Hi.

Our house is an expanded & completely remodelled older home, with new main floor kitchen incl. garbage disposal and dishwasher which drains into kitchen sink line. Our kitchen sink drain will sometimes backup into our utility sink in the basement, including solid food particles from the disposal, which can create a very gross although contained (in the utility sink) mess.

Our plumber suggests this is a venting issue, and that adding some kind of additional vent component under kitchen sink will take care of the problem. Does this sound right? I just dont understand how adding a source of air immediately below the kitchen sink/garbage disposal will solve a problem in the basement. Also, is this type of vent designed to be installed immediately below a garbage disposal, or will it get clogged with food particles?

Thank you!

-Novice in PA

Get a better plumber. He is talking about adding an AAV or Studor vent thinking your vent stack is clogged. He is ignoring the fact that a Studor will still leave the clog in your existing drain line. I'd suggest a beter plumber who thinks rodding the stack from the roof with a sewer rodder is the answer. There should also be some clean outs on the main drain in the basement, look around for one. http://www.plumbing-1.com/clogged-sewer-pipes.htm

Sorry, new at this, not sure how to post a comment to my original problem so entering as an "answer". My plumber ran a snake, no blockage. All other sources drain fine - including jacuzzi tub, washer. only problem is the new kitchen sink/disposal/dishwasher line. Might there be a problem with the connection from new kitchen drain line?

Our plumber suggests this is a venting issue, and that adding some kind of additional vent component under kitchen sink will take care of the problem. Does this sound right? I just dont understand how adding a source of air immediately below the kitchen sink/garbage disposal will solve a problem in the basement.
You're 100% correct. Vents don't cause back ups, blockages do. Your plumber should have known that. You have a partial blockage downstream from the utility sink.
If your plumber said he snaked the line he either didn't run his snake out far enough to hit the blockage or he snaked the wrong line. Get him back and snake from the utility sink roof vent. Have him put out enough snake to reach the base and 20 feet more or better yet get a plumber with more plumbing smarts. good luck, Tom