My washer is backing up into the kitchen sink. When this happened about 6 years ago I had the roof vent professionally snaked to solve the problem. So this time I had my brother snake out the vent... seems to be OK but we are wondering if there is some product we can flush the vent pipe with? It is lined with black sludge. We are also having to plunge the one toilet at least once a month, are these two issues connected? I have a 55 year old mulberry tree that grows over the mainline to the sewer and yearly have the mainline from the toilet flush in "mainline cleaner" to clear roots and build up. Is there a bigger problem lurking?:( Thanks, Dawn

Hey Dawn,

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we are wondering if there is some product we can flush the vent pipe with? It is lined with black sludge.

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I am no fan of putting harsh chemicals in your drainage system. Besides, they only seem to work in TV commercials. The only way to be sure a drain's cleared is to snake it. For short drain lines 1 1/4 to 2" use a small hand cranked snake. For vents and sewers rent a sewer machine. For the sludge flush the lines with hot water to loosen the grease.

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I have a 55 year old mulberry tree that grows over the mainline to the sewer and yearly have the mainline from the toilet flush in "mainline cleaner" to clear roots and build up.

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What "cleaner" are you flushing down? If it's not fine grain Copper Sulfate then you're spending too much money. Good luck, Tom

[QUOTE=speedball1] For the sludge flush the lines with hot water to loosen the grease.

Can I put the hot water down the vent pipe on the roof?

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Can I put the hot water down the vent pipe on the roof?

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That's where it goes! A bucket of really hot water to loosen the grease followed up with warm water taken off the water heater boiler drain with a hose. Just flush until the water runs cool. Good luck, Tom