable.

That being said . . . . . . If our kitchen sink was clogged up and a gallon of Draino didn't clear it out, a plumber would have already been here. I do most of the cooking and it would drive me crazy. Around here we have guys that will do a job like that for a lot less than what a pressure washer would cost to buy, never mind the time and hassle.

 

[The Cobbler]

I suspect that it was considered gray water and is not connected to the septic tank. It may have been plumbed to a ditch or other open air outlet. Quite possibly the exit has been buried or the pipe (tile) may have collapsed. I'd try a probe directly outside of the drain to see if you hit it.
It should be easy for a plumber to identify the issue. Their solution may not be easy.

years ago It was very common for kitchen sinks to by pass the septic tank. it was called grey water .
they would have their own run of drainage tile, or tie in to the leach field after the tank . I suspect over the years soap & grease build up has clogged everything pretty much solid.
do you have access to tying it in to the drain line that goes to the septic tank?

 

[mike93lx]

Just want to say that everyone is different. I just turned 74 and I was on the roof last weekend with the leaf blower cleaning out gutters. Plan on getting up there again this weekend to try out Wet and Forget roof cleaner. My roof is only 4/12 pitch and I have been up on it at least once a month for the last 45 years so I feel very comfortable.

That being said . . . . . . If our kitchen sink was clogged up and a gallon of Draino didn't clear it out, a plumber would have already been here. I do most of the cooking and it would drive me crazy. Around here we have guys that will do a job like that for a lot less than what a pressure washer would cost to buy, never mind the time and hassle.

The best thing you can do is call in help before touching drano. That stuff often doesn't work and makes the real cleanup harder and sometimes dangerous.

Snakes and jetting are the way

 

[no704]

Support all saying that putting acid in the drain is a poor idea. As to anyone getting on the roof, to each their own.

 

[Bert_]

If I have to run the drain machine after someone dumps a bunch of draino down the sink there will be a pain in the a** charge.

 

[whateg01]

Just want to say that everyone is different. I just turned 74 and I was on the roof last weekend with the leaf blower cleaning out gutters. Plan on getting up there again this weekend to try out Wet and Forget roof cleaner. My roof is only 4/12 pitch and I have been up on it at least once a month for the last 45 years so I feel very comfortable.

WTH do you have to get on the roof once a month for???

 

[BillK]

WTH do you have to get on the roof once a month for???

Mainly to clean the skylight in the kitchen. That and blowing leaves off during the fall and winter.

 

[Jim greengo]

Just want to say that everyone is different. I just turned 74 and I was on the roof last weekend with the leaf blower cleaning out gutters. Plan on getting up there again this weekend to try out Wet and Forget roof cleaner. My roof is only 4/12 pitch and I have been up on it at least once a month for the last 45 years so I feel very comfortable.

That being said . . . . . . If our kitchen sink was clogged up and a gallon of Draino didn't clear it out, a plumber would have already been here. I do most of the cooking and it would drive me crazy. Around here we have guys that will do a job like that for a lot less than what a pressure washer would cost to buy, never mind the time and hassle.

I think they're referring to a blow bag on a garden hose,not an actual pressure washer.
If you do use a blow bag and hose,make sure to get the blow bag past the San tee before you turn on the water. Hahaha

 

[LOW1]

If I have to run the drain machine after someone dumps a bunch of draino down the sink there will be a pain in the a** charge.

I know a plumber who almost lost an eye because of that stuff

 

[RPH]

I have a grey water system. When it drains slow it’s time to get the big drain cleaner out. I usually find hair, laundry lint that escaped the filter and a bit of waxy glop. I have a four inch drain that runs under ground for about 150’. Then it pops up in the back field.

 

[FrankLee]

A plumber can also track the snake/camera head from above. Then you'll know the exact route of the drain pipe.

 

[Dogmeat]

Thanks all......I called the plumber, and he ran the power snake down the drain, and in about 1/2 hour he had it cleared out and ran the hot water for a few minutes, and it's BACK to working GR8!! The charge was MORE than reasonable....$205 TOTAL....I couldn't write the check fast enough!

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks all......I called the plumber, and he ran the power snake down the drain, and in about 1/2 hour he had it cleared out and ran the hot water for a few minutes, and it's BACK to working GR8!! The charge was MORE than reasonable....$205 TOTAL....I couldn't write the check fast enough!

2 bills to even get someone to show up, let alone actually fix the problem, is a good deal. Glad it's sorted

Now that it's clear, it may be prudent to run a camera to determine if there is a problem worth fixing or if it's just a matter of periodically snaking it

 

[BillK]

.even when it works good it's STILL impossible to trace where it drains to.

So now that it is clear would be a good time to figure out where it actually goes to.

 

[Dogmeat]

We're going to run a "septic friendly" enzyme product down the sink per the instructions that came with it.

 

[mike93lx]

We're going to run a "septic friendly" enzyme product down the sink per the instructions that came with it.

That's not going to help if there is any damage to the pipe that is causing things to clog.

And that enzyme stuff is shenanigans anyway. There is plenty of bacteria in a septic tank normally

 

[Bert_]

Thrift drain cleaner works good.

 

[no704]

Regular addition of copper sulfate will keep the roots at bay. No idea if this effects a septic.

 

[1982fxr]

What exactly does draino do that makes it such a bad day for the plumber?

 

[mike93lx]

What exactly does draino do that makes it such a bad day for the plumber?

Its lye and is dangerous. Plus it makes a mess

 

[dcg9381]

Part of your sink drain is going to be a vent. Mine goes directly to the roof. Yours is probably about 6’ away, and your snake stops at the T fitting. The vent stops any air or water pressure with those garden hose balloon things from actually applying to the clog.

This. You've got a vent in there somewhere. If you want to use air pressure, you need to block the vent. But 100 PSI is WAY too much for even modern drain lines. The PVC is thin.

I’ve tried several of the drain cleaner chemicals over the years. None accomplished anything other than lightening my wallet.

Lye has worked for me, but I would only use it with plastic pipe (HVAC drain). It's nasty stuff and will strip anything metal it comes into contact with. Just a granule of the stuff will burn you.

I'm in the "call a plumber" camp too. They've got tools and cameras to figure this out. Had you managed to apply 100psi to that drain, you may have made a much bigger problem.

 

[pcmeiners]

"Regular addition of copper sulfate will keep the roots at bay. No idea if this effects a septic."

Not good for septic, it will kill bacteria

 

[Bert_]

The chemicals only work when the drain is still flowing. Once it's completely clogged you will have to use mechanical means.

A drain full of chemicals is a great way to get burns when you have to work on the pipe.

 

[Skooterj]

This. You've got a vent in there somewhere. If you want to use air pressure, you need to block the vent. But 100 PSI is WAY too much for even modern drain lines. The PVC is thin.


Lye has worked for me, but I would only use it with plastic pipe (HVAC drain). It's nasty stuff and will strip anything metal it comes into contact with. Just a granule of the stuff will burn you.

I'm in the "call a plumber" camp too. They've got tools and cameras to figure this out. Had you managed to apply 100psi to that drain, you may have made a much bigger problem.

100 PSI is nothing for modern, Schedule 40 PVC. Bursting strength on a 4 inch PVC pipe is 710 PSI. 2 inch is even higher. Even super thin wall SDR 64 has a burst rating of 200 PSI.

 

[dcg9381]

100 PSI is nothing for modern, Schedule 40 PVC. Bursting strength on a 4 inch PVC pipe is 710 PSI. 2 inch is even higher. Even super thin wall SDR 64 has a burst rating of 200 PSI.

Agree, but drain and sewer PVC is not necessarily schedule 40.