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    probyn's Avatar
    probyn Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 13, 2009, 01:36 AM
    Water supply pipe clog assistance?
    Our elderly courtyard broke a water supply main, a new copper pipe was installed to a portion of it, but older pipes connecting to each house were left in. When the water was turned on again, my own place ran very dirty water (debris and almost gravel suspended in dark water) for 2 entire minutes, and even then clogs were occurring. Turning taps on and off seemed to help and after taking an ice pick to visible debris in any faucet screen, I removed most debris and after a toilet problem, where the shutoff valve would not operate (I suspect due to internal debris I could not access, but which seemingly flushed out of its own accord), my house is now OK. My neighbors are not so lucky. The upstairs water to any fixture (shower, toilet, sink) does not produce a drop.
    My question-- is there a way to blow back air or water to break up debris clogs? Or other method? I am well aware that a snake will not fit into a line, especially elderly ones likely shrunk due to mineral accretions.
    Thanks for your help.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Mar 13, 2009, 06:30 AM
    My question-- is there a way to blow back air or water to break up debris clogs? Or other method?
    It would be expensive to hire a plumber to blow out your lines especially if the main still has dirt left in it. Flushin g and cleaning the crudfrom your end is the best way to address this problem. The best part is that once your lines are clear you're good to go. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom
    probyn's Avatar
    probyn Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Mar 13, 2009, 10:30 AM
    Thanks, how does one flush and clean the crud from user's end? Coathanger? I'm afraid the clog may have gotten caught on a narrow place somewhere mid-pipe.
    p.s. I can't find a place to comment/rate your answer. Help?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Mar 13, 2009, 12:03 PM
    To comment you click on the scales above. Flushing the lines will depend on how far the dirt in the system the dirt contaminated it. This will be both time consuming and a large scale hassle. Since the city caused the problem will the city help pay the expense of having outside help to do the work? If you plan on doing the work yourself the first thing to do is flush the heater. Do you know how?
    The next thing is to determine which faucets and fixtures are affected. From there the real lhassle begans. Do you wish to continue? Regards, Tom
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