Clogged Kitchen drain

Red Horse · Apr 25, 2019

Well guys for the second time in 29 years since I built this house my drain from kitchen sink is stopped up. It is a sched 40 1-1/2" PVC and it drops 3" in 29'. The first time it clogged it did have a bit of a belly in it and I ended up cutting out a section and it was jammed with typical kitchen "goo". No disposal but dishwasher dumps into it above the trap, We have always been careful, don't dump grease down it and have a screen over the two sink drains to catch food scraps. We probably have NOT done a good enough job of wiping dishes before they go in washer.

so I've snaked it twice in both directions and done the baking soda/vinegar routine a couple of times. Snake goes through but I'm afraid it is just punching a 5/8ths -3/4 hole and the minute I flood it, it seals up again.

Before I cut the line out, anyone have any success with an of the liquid plumber stuff? There are a lot of products out there all claiming to be the best. The baking soda/vinegar thing works well but the issue is NOT in the trap.

appreciate any thoughts? Think I've got too much drop with 3" in 29 ft?

By the way I've also used one of those plungers made for sinks and the only thing I get out of that is exercise!

bunyip · Apr 25, 2019

We use a liquid that is available only from plumbing supplies, big barns don't sell it because it is nasty stuff and caustic but it breaks down everything.
Don't recall the name but sure you will have the same thing with a local name, this has cleaned out horse hair (daughters thought washing horse rugs in the washing machine when we were not home a good idea) and the usual 'cholesterol' build up on the pipes.
Don't get it on yourself as it is nasty stuff and wear safety glasses.

wagne223 · Apr 25, 2019

I have used liquid plumber and it was successful.
Poured down drain, ran water until sink was half full then waited......
25 minutes later I heard a gurgle and down went the water.

Changed my disposal habits and have had no issues since.

RNeumann · Apr 25, 2019

I used hot water-sometimes a sink full at a time- with the snake in the drain to help with the buildup. Otherwise (and honestly the best for this) it’s hydrojet time.

/pine · Apr 25, 2019

Is there no clean-out at the bottom of the riser below the sink?...

I would use close to boiling water then open the trap and temporarily cap the line (and vent etc.) and use a hose (with some pressure) at the clean-out...

Scook222 · Apr 25, 2019

Can’t remember who makes them but we use an expanding in line thing that screws on a garden hose and you stick it and the hose in the pipe. It seals the pipe and sprays water inside the pipe to clear the clog and have had really good results. I used liquid lightening one time but makes your house smell like sulfur for a while and you aren’t supposed to get any on you. I think you have plenty of slope in your line. It’s it only the second time in almost 30 years, you have a lot better luck than me.

AchingBack · Apr 25, 2019

Last time mine clogged, discovered toddler grandson helped do dishes by putting a few chop sticks in there. Aha, easy removal, and now able to snake a pipe with a near 90 degree angle about 4' into the corner under the sink. An almost impossible task.

After trying a few chemicals, I gave up and thought outside the pipe, so to speak. I rigged a nozzle to adapt to my shop vac, and away I sucked. It took over an hour to finally clear the pipe. I believe the main culprit was swollen grain debris, i.e., oats and rice, mixed with cold grease from when the family lived with me and cooked differently than I do.

Now days I am religious about monthly treating both sides of the sink with a dose of baking soda chased by cleaning strength vinegar, and hot water. Also, sinks will clog when the intake is small. Which is why it is also a good idea to fill the basin with water to insure a good flush.

My final word of advice, do not plunge kitchen sinks.

I heard a story about a clogged sink due to the vent stack being filled to the brim with acorns.

flyerdan · Apr 25, 2019

Scook222 said:
Can’t remember who makes them but we use an expanding in line thing that screws on a garden hose...

That would be a Drain King, available locally at most of the box and hardware stores. I have one as well.

RNeumann · Apr 25, 2019

RNeumann said:
I used hot water-sometimes a sink full at a time- with the snake in the drain to help with the buildup. Otherwise (and honestly the best for this) it’s hydrojet time.

I’ve never used the “home owner” version, but this seems to have good reviews-
https://www.amazon.com/JetSnake-Sewer-Jetter-Cleaner-Pressure/dp/B077STYDB9

kco · Apr 25, 2019

OP, Your drain setup seems similar to mine in length, drop, and the feed from a dishwasher. I had a droop in mine and it started to clog regularly. Shimming it up helped but it still clogged even though it would run well for weeks or months. I was using a 1/4" snake that you rotate with a drill. I got a 3/8" hand rotated drain auger which solved the problem ($20 at Home Depot in Canada). Although the 1/4" snake seemed to be cleaning the pipe and ran easily through, I suspect it was drilling a hole through the plug of muck. The 3/8" does a much better job. It did clog a few weeks after using the 3/8", but I cleaned it again it has been good for about 4 months since then. I am sure the 3/8" cleaned a lot more out of the pipe than the 1/4".

Perhaps a thicker snake may work for you.

ustmd · Apr 25, 2019

I generally avoid any of the chemicals just in case you have to cut the line later.

You have general crap build up from years of grease.

I would first try a thinker snake--perhaps even rent one.

If that does not work, Hydrojet.

JPRambo · Apr 25, 2019

I use a liquid I get from Wally world that is for campers/rv's. To keep drain clear. It's a microbial holding tank solution. Put it in drain and flush down pipe with a few cups of water last thing before going to bed every 2 to 3 months.

newbury · Apr 25, 2019

ustmd said:
I generally avoid any of the chemicals just in case you have to cut the line later.

You have general crap build up from years of grease.

I would first try a thinker snake--perhaps even rent one.

If that does not work, Hydrojet.

Is a "thinker snake" a smart snake ? Does it operate on WiFi?

I had a problem in a house I rented out, the lousy tenant had put steel wool and lard down the drains. I rented a sewer snake with a cutter head about 1" in diameter. Only cost like $20 for the weekend.
Use PPE - a throwaway poncho, rubber gloves and boots.

Semper Paratus · Apr 25, 2019

Us country folk with septic tanks have to be careful with the liquid plumber stuff....Hard on the good microbes.

MossRoad · Apr 25, 2019

Red Horse said:
Well guys for the second time in 29 years since I built this house my drain from kitchen sink is stopped up. It is a sched 40 1-1/2" PVC and it drops 3" in 29'. The first time it clogged it did have a bit of a belly in it and I ended up cutting out a section and it was jammed with typical kitchen "goo". No disposal but dishwasher dumps into it above the trap, We have always been careful, don't dump grease down it and have a screen over the two sink drains to catch food scraps. We probably have NOT done a good enough job of wiping dishes before they go in washer.

so I've snaked it twice in both directions and done the baking soda/vinegar routine a couple of times. Snake goes through but I'm afraid it is just punching a 5/8ths -3/4 hole and the minute I flood it, it seals up again.

Before I cut the line out, anyone have any success with an of the liquid plumber stuff? There are a lot of products out there all claiming to be the best. The baking soda/vinegar thing works well but the issue is NOT in the trap.

appreciate any thoughts? Think I've got too much drop with 3" in 29 ft?

By the way I've also used one of those plungers made for sinks and the only thing I get out of that is exercise!

You don't have enough drop. It's supposed to be 1/4" every foot. .25 x 29 = 7.25"

MossRoad · Apr 25, 2019

I'd follow Drano's recommendations here...

https://www.drano.com/en-us/explore-clog-basics/how-to-unclog-your-kitchen-sink-in-3-steps

jaxs · Apr 26, 2019

The pro way is to rent a sink machine at big box and make sure the include 1 or more of these. http://https://www.homedepot.com/p/BrassCraft-4-Piece-Plumbers-Cutter-Set-BC96299/202313524?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal
The diy handyman way is buy one of these http://https://www.homedepot.com/p/BrassCraft-Small-Drain-Bladder-BC00331/100621876?MERCH=REC-_-rv_gm_pip_rr-_-202826613-_-100621876-_-N

ultrarunner · Apr 26, 2019

35 years of property maintenance and the balloon/garden hose is my go to... brand names like drain king.

Had some difficult grease packed lines and hooked hose to water heater.

Chemicals have their place but if on septic be careful...

Drain Care has done me right being proactive... a little in the traps a couple of times a year... it is also sold by Zep at Home Depot.

For the difficult tasks I have a compliment of professional Spartan tools... full augers with cutting heads and 230' of cable...

That said it is amazing what a properly placed garden hose can do...

Ford850 · Apr 26, 2019

ClogHog is another popular jetter. Many of these look similar and are likely just rebranded, so choose the model that matches your pressure washer size and check shipping costs to get the best deal.

MarkF48 · Apr 26, 2019

I had a plugged kitchen drain that has a long run and I couldn't get a snake to the blockage. After a bunch of research on drain cleaners I found one at Walmart for about $11. Treated the drain in the evening and ran hot water the next morning to flush it through. I did this last November and haven't had a problem since. High ratings on most reviews for it.

Main Line Cleaner | Instant Power