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View Full Version : Two simple questions for a pro


nated
Jan 23, 2013, 06:42 PM
1) I got under the mobile home today because our water froze. The drain pipe from the kitchen to the sewage was levelandbowed down in the center. Would the level pipe with the sag be causing the drain problem. Even though the sink is above the septic drain. My thought process was to cut the septic pipe in half and get a 45 dsgree elbow and run the 20 foot drain pipe way more at an angle and shim it up snug with sinder blocks and shims every few feet.. so the question is is the leven pipe with a sag in the center my problem? The sag is probably only 6 inches over a 20 feet span.. I asked someone here and they said the momentum from the height of the sink would shoot it over the sag? Or am I cloged?
2) this is pure curiousity, how in the hell does the dishwasher drain sit lower than the drain pipe in a sink, and drain? That defies physics in my eyes? Thank you so much for the answers to my previous question. Very helpful

hkstroud
Jan 23, 2013, 09:35 PM
momentum from the height of the sink would shoot it over the sag?
The force of the water from above will push the water down the pipe but when the flow stops the water in the slump will remain. Drain pipes should slope downward between 1/8 to 1/4" per foot and should have no slumps. Sounds like your drain is not properly supported. Use a level to determine that the pipe does indeed slope downward. If you mean that the slump is 6" over the entire length of the pipe you should be able to correct by supporting it every 4'. If there is a permanent bow in the pipe and you cannot straighten it by properly supporting it, cut it out and replace. PVC pipe is not that expensive.



or am I cloged?

Yes, the water in the pipe that did not drain out is frozen. Heat with hair dryer and properly support the pipe.


how in the hell does the dishwasher drain sit lower than the drain pipe in a sink

The dishwasher has a pump which pumps the water up to the drain level.