help with continuing kitchen clogs

9 years ago

Hi all. Our home is 18 years old and we're the original owners. We recently had to have emergency snaking done for the third time in our kitchen sink. As with the 2 prior times, it was always due to grease build up but the straw that broke the camel's back was bits of duck guts (hubby is a duck hunter). We're on septic, have double sinks 12" deep,and also have a garbage disposal, if that matters. We're very careful not to put much down the disposal, i.e. peels, grease, etc.

2 weeks ago the kitchen sink clogged; water also flowed into the dishwasher and onto the floor. I found an emergency plumber through Angie's List who had good reviews. It took him 2 hours; first with a smaller snake and then with a heavy duty one. He said there was more grease than normal for a residence. He advised use of a regular degreaser, saying the snake only punches a hole through the grease but there's still grease build up in the pipes. That cost $400! 1- 1/2 weeks later (last Friday) the sink clogged again, while hubby was draining out one of the sinks that was maybe half full of water. It eventually drained out after 5-10 minutes. The plumber returned (he has a 90-day warranty) and snaked it from the roof. Tonight, while hubby was draining out one sink that was 3/4 full of water, it clogged again. It drained out after 2 minutes. I contacted the plumber again. He says he can snake it again but thinks there is something else going on. He suggests maybe I need to have the drain jetted and send a small camera in to investigate, which of course, will be cost more money.

I'm getting so stressed about this with Thanksgiving and guests approaching (people are staying for 5 days). This plumber seemed nice but can I assume he did an adequate job and do I need to investigate jetting and/or using a camera? If the house were 50 years old I'd understand but it's not. Please help and thank you.

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Comments (5)

User
9 years ago
I am not a pro and first I am sorry this is happening to you. But to me it makes sense have a camera go in since you have had so much trouble and want to end this problem. For all you know more then grease is involved, I dread saying it but maybe you need new pipes, or the slope of the pipes need checking. I wish the best for your dilemma and hope the pro's chime in.
randy427
9 years ago
When was your septic tank last pumped out? If grease has turned your drain lines into one continuous soft plug, you will need to have it pumped in conjunction with having the lines cleaned. Grease, oil, fat and animal parts should never go down the drain in any amount as the cumulative effect will be to stop the function of the septic tank and clog the drainfield.

JM$.02W
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armoured
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
randy427 is on the money, it's a good idea to get your septic pumped out. Try to keep solids, grease, fat, etc., from getting down there (or as little as possible), and use your garbage disposal as little as possible - use a sink mesh trap (whatever they're called). You should be able to find one that fits the garbage disposal mouth. If you search on the internet, hot water and vinegar can help to remove/flush the grease that's already accumulated; you may need to do this a few times to see an improvement. You can consider doing this regularly (once a month?) thereafter as a preventative measure. Commercial products like degreasers can be used but might harm the operation of the septic field, especially if used in large amounts (occasional one-off treatments probably won't). Obviously if that doesn't work you may need to get it jetted and checked out.

If your plumber is right about the grease build-up, it may just be that solids are getting 'caught' in the grease. So keeping solids from going down there will help, as will flushing out the grease and limiting 'new' grease should too. It does sound likely that it's just build-up of excessive grease after a long time - let's hope so - and if it's just the kitchen drain, relatively localised, so vinegar (or other simple solutions) and being more careful about what goes down there might just do the trick.

Since hubby is a hunter, it's worth keeping in mind that animal fats congeal into solid grease more easily than, say, vegetable oils (fats vs. oils), and at higher temperatures (the hot water helps with that). Grease and fats and oils from cooking (esp from meats) should really be disposed of separately - just pour them out into an empty jar and dispose of them with your garbage.
klem1
9 years ago
You said "We're very careful not to put much down the disposal, i.e. peels, grease, etc." Then tell us duck guts were put down it. This is meant as a joke,,,,,,,,isn't it? IMO,if a home is on septic,there shouldn't even be a disposal in the sink. Have the drain jetted,tanks pumped and start throwing your garbage in the garbage can.
User
9 years ago
I'm surprised that it survived 18 years of abuse before giving you problems. You only did all of the wrong things. And now that's coming due. Only hope that you haven't done permanent damage and have to replace the whole septic system.