Hey, our washing machine is backing up through the drain tube. My husband has been on the roof with a snake and can not open the clog. Looks like mud- he is now attemping to snake through the inside drain pipe, but the snake won't go around the elbow. We have installed a pressure fitting, but want to get rid of the clog.

Return bends on a trap can be difficult to get around but push hard wile the snake's turning should get you past it. What size cable are you using? Let me know, Tom

It is a 1/4" X 26'. He has tried pushing and twisting, but to no avail.

F you have all that trouble getting past the trap rent a 3/8ths. Power snake and snake from the washer roof vent. Put out enough snake to reach the base and 20 feet more.
After, cycle the washer to flush out the line. Good luck, Tom

We will try that on Monday, Thanks!

:confused:
Unfortunetly, we found out that we have a broken/rotting main sewer line. At least we have found our problem. Thanks for all your help

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we found out that we have a broken/rotting main sewer line.

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And where would that line be? Inside or outside your house? Please give details. How did you find this out and what are you doing about it?
Let me know. Tom

The broken part we found is just outside the foundation. We will have a plumber come out today to see the full extent of the damages. We found it when we were installing a fence and saw how wet the ground was, so we investigated and found the broken pipe.

Let us know if we can help. There are other options besides digging the sewer line up and replacing it. Good luck, Tom

What might those be? I would be interested. The house is 50 years old,so I am assuming the plumbing under the house and buried in the yard is the original plumbing. Probably cast iron.

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Originally Posted by ;

What might those be? I would be interested.

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Let me explain a bit more about my drainage problem and how I repaired it. 54 year old house. The builder used sub standard cast iron in the drainage. The 4" house main was completely ate up on the bottom of the pipe , blocked with roots and welling up in my living room floor. I was sure that the main had broke in two and I would have to jack hammer up the floor and tunnel under the foundation to transition to PVC, pick up the back bath and move the main outside the house but I had to know what was going on under the slab so a friend suggested running a camera down there. There was no distinct break in the main, however,it was completely ate up on the bottom. That's when Rooter Man of Sarasota and Gulf Coast Florida suggested relining the main, (see image). It took a day to clear the roots and pressure jet clean the main. Next day they came back and relined the main with epoxy. I now have a sewer main that will out last me, (50 year guarantee) and the best part is that I didn't have to, tear up my house and the cost was under half of what I figured to take the main outside around the house. Another bonus was that it was done without tearing up or disturbing my house. When they were finished I kept a piece of the epoxy liner to check it out. It was white and had the same thickness of Schedule#40 PVC.
I was amazed at the equipment RooterMan had outside my place. The equipment he had cost upwards of $100,000.00. Hi tech stuff that took a technician to run it. There were 3 men and 2 trucks to do the job. And it was completed in two days. Lottsa difference from the old days when I went out on a sewer call with a Ridged K-60 Sewer Machine and a ladder to get to the roof vent. I just wanted to point out that there's another option besides replacing drainage that the years have ruined. If your pipes are a candidate for a reline job I strongly suggest you look into it before you decide to replace the drainage pipes. I did and saved a bundle in addition to keeping my home intact. Just thought I would share that with you all. Regards and thank you for rating my answer, Tom