My main stack is backing up into my washer tub in the basement. It drains slowly and is not overflowing. I tried dumping draino in the sink and that seems to have helped a bit, but will be calling a plumber tomorrow.

My question is last week I cut a section of the stack, which is cast iron, and added a pvc wye to hook up a sink in a kitchen remodel. The pvc and cast iron connection has couplings on either end and is on a vertical section of the pipe. Is there any way that this could be connected to the back up, or could it just be coincidence? Also Any time I run water in the house the water in the washer tub gurgles and bubbles, which I read is consistent with a main drain clog. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

Hi Lost

The blockage certainly could be connected to the work done... could have knocked some old scale off the inner sides of the pipe and that scale could have fallen to the base of the stack and clogged the elbow joint. If you are lucky there should be a cleanout at the base of that stack... should be easy enough to remove for a plumber and even easier to clear the blockage if it is right there at the base of the stack. If the cause of the blockage is not at the base of the stack then for sure it sounds like the main drain is clogged further out and the drain will need to be cleared using a large cable drain machine.

Good luck!

Mark

Thanks for your response! I figured I’d try draino again before the plumber came out tomorrow, 4 bottles later and it’s clear! No more brown water backing up into the sink! Now just have to bleach the hell out of that thing!