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needanswers
Jul 13, 2006, 01:15 PM
The sink in which the tubing from our washing machine is clogged.
It has been for days. What can I use to unclog it. I've been unable to do any laundry, since the water continues to back up.
I'd prefer to use something environmentally friendly, and something that will prevent the sink from becoming clogged again.
Would appreciate any suggestions.

speedball1
Jul 13, 2006, 03:39 PM
The sink in which the tubing from our washing machine is clogged.
It has been for days. What can I use to unclog it. I've been unable to do any laundry, since the water continues to back up.
I'd prefer to use something environmentally friendly, and something that will prevent the sink from becoming clogged again.
Would appreciate any suggestions.


You will have to snake out the laundry sink roof vent. Rent a Ridgid K-50 or equivalent (see image). Drop the cable down to the base of the vent, start the machine and put out about 20 feet more. Test by filling and draining the sink. Good luck, Tom

needanswers
Jul 13, 2006, 05:02 PM
Tom,
Thank you for making the time to respond to my "quandry".
My husband is "pretty handy", and has snaked the drain, but to no avail.
He has also tried baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water.
He is questioning why you are suggesting the roof vent, since the laundry sink is the only sink that is clogged. He's under impression, that other sinks would also be clogged if the "cause" of the "problem" were originated from the vent??

speedball1
Jul 14, 2006, 05:21 AM
"He, (my husband) is questioning why you are suggesting the roof vent, since the laundry sink is the only sink that is clogged. He's under impression, that other sinks would also be clogged if the "cause" of the "problem" were originated from the vent???"
That's because the "cause" of the problem didn't originate from the vent. The blockage is in the laundry sink drain line and the easiest way to get to it is from the roof vent. You could remove the "J" bend from the trap and go in through the stubout in the wall but the problem with going in that way is that once you hit the sanitary tee at the vent/drain pipe you never know if the snake will turn up or down. If it goes up then you're just spinning your wheels and nothing will get cleared. Every sink has its own trap and vent. All of your sinks aren't on the same vent or drain line. The roof vent is still the best place to snake out a drain line for two reasons. (1) It's the only sure way of reaching the blockage and (2) The snake will be black, dirty and greasy when you pull it out. Where would you rather deal with it? Inside your house or out of it? Good luck, Tom