Semi Emergency

[tstex]

Last summer our shower drain plugged up. The plumber had a battery operated air plunger. He filled the drain with water, then stuck the nozzle in the drain. Whoose the drain was clear. We have a grey water system for the shower and sink drains. They go into a basin about 100’ from the house and cottonwood trees use the water. I was standing at the pipe outlet outside when he hit the drain with the air plunger. A flood of nasty black/grey water came rushing out and the drain was clear. He made some easy money for sure. This might be worth a try.

Thanks. My key objective now is to remove 30-35ft of 1/2" stuck Auger in my upstairs bath sink drain.

 

[EddieWalker]

All drain pipes are SCH 40 PVC; all water transports are copper

If your drain lines are SCH 40 PVC all the way to the septic tank, then roots are not going to be an issue unless they where not connected properly. That's pretty rare, but I've seen it done before. In that case, the pipe pulled apart at an elbow where the line from the bathroom joined the main line to the septic tank. Once I dug it up, the owner of the house, and the guy who installed it, admitted that he ran out of cement and just slid them together. His wife wasn't happy!!!!

I'm not sure what the soap is going to do? I also don't see anything that would be hurt by dumping the soap in the line.

 

[bmaverick]

A real "semi" emergency.

 

[Jstpssng]

I thought that having a drain cleanout was standard. Here I believe that it's code. If you have one, that may be the easiest way to access the snake/clog.

 

[bmaverick]

I thought that having a drain cleanout was standard. Here I believe that it's code. If you have one, that may be the easiest way to access the snake/clog.

I had to add a clean-out at the end of a 35FT run. This was the kitchen sink. After 2 years of clogs and messing around, we had to remove carefully the pipe out of a finished basement, then realized the pipe vent going up to the roof was clogged by a birds nest that fell in the air vent of the pipe.

With the drain part of the pipe out, we then got a 2-inch expanding bladder and 3 5-gallon bucket to force the old birds next out. What a chore. Then we capped the roof with a mesh to prevent the air vent from being messed up again. Finally replaced the 35FT section. Took 2 weekends.

 

[ultrarunner]

I’m generous with clean outs because many places don’t have them pre WWII

Deepest was 6 feet down to the lateral… sometimes only a foot.

I like to install Kelly clean outs if mid line so I can snake both ways.

Have to say never have had a exposed ABS line blockage I couldn’t clear with a hose and balloon.

The 100 year old underground clay and above ground cast iron often not so simple.

Short of opening the pipe how much pulling force exerted?

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks. My key objective now is to remove 30-35ft of 1/2" stuck Auger in my upstairs bath sink drain.

Understand. I’m suggesting you try that once the auger is removed.

 

[orezok]

The Maintenance Dept at the School District where I was a Facilities Manager had to pull “stuff” out of drain lines weekly. Didn’t matter if it was Elementary, Middle or High. Kids like to flush things.

The High schoolers particularly liked M80’s. BOOM

 

[MossRoad]

Orangeburg, ...

Had my first experience with this stuff last week. Grrrrr! It just crumbles. Every joint had roots infiltrating the pipe.

Removing sod for a shallow 8" wide trench to plant tulips. Pulled up the sod and saw gray water. Hit the washing machine drain line the previous owner had installed just a few inches deep out to a mystery drain field. I managed to pull out several reducers he had installed and piece together some rubber reducers, band clamps and a piece of 4" pvc to patch it. Ground is already frozen 2" down. I'll dig it all out next summer and put in some PVC drain line and 55 gallon drum dry wells instead.

 

[MossRoad]

Question:

Does anyone see a drawback against squeezing a plastic container of liquid dish soap into the pipe where the snake auger is stuck to help lubricate the ID of the PVC? I've enclosed a pic of what i am referring. I know there is going to be suds galore, and didn't want to complicate things for flow of water and other.

If there is another option that you've used thst is better than soap, please let me know?

Thank you very much !

Yes, you'll get a lot of suds if you run a hose down there.

Can't the plumber just back the machine away from the pipe entrance and pull the snake out by hand, or is it completely lodged in there? I'd think he could disassemble the machine, detach the snake, untangle the snake until it is strait, then use some wrenches to twist it counterclockwise to get it backed out of the jam.