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-   -   Garbage Disposal geyser (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=587733)

  • Jul 16, 2011, 07:12 AM
    DoniaG
    Garbage Disposal geyser
    I have searched diligently through several sites, but haven't found the answer I hope you have.

    Whenever I turn on my garbage disposal, I get a regular geyser of dirty water from the drain of the second sink. Water drains freely from both sinks, so I don't THINK I have any clogs. From my research, I also THINK I need to find a way to vent the connection to keep this from happening. Is this correct? Is there a way to do this under the sink so that I don't have to put a hole in my granite composite sink? I've read about under sink venting, but don't really understand what I'm reading.

    If my brother and I can't figure out how to do it, I would at least like to sound fairly intelligent when talking with a professional.

    BTW - I live in a third floor condo with no access to any plumbing except what's inside my unit.

    Thanks, Donia
  • Jul 16, 2011, 07:54 AM
    ballengerb1

    OK here what I think, you should get 3 plumbers to give you bids, listen carefully to what they think is wrong. You sound eager to try this job but pretty short on plumbing experience so hear want the plumbers have to say. That vent you are worried about is a dishwasher vent, not a disposal vent. You have a partial clog in the sink drain after the two sinks come together. How long has this been going on or has it happened every time? When was the disposal put in?
  • Jul 16, 2011, 09:35 AM
    DoniaG
    Comment on ballengerb1's post
    Thanks for the quick answer. And, yes, I'm absolutely devoid of plumbing experience! The disposal appears to be relatively new - it was here when I moved in a few years ago, but it's shiny and clean.. I did replace the sink at that time. Yes, it happens every time. It wasn't a problem until I started cooking on a daily basis and using it regularly.

    How would I go about cleaning out the drain? I'm assuming that one doesn't pull Drano through a disposal!
  • Jul 16, 2011, 11:16 AM
    ballengerb1

    No drano in the disposal, or pipes for that matter. The clog is after the two sink drains come together so you should be able to remove the 1 1/2" trap under the sink and then rod straight into the wall with a 1/4" twisting snake.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 12:18 PM
    DoniaG
    Comment on ballengerb1's post
    Got it. Thanks so much. Will call a plumber next week. D.
  • Jul 16, 2011, 02:14 PM
    ballengerb1

    Calling a plumber is fine but what I described can be done by most homeowners too.

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