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    meangene714's Avatar
    meangene714 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 30, 2008, 09:47 PM
    Slow draining sink - rusted galvanized plumbing
    I had two slow draining bathroom sinks, one of which cleared up beautifully when I replaced the trap (clogged with rust and other gunk). I tried the same fix on the other, but it didn't help much, if any. So I took the trap back off and ran a hand snake through the galvanized pipe that goes into the wall (this was rusted pretty bad, but not any worse than the other sink). The snake would only go in about 2 ft before it got completely stuck. I'm guessing the rust is built up much worse somewhere in there, causing the blockage. I will probably rent an electric snake and give it another shot. Other than that, are there any tricks to this type of situation?

    I suppose the worst case scenario is that I will need to replace the galvanized plumbing. I was told that the house sits on a slab foundation and that the plumbing is likely encased in the foundation. Any idea of what this type of job would cost? I know you would have to see it first, but any kind of estimate in thousands of dollars would help me get a feel for what I'm dealing with.
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
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    #2

    Dec 30, 2008, 10:31 PM
    'Trick" Yes the best trick is to replace the drain line with PVC pipe. Personally I feel that if the galv pipe is this bad and even though you get it cleared witch might prove hard it will be an on going problem.
    When galv starts to reach its lifespan it constantly keeps flaking off in pieces inside and they are sometimes big flakes. Eventually it will get so thin from the inside out the pipe it self will leak. Yuh need to be the judge of that and see how long it stays open. They can be tough to open because of the scaling in the pipe are sliver chunks and jam up easily and to get the scaly pieces totally drained out of the line

    The question is hoe skilled you are to do drainage. You can save some money buy exposing the sewer line in the conc floor and break up the floor and dig out expose he line. And a plumber takes it from there . There some good savings. Tuff to guess cost without knowing lengths conditions etc

    Signed 21 boat

    If I helped to answer your question please rate answer
    meangene714's Avatar
    meangene714 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jan 1, 2009, 06:07 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by 21boat View Post
    'Trick" Yes the best trick is to replace the drain line with PVC pipe. Personally I feel that if the galv pipe is this bad and even though you get it cleared witch might prove hard it will be an on going problem.
    When galv starts to reach its lifespan it constantly keeps flaking off in pieces inside and they are sometimes big flakes. Eventually it will get so thin from the inside out the pipe it self will leak. Yuh need to be the judge of that and see how long it stays open. They can be tough to open because of the scaling in the pipe are sliver chunks and jam up easily and to get the scaly pieces totally drained out of the line

    The question is hoe skilled you are to do drainage. You can save some money buy exposing the sewer line in the conc floor and break up the floor and dig out expose he line. And a plumber takes it from there . There some good savings. Tuff to guess cost without knowing lengths conditions ect

    Signed 21 boat

    If I helped to answer your question please rate answer
    Thanks for your reply.

    I ran a snake through it again (not an electric, but the type with the knob that you spin by hand) and was able to get it through the blockage that was giving my trouble during my previous attempt. I pulled out a nasty glob of hair and gunk. Ran it through again and pulled out some bits of what looked like tree roots - DOH! Put it back together and it drains much better. Not great, but I can live with it for now.

    I guess my next step (before replacing all of the galvanized plumbing) is to do something about the roots. I've heard of products that you add to drains to kill off roots. Is there a product that can be used on galvanized and plastic (new trap) plumbing?
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
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    #4

    Jan 1, 2009, 07:10 PM
    Good question ,
    Products to drain to kill tree roots
    You know The theory in its self is Nuts DUh if a tree root is in the drainage then the PIPE is open or cracked. Sewer line shoud be fixed if at all possible.
    The other problem the product can hurt a septic tank bio system.
    Here's what blows my customers away when we are standing in the middle of a concrete basement floor and I tell them a tree root is clogging up the sewer line underneath.
    101 Tree Roots
    Any Tree that has a canopy that goes up and over a house roof means its very possible those roots are under the house. BECAUSE the tree grows roots to its canopy edge so when it rains the rain drips over its edges and waters its self from the small feeder roots. I laugh when I see people water a tree at its base.
    If you have galv pipes it very possible you have orange grove pipe for main sewer line out of house or belled terrs cotta sections that are mortared to together, Or Iron pipe. Now all three of thees will allow roots to get in easiy. The Orange grove is a tar wrapped pipe that is easily penetrated by roots and even a snake can blow right through the wall. The Terra Cotta bells shifted a bit or the mortar gets old and actually rots out. The steal simple rust gets thin walled and can be penetrated easily then.
    That's why schedule 30 or 40 DWV PVC is perfect to last.
    You can use tree root inhabatiors but I strongly suggest replace line if at all possible.
    The inhibitors will not bother pipes. To be honest I had My backhoe on many of jobs because of tree roots in septic lines and the inhabiter wasn't enough. It kills me when they advertise the roto rotter cutting tree roots in the sewer line HELLO the line is bad and what about the next time.
    So there's the skinny on sewer lines 101
    Good luck and glad you are draining some what

    Signed 21 Boat

    If I Helped to Answer your Question Please Rate my Answer
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
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    #5

    Jan 1, 2009, 08:23 PM

    Good move and Happy New Year!

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