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Author:
dagrappler (DC)
Plumbing question. This is a house built in DC in 1947. It has a single stack in the far right back of the house. The house has 3 levels (basement, 1st floor, and 2nd floor) Basement floor has toilet and a shower. These items are properly draining. However, there is a problem with the kitchen sink. Water from the upstairs shower and toilet coming into the kitchen sink. Plumber came over and snaked the kitchen drain 15 feet and could not release the clogg. Plumber told me that the drain needs to be snaked to the sewer and that would cost me $400. I told him that the basement floor is draining fine so I do not think that it where the problem is. My guess is that there is an obstruction lodged between the 2nd floor and 1st floor that does not allow water to flow downward past where the kitchen drain joins the main drain stack. Or the obstruction could be right below where the kitchen drain joins the main drain stack. The basement has an accessible cleanout. Plumber says that he will pull the upstairs toilet and snake from there tomorrow. Am I correct in my thinking? Do you access the draining cleanout or access by pulling toilet upstairs to clear this clogg? He says that the kitchen drain pipe is too small for what he needs to do. I have already paid the first plumber and do not wish to ripped off again. Please let me know what you think.
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Author:
packy (MA)
hard to say for sure. but, snaking down the vent stack for that bathroom (if possible) might do it as well. ???
just a guess...
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Author:
hj (AZ)
He does NOT snake the kitchen sink drain line. He snakes the main line for the toilet and goes UP from the cleanout. But, then if he is competant he already knows that.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
Sounds as if he needs to snake the sink line, because that line leads to the stoppage.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
The toilet is also draining into the sink so it is the 3" or 4" riser that is plugged up and ANY snake that can go into the sink drain will NOT be adequate to do anything to clear the entire stoppage.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
HJ is correct. The kitchen line drains into a 3" or 4" line that is blocked from draining. You need to find a clean out on that line to clear the stoppage. Have someone at the kitchen sink below when you snake the line so you know you have cleared the line. Good luck.
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