Using a metal snake on ABS plastic drain pipe?

[ChiefBodie]

It is the second floor bathroom sink. There is also a shower and toilet in the bathroom. The shower drains but a little more slowly than before. The toilet flushes fine.

There is a basement. With floor joists above that are exposed. Lots of visible piping and wiring.

I looked in the basement. I believe I found the drain pipe being used, or at least a likely one. It is 2" black ABS going up through the basement ceiling. Nearby is a 4" ABS (toilet?). There is a no-hub fitting on it. They are y-ed together, presumably going out to septic from there.

From the upstairs sink, it goes something like this:

P-trap
Galvanized pipe almost level, to galvanized 90 fitting in wall that turns down
From there, in the wall behind the sink, I believe it must turn and run over to a wall chase. The kitchen ceiling is right below the sink so the 2nd floor sink drain cannot go straight down.
Where the most likely chase location is ... is where I can see the 2" ABS going up through the basement ceiling.
On the first floor, likely also connected to that 2" ABS drain, is a small bar sink that is rarely used. I just tested it, and it drains OK although a little slow. Unlike the upstairs sink it will not fill the sink while water is running-- the drain on that is more capable than the supply.

I really appreciate the help to try to chase this thing down.

 

[Diggin It]

I'd be looking around in the basement directly below where that sink is to try and find the pipe you see under the sink. There may be another trap made of cast iron pipe (unless it switches over to PVC before then) and possibly .... hopefully .... a cleanout that could be opened.

 

[RNeumann]

So with the p-trap off and the pop-up assembly removed the tailpiece is perfectly clear?

 

[ChiefBodie]

Here is a picture of the 2" ABS that goes up through the basement ceiling. This is in a small room with a lot of piping, including the main water service entrance (well.)

 

[ChiefBodie]

Success !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I now have a drain that is functioning as it should. I used the sink plunger, and with a lot of effort over about 20-30 minutes it first coughed up some black crap, then slowly started to drain, then more, and now whooosh!!! Thank you all so much for contributing. I was dreading having to pull galvanized pipe out of walls. That might happen in the future but it works great now!!!

btw it was very stubborn at first. At least 10 mins of vigorous plunging with only a little black crap to show for it. But once I started to see a little progress, the plunger seemed to get more effective as the drain finally started working. It seemed most effective right at the end-- maybe because of an ability to move a greater quantity of water back and forth?

 

[Redlands Okie]

That 90 degree connection in the wall is likely going up to the roof as a air vent and going down to the drain / septic. There is bound to be a vent pipe thru the roof for the sink and commode, sometimes they share the same vent. The dry vac is probably sucking air thru those vents. Often times their the problem when trying a plunger also unless the issue is in the p trap. A rubber cap on the roof vents or other temporary seal can help. Of course thats more work and risk accessing them etc.
If the metal line for the drain cleaner, roto rooter machine knocks a hole in the galvanized drain pipe then it was going to need replaced in the near feature anyway. Just not fun to have to add replacing that along with the rest of the problems.
The connections at the change over of the different types of materials for pipe are often a a problem source.
As others have said be aware if chemicals have been poured down already. Wear glasses and gloves no matter what is always a good idea.


Well I see you got it draining now, congrats. Now you have to wait and see if the plug you cleared was the problem or the symptom of the problem....

 

[Clint S]

FWIW I have also used baking soda and then vinegar. Dump the soda in, then the vinegar. Quickly plug the hole and keep it plugged. In the kitchen I use the stoppers and hold them. On bathroom I use a plunger to seal it. The foam builds up pressure and dislodges the plug. I chase it with boiling water. A good plunger is worth its weight in gold though

 

[ChiefBodie]

I had those two products ready to go if the plunger alone didn't work. Yes I know that combination can make a lot of pressure real quick.

 

[ChiefBodie]

Well I see you got it draining now, congrats. Now you have to wait and see if the plug you cleared was the problem or the symptom of the problem....

At this point I will take what I can get!

 

[MossRoad]

Success !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...

YAY!!!

How much did the plunger cost? :laughing:

Those little black chunks are disgusting!