I have a first floor bathroom in my house where the sink doesn't drain.

I spent a morning removing and replacing the trap and cleaning out the connection to the branch behind the wall hoping this would remedy the issue. I also snaked the pipe in the wall while everything was open.

The only explanation I can think of is that the short branch from the sink to the main stack is not properly pitched.

Does anyone have any clever ideas on how to increase the pitch of the pipe behind the wall without opening the wall? e.g. a jack stand to push up the existing copper (yes copper!) drain line? Any other ideas? The bathroom has original hot pink tile and I know once I get into cutting the wall I'm going to need to renovate the whole bathroom and I'd rather not go there at this time.

I appreciate any innovative ideas!

No, and that is not the issue anyway. The line has to be cleared by a plumber with a "snake".

even if the pipe is slightly backpitched, properly snaking it would clean it and it will drain fine until it clogs again. no doubt you didn't clean it that well when you snaked it.
as for raising the drain, if it runs horizontal thru a hole in a stud, you will never raise it without enlarging the hole in the stud.
snake it again and run some water thru it with a hose to wash it clean, then snake it once more.

Thank you both. I'll go back and snake it again and use the hose idea. After that I'll re-assemble and come back here if it's still not draining for other ideas.

If the sink bowl fills up it takes about 20 minutes to fully drain.



Edited 1 times.

simply stirring up the 'gunk' that is inside the pipe does not clean it. the stirred up gunk will only move further down the pipe and re-clog. you need to move the 'gunk' along into the big main pipe where it will wash away.

You could try a drain bladder but if you have vent it would not have pressure to clear the clog.

Hot water will liquefy the gunk quicker than cold.

i never recommend liquifying the 'gunk' as it will simply gel further down the pipe when it cools. keep it cold and in a solid form. beat the daylights out of it with the snake and move the small bits of solid 'gunk' down the system.