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-   -   Cannot retrieve broken auger in basement trap (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=109961)

  • Jul 14, 2007, 05:16 PM
    floored
    Cannot retrieve broken auger in basement trap
    I broke about 3 ft. of 3/8 of an auger in basement floor 2" drain trap.
    I asked the local tool rental shop if they carried a retreival bit, but they didnt know
    what I was talking about. I looked in their bin of what was available, & didnt see it.
    Problem is, they were only available on a 1/4 elec. auger anyway, & I can barely
    get around the 90 with the thinner 3/8 in. cable as it is.
    Took an old hand auger and made a similar "retreival end" on it in a vice, but still
    no go, can't get it to go more than 3 or 4 feet.
    I'm guessing my total travel to the main drain is about 6-8 ft. with the 90 turn in the 2"
    Drain pipe.
    Tried water blasting many times, out of ideas, time to call a plumber? Bob:mad:
    [email protected]
  • Jul 14, 2007, 07:08 PM
    XenoSapien
    Sad to say, but it sounds like you may have to call a plumber on this one. Especially if the broken piece is very deep in the line.

    XenoSapien
  • Jul 14, 2007, 08:42 PM
    letmetellu
    Most of the time when a cable breaks going through a 2" trap, it breaks right in the trap. I am not sure what all you have tried but I would try using a 1/4 inch cable and try to get it tangled around the 3/8's and then try to pull them both out.

    If you don't have any luck let us know, we might have other ideas.
  • Jul 14, 2007, 10:11 PM
    floored
    Ok, Let. I believe I tried a 1/4 inch a few years ago on this trap, (motorized) but it would not go through the turn or whatever, just after entering, (used to rent it out every year for the mainline roots, since replaced the main).
    I'm going to have to try again with the smallest bit they can offer, I'm between calling a plumber, see if he has any ideas or gets lucky, or apply the money I would have paid him towards the rental.
    Am going to try by hand again tomorrow real slow, but I think at this point it needs motorized force.
    Will update you either way. Thanks Bob
  • Jul 16, 2007, 07:35 AM
    speedball1
    They do make a retrieval tip,(see image) that's designed to auger into the broken cable and bring it back. Most rental places carry a full set of tips for their rental snakes. Good luck, tom

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