problem drain clog - advanced

17 years ago

I have a customer with this issue: kitchen waste is again backing up in basement bathroom lavatory. Basement toilet flushes fine. Presumably this would mean the clog is in the smaller line, which I snaked two months ago, and all was well. And now it's back. How would you handle this?

Last time I was there, I used 25' of a 1/4 hand snake accessed under the bsmt. lavatory. That was as big as I could safely get past the bends into the floor lateral, and there's no clean-out. The toilet was previously pulled by rooter guys, but I don't see that being the solution, since presumably it's just downstream of the obstruction.

The roof is not an option (for me, anyway) since it requires a 40' ladder on a fairly steep slate roof. While I do have the ladder, the stack is out of reach from the edge.

Today I'm thinking of using a 3/8 hand snake (either 25' or 50'), entering through the kitchen above, which maybe I should have done last time. What do you think? Any other ideas? (Sulfuric acid time? Foaming drain cleaner time??)

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Comments (2)

homebound
Original Author
17 years ago
Problem solved. Using a 50' 1/2" auger from the kitchen, it was cleared at 30'.
maryland_irisman
17 years ago
homebound....

Could you tell whether the clog was from build up or an object? Just a suggestion below since I know you do this type work. It won't increase your repeat business but will surely keep your customers happy.
If it's build up (especially if they have a disposal), I always suggest folks maintain a maintenance schedule using one of the liquid enzyme drain cleaners similar to that "Roto Rooter" provides after a cleaning. It can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes far cheaper. The stuff actually works like the picture on the bottle!!! It also deodorizes the disposal if they have one and is septic system safe (actually good for septic tank too).

I suggest that for the first week, before everyone leaves the home for the day, pour some in all the drains followed by 3 cups of water. Then do it again that night before going to bed. After the first week, do it again on a weekly basis and especially if going away on vacation. Then go for a monthly regime. I personally prefer the weekly regime.

I'm not one for monkey snot additives. We actually tested this stuff on a system over a period of one year and after opening the system up for inspection we found it surely does what it says it will.
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