We tried snaking a basement bathtub drain and hit a grate which has been there since the plumbing was put in place a long time ago before we owned the building. I'm wondering what is the purpose for such a grate and, if we don't want it there, how do we go about removing it or rendering it useless (if that's advisable)? Does one absolutely have to tear up the floor? If you can get a snake down there, why not something which could break through such an obstruction?
Thank you!

There shouldn't be any grates in the sewer line. How do you know there is a grate in the line?

Is this a drain grate in the floor? If so then your drain line may be improperly installed.

possible backwater valve ???

That's the problem with words, they have definite meanings and "grate" would not apply to a backwater valve.

I would hope that you consider using a sewer camera to verify your theory.
Best Wishes

I'll speak with the plumber again and get the specifics.

It was originally part of a basement later converted into an apartment.Hmmm....

I will inquire further!

Can do!



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I haven't had any luck talking directly to the plumber, but the person answering the phone said our plumber most likely hit a trap when snaking the drain. Traps are pretty common in older plumbing around here. (?) The snake was too stiff to force further and risk getting stuck so that was the end of it. Aren't there snakes which are more flexible? I thought that was what roto-rootering businesses specialized in. Am I to believe that NOTHING will go down that silly drain past the trap to clear away whatever may be slowing things down? I understand that using caustic substances would be unwise and bad for the pipe,right?

There are limits to what a steel cable can safely traverse, and you may have a house trap or similar in line running trap. Generally speaking, it is best to bust the floor and dig them out when you find them, but I am just guessing as it takes someone competent on site to properly diagnose what is really going on. If it is a set of house traps, it may be built over, behind a wall, under a new floor, etc. and difficult to find.



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If it is a trap in the line, NO good snake will go around it. That is why they have openings on either side of it. If a snake was able to go through the trap it would be too "limber" to do any good when it encountered an obstruction.