So, we have a clogged drain under the floor of the basement .
We know this because we noticed recently that when the kitchen sink upstairs or the washing machine downstairs are used, the downstairs laundry sink fills up with water identifiable as coming from the sink or the washer.
If we let it stand overnight, the sink will drain to about 3 inches of water.

I've read quite a bit about how various chemical agents will reach down to the clog but I'm very skeptical that they would have the ability to travel the distance required and not be so diluted by the water that the chemicals must pass through to still be effective at the clog.
(I'm willing to be convinced otherwise if someone has an opposing viewpoint)

So, forging onwards...
I've gotten a 3/8" plumber's snake down the laundry sink drain, past the P-trap and to the joint of the vertical pipe that comes from upstairs.(apprx. 3 feet horizontally from the P-trap to the joint)
The joint has the appearance of being molded somewhat to guide the water downward but try as I might, the snake will turn up the vertical pipe instead of down.

I'm looking for some guidance on:
1. How to direct the snake downward
2. Is there another method of getting to the clog down the pipe without cutting the vertical pipe?

You just have to work it slowly or try the vent if it's a stright run down you said it was the kitchen sink and most kitchen sinks have the vent terminateing right above the sink on the roof so try snakeing it from the roof

I have had luck by turning the cable in a reverse rotation to make it turn down and not climb up into the tee and turn up.

Although a sanitary tee will direct the flow down the only way that you can be sure that the cable doesn't turn upward in a vent is to go on the roof and drop the snake down the vent. Other then that ALWAYS GO WITH THE FLOW when snaking a line. If you snake against the flow you might end up coming up out of a closet bend and damaging the toilet bowl. Good luck, Tom

So I see you have broken toleits too goo to know I am not the only one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by plumberjames83

....most kitchen sinks have the vent terminateing right above the sink on the roof so try snakeing it fromthe roof

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Most kitchen sinks have a window right over them. However the vent would be a good place to start with the main stack being one 90 from the clog under the basement floor

Try taking the trap off and going down the line that way. It will make it a lot easier to get the snake in the right direction. Going down the vent is also an opition if you have a long enough cable. Don't worry about the chems unless you are going to use drain snake the can only be bought at a plumbing supply house... remember that if the water will not flow then the chems won't either... Hope this helps