My bathroom sink is clogged and no type of liquid unclogger is working. I need to install a clean out in the pipe in the basement to snake up to unclogg pipe leading to bathroom sink

The clog may not be as far down the pipe as in the basement. You should install clean out right under the sink as clog can be located in the transition from horizontal to vertical pipe ( San T ). However, you can remove P-trap and snake your drain through pipe opening under the sink. Use 1/4" to 3/8" snake. This way, you don't need to deal with clean out installation.

If you still want to install clean out in the basement then you have to cut your horizontal drain pipe, insert Y fitting and connect to existing pipe with 2 Fernco shielded couplings. Then, cap off the open end of the Y with Jim Cap or similar.


Hope that helps. Back to you. Milo

Clean outs are intended for snakes to travel down the waste pipe towards the sewer, not up towards the bathroom. Why not snake from the bathroom sink?

Clean outs are intended for snakes to travel down the waste pipe towards the sewer, not up towards the bathroom. Why not snake from the bathroom sink?

I've tried with an electric power snake after romoving the PVC sink trap and entering the pipe at the wall. However, it seems to stop just at the base of the bathroom floor (2 ft down). I think the snake can not make the turn under the floor ? Would a power "foot peddle" snake make the turns since it's more powerful then the hand held electric power snake ? I know it might take some work to make sure it passes through the bends in the pipe to get all the way down,but is it worth it ?

Thank You !

You want to make sure you are using right tip that will easily make the turn. Otherwise, it will get stuck in the turn and won't make the bend. If you go to the basement, look at the fitting under the sink. It should be Y or San T. Therefore, there is a chance you already have clean out installed. Back to you. Milo

I need to install a clean out in the pipe in the basement to snake up to unclogg pipe leading to bathroom sink Not a good idea and here's why. Abauines mentioned
1- It's not good plumbing practice to snake against the flow. Milo piped I with
2- you can remove P-trap and snake your drain through pipe opening under the sink. (see image)
3- To install a cleanout on the stack would mean cutting the stack in two. If it should drop it would be a expense you don't need.
4- If there's a clog at the base of the stack you can snake from the roof vent.

Have we talked you out of it yet? Cheers. Tom

Thank you for your response ! However, I understand your answer about a clean out in the basement. However, the sink is located on the second floor bathroom.

If I rent the power snake with the peddle what is the name of the tip that I should have on the front of the snake. The electric hand snake I used and returned had a small coil that looked like a "spring". I bent the front of the snake downward so it would make the turn in the pipe as I entered directly from the wall under the bathroom sink. I had to twist clock wise and push, but it made the first turn just after the pipe in the wall. However, I think my problem is not passing through the horizontal pipe under the bathroom floor ?
My question is the what type of attachment should I ask for at the rental department in Home Depot. If you have a picture of various attachments that would help me tremendously ! I've seen attachments that look bent and possible a small device that looks like a tiny shoe horn.
My last question ! Thank you again!

This is the tip you should use... See attachment... It swivels in 360 degrees... It finds its own way through the pipe and helps you to negotiate turns with ease... Unfortunately, rental places usually don't offer removable tips as people lose them... Hope that helps... Milo

It's called a DROP HEAD attachment. If you use this head and you are patient and READ the snake, you should be able to tell when the snake drops DOWN the drain instead of going UP the vent!

Most rental stores will have this head available with the hand-held electric snake.

Good luck!

Mark