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Author:
instrumentally (UT)
Two weeks ago our garbage disposal broke. Despite not working, the sink drained normally. Then 3 days ago, the sink started to back up (i.e., water would not drain from the sink unless you waited a few hours). Yesterday I decided to replace the garbage disposal. I thought that the water draining problem was related to the garbage disposal. It wasn't, however.
I replace the garbage disposal, remember to knock out the dishwasher plug at the top of the garbage disposal. The garbage disposal works fine now (i.e., it spins/runs with no noise). However, we still have the drainage problem.
In disassembling the plumbing to install the garbage disposal, I replaced all the plastic pipes going from the garbage disposal, through the p-trap, and the pipe going into the wall. They really didn't need to be replaced, but I did so anyway. There were no visible signs of blockage or sclerosis, so I was puzzled why the water in the sink would back up (not drain). I tried snaking the line, but there is a 90 degree bend about 18 inches into the wall which the snake would not make it through.
I will add that when water is backed up in the sink, turning on the garbage disposal causes the 5" of standing water in the sink to drain in less than 10-15 seconds. Yet even after this "purge" of water from the sink, the sink will continue to back up if you turn off the garbage disposal and run the water again. You can repeat this exercise over and over again, and turning the disposal on will immediately cause the standing water to drain....except that there will always remain about an inch or two of standing water in the bottom of the garbage disposal if you look down inside the sink throat.
The last clue to this mystery is that when we turn on the dishwasher, dishwasher water will come up the sinkhole into the sink. But again, turning on the garbage disposal cause the standing water to drain very quickly.
Any clues as to what the problem is?
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Author:
m & m (MD)
It's time to either clean the sink drain properly yourself, or hire it out to a professional.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
Do you have cast iron piping in the wall or ABS? What is the age of your home? The former poster is giving good advice. If you have cast iron pipe in the wall, it is not as smooth and build up can happen much faster than ABS. A blockage in ABS is usually caused by a belly in the horizontal pipe or by not using proper fittings for flow. Short turn fittings tend to block a lot more than long sweeps in a drainage system, particulary on a horizontal run. If you have a belly in the line you must fix it or you will have these problems persist over time. Be sure that your vents or open thru the roof. One way to verify this is to purchase a baloon type insert into the pipe and attach a garden hose and blow it out. But be careful, if you have a solid blockabe it will back up and spill out into your kitchen or bath. The best path is to figure out where the blockage is and repair that line. Then you can sleep at night. I have made some assumptions with this answer which may not be factual so read and get advice from experienced plumbers if possible. It will help put you at ease. Good luck with your project.
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Author:
instrumentally (UT)
>> Do you have cast iron piping in the wall or ABS?
I have no clue. This is a condo in a 14 floor high rise, built 25+ years ago.
>> be careful, if you have a solid blockabe it will
>> back up and spill out into your kitchen or bath.
I am having a hard time believing that something is blocking the line seeing how the p-trap was almost as clean as a whistle and no sclerosis can be seen anywhere going into the wall. Also, how can turning the garbage disposal on cause said supposed block to "unblock" so as to allow 5" of standing water in the sink to drain in under 15 seconds?
Moreover, the washing machine which is next to the dishwasher drains without any problems.
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Author:
packy (MA)
you are running the snake into a tee in the wall. you need a drop head end on the snake to get it past the tee.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
The garbage didposal will put pressure on the drain so it is not gravity causing it to drain. That the washing machine drains without problems tells me that you have a partial blockage in the sink line. You could try a smaller 1/4" tub drain snake, but it will not clear debris on the walls of the pipe. Proper Venting is a must to have gravity take away your waste water. Your DW and clothes washer being next to each other, they are probably on the same vent line so it looks more line partial blockage from waste adhering to the walls of the pipeing. And being a high rise you probably have Cast Iron or Durham piping in the walls. Just an educated guess.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
You have a blockage in the sink drain. Your best course of action is to have a professional snake the drain out so that it is cleaned properly and you can get on with life. Anything other than professional equipment is really a waste of time and money.
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Author:
steve (CA)
The disposal could be pumping the water up the vent, when you turn it on with a sink full of water.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
That is an absolute possibility. Clear the drain... remove the pain.
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