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Crisgordon · May 11, 2013, 05:28 AM

I just installed a new garbage disposal. My old one finally stopped working. I turned on the water and it does not drain. I unhooked the pike from the disposal to see if water goes through and it does. I snaked the pipe about 20 feet. I poured about 12 oz. of water down the pipe before I pt it back together and it does not drain. I'm at a loss. It doesn't make any sense.

ma0641 · May 11, 2013, 09:16 AM

Not to me either. Remove the side arm and blow into the drain to pressurize it. Open? Does the impeller spin when turned on? Did you knock out the DW connection? Have the piece? I have never installed one that did not drain. Did you move it to a deep sink? If the outlet is below the p trap arm it will not drain.

speedball1 · May 11, 2013, 09:18 AM

unhooked the pike from the disposal to see if water goes through and it does. I snaked the pipe about 20 feet.

I'm confused. If the pipe out of the wall drained why did you snake it? And since that pipe connects to a tee 5' in the wall putting about 20' is useless unless you have a drop head auger tip on the snake.

I poured about 12 oz. of water down the pipe before I pt it back together and it does not drain.

But you just told me it did drain.
Time to clear this complaint up.
1- Did the sink drain before you installed the disposal?
2- With the trap disconnected does water drain out of the disposal?
3- Is there one or two traps in your sink?
4- Can you clear up the two conflicting statements that you're telling me that the pipe drains and then says it doesn't. Back to you, bToim

Crisgordon · May 11, 2013, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

I'm confused. If the pipe out of the wall drained why did you snake it? And since that pipe connects to a tee 5' in the wall putting bout 20' is useless unless you have a drop head auger tip on the snake.
But you just told me it did drain.
Time to clear this complaint up.

1- Did the sink drain before you installed the disposal?
2- With the trap disconnected does water drain out of the disposal?
3- Is there one or two traps in your sink?
4- Can you clear up the two conflicting statements that you're telling me that the pipe drains and then says it doesn't. Back to you, bToim

It did drain slowly, but I assumed it was because of the faulty disposal. By the time I replaced it a couple days later all the water had drained. With the p trap removed the water drainers straight through the new disposal to a bucket below the sink. When I put the trap on. It backs up. The I snaked the pipe from where the trap connects on about 20 ft. That is the mystery. After snaking, I poured some water straight down the pipe that goes into the floor and it back up after about 12 oz. of water. I wouldn't think that would happen after I was able to snake 20 ft.

Crisgordon · May 11, 2013, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by ma0641

Not to me either. Remove the side arm and blow into the drain to pressurize it. Open? Does the impeller spin when turned on? Did you knock out the DW connection? Have the piece? I have never installed one that did not drain. Did you move it to a deep sink? If the outlet is below the p trap arm it will not drain.

It did drain slowly, but I assumed it was because of the faulty disposal. By the time I replaced it a couple days later all the water had drained. With the p trap removed the water drainers straight through the new disposal to a bucket below the sink. When I put the trap on. It backs up. The I snaked the pipe from where the trap connects on about 20 ft. That is the mystery. After snaking, I poured some water straight down the pipe that goes into the floor and it back up after about 12 oz. of water. I wouldn't think that would happen after I was able to snake 20 ft.

speedball1 · May 11, 2013, 10:14 AM

Did everything drain OK before you swapped out the disposal. I'm still trying to find out if the drain line's clogged and if it was clogged before you installed the new disposal. Does the line drain the sink or is it clogged? Back to you, Tom

Milo Dolezal · May 11, 2013, 01:56 PM

I assume you have 2-bowl kitchen sink...

Check the "T" in drain assembly under the sink. That "T" connects both sides of the sink together and has the narrowest passage in the drain. That's where it gets clogged up very easily... Back to you. Milo

massplumber2008 · May 11, 2013, 06:14 PM

Hi Chris

You said, "After snaking, I poured some water straight down the pipe that goes into the floor and it back up after about 12 oz. of water. I wouldn't think that would happen after I was able to snake 20 ft.".

Well Chris, my guess is that the drain line is clogged with grease/soap/scum from years and years gone by and that the snake went through the blockage, or it went up the vent!

If the drain line is seriously clogged with grease/soap/scum it can take as many as 5-10 passes with the snake just to get water flowing. Worst cases then require another 3-5 passes with the snake AND hot water flowing down the drain to make a really big difference in the pipe long-term!

Otherwise, the snake is going up the vent and not going down the drain (happens more than you might think). Here, you may need to rent a snake with a "drop head" (see images) to force the snake down the drain. You can also try kinking the end of your snake and send it in 4-5 times... should find it's way down the drain now that you understand what is involved... ;)

Questions? Let us know, OK?

Mark