Clogged drain

[jonmulzer]

The bathroom sink is clogged. First I tried some industrial strength sulphuric acid drain cleaner I had. That did not fix it. So I diluted that by filling up the sink and draining the water multiple times and then added a lye based solution. That brought up a ton of gunk out of the pipes, but still did not fix the problem so once again I scooped everything out and tried the lye crystals again. Still no effect. So I diluted it real well and realized that the small hose for my ShopVac would fit the drain perfectly and vacuumed a ton of sludge out and it still won't drain even though it is sucking like it has no real load on it and no bad smells so I assume it is pulling from a roof vent. Then I took the whole thing apart and ran a homeowner's snake in as far as I could, which was not very far. I am thinking there is not a t-wye in the wall so it is just hitting the back and stopping without making the turn to head down.

Am I missing anything besides calling a plumber?? The toilet and shower both drain just fine so it is isolated to the sink. The only other thing I can think of is going up top and running a snake down the roof vent, and I would rather pay a plumber to do that.....

[shoottx]

Based on your description of what you have accomplished to date it would appear the problem is either where the snake stops or between where the snake stops and where the shower and toilet connect into the drain pipe.

The sinks generally connect in the wall and the toilet and shower drain just connect in the floor.

The only other option I have seen work, is to seal the drain and use compressed air to move or break up blockage. Cautions include too much pressure can burst pipes,(DAMHIK) or force the blockage just farther into the pipe. And if the blockage is past vent pipe opening it won't work.

The only other thing I can think of is going up top and running a snake down the roof vent, and I would rather pay a plumber to do that.

[jonmulzer]

My guess would be that since the vacuum did not work and is pulling air freely that compressed air would not do any better. It doesn't matter though. I loaned my compressor and finish nailer to a friend to run trim in his basement or else I probably already would have tried that.

[cgallery]

Is it a complete blockage, or very slow drain?

[stocktr8er]

Could you cap the roof vent to see if the shop vac would pull out the clot???

[Mr__Bill]

The only other option I have seen work, is to seal the drain and use compressed air to move or break up blockage. Cautions include too much pressure can burst pipes,(DAMHIK) or force the blockage just farther into the pipe. And if the blockage is past vent pipe opening it won't work.

If his shop vac is sucking air then the blockage is past the vent pipe and before where the sink drain meets the large pipe in the floor. For pressure to work he would have to plug the vent on the roof and perhaps at other sinks as well.

I would try a snake that you can twist, they look like a big spring with a crank on it. I have one that is about 5 feet long and another that is in a coil you can feed from. The twisting makes it go around corners at 'Ts"

Another thing you can do is, after vacuuming the water out again is to put some of that caustic liquid down the drain again and let it settle to the blockage. It may in a few hours clear the pipe. I am assuming plastic pipe here and not iron pipe. The caustic stuff can eat through the iron pipe.

good luck,
Bill

[cabinetman]

Here's what I do. I use a sprayer like this on my outdoor hose. I remove the stopper, and stick the end of the sprayer into the drain and wrap a rag around the end. Then I squeeze the handle, and the water forces the line clear.
.

[cgallery]

Here's what I do. I use a sprayer like this on my outdoor hose. I remove the stopper, and stick the end of the sprayer into the drain and wrap a rag around the end. Then I squeeze the handle, and the water forces the line clear.
.

That technique works well when the clog is past the vent pipe as the water fills the vent pipe and put all sorts of pressure on the clog.

My neighbor had to do it in his bathtub when he first moved in and he purchased one of the fittings that goes on the hose that is especially made for this purpose. He was advised by the hardware store guy to go slowly and let the pressure that builds in the vent pipe do its thing.

When he was done we ran about 20 gallons of boiling water from the stove down the drain. That took a while (an entire 12-pack, if I recall).

But the drain hasn't clogged since (eight years).

[jonmulzer]

Is it a complete blockage, or very slow drain?

Essentially complete blockage. You cannot notice it go down over several hours but overnight it miraculously drained. Not quite sure what to make of that. I let it sit with water up to the overflow for 4-5 hours until I went to bed and never noticed it dropping. Then this morning it was down.

[Hellrazor]

I would use a 20-30' flat snake and try that.

[jonmulzer]

That technique works well when the clog is past the vent pipe as the water fills the vent pipe and put all sorts of pressure on the clog.

My neighbor had to do it in his bathtub when he first moved in and he purchased one of the fittings that goes on the hose that is especially made for this purpose. He was advised by the hardware store guy to go slowly and let the pressure that builds in the vent pipe do its thing.

When he was done we ran about 20 gallons of boiling water from the stove down the drain. That took a while (an entire 12-pack, if I recall).

But the drain hasn't clogged since (eight years).

I just tried that method also. I am pretty sure I could hear the water coming out through the roof vents and still no dice. For those who have not tried one of these units be cautious with them on bathroom sinks. As soon as you turn off the water the pressure you built up comes out through the overflow weep hole. That was an unpleasant surprise, let me tell ya. I would try it again by disassembling the trap and inserting it directly into the pipe coming out of the wall, but then when I bleed off pressure if it does not clear I will have 10 gallons of water in my lap and under the sink.

[LCHIEN]

having put lye and sulfuric acid down that drain be careful about using compressed air and getting splashback

[jonmulzer]

having put lye and sulfuric acid down that drain be careful about using compressed air and getting splashback

That is all gone now. It has been rinsed enough that it has all been diluted and vacuumed out repeatedly.

[cgallery]

I would try it again by disassembling the trap and inserting it directly into the pipe coming out of the wall

Just cover the holes with a wet wash cloth.

[newbie2wood]

As suggested, try a drain snake/auger with a crank to reach it. If the bathroom is on the first floor, look for clean-out fitting in the basement and try unclogging the sink from the other direction.

If the snake does not work, its time to call the plumber. DIY is great but I rather pay someone if the job is labor intensive, dirty, or dangerous.
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