[jazzisophie]

The kitchen sink is slow. When the garbage disposal is turned on it clears the drain but then it ends up pouring out at the top of the main drain pipe. The main drain had old holes that are no longer in use. So it's leaking actually above the plumbing. So there must be a clog beyond the kitchen drain and the water is taking the path of least resistance?


There was originally just old rags stuffed in the holes. I got rubber caps at home depot. (I did remove the rags of course before using these caps)

This is on the 3rd fl of a triple decker. Any suggestions to trouble shoot to see if I can clear it up before calling the plumber would be great. Thanks

[speedball1]

When the garbage disposal is turned on it clears the drain but then it ends up pouring out at the top of the main drain pipe.

The reason being that the plate of the disposal acts like the impeller of a pump when it's turning.

The main drain had old holes that are no longer in use. So it's leaking actually above the plumbing

If you're allowing t those "holes" to leak then you're allowing sewer gas to enter your home. Have them capped off tight ASAP.

this is on the 3rd fl of a triple decker

What do you mean by "triple Decker"? Can you send us a picture of this "triple decker"?
Now, on to your original complaint. It sounds like the clog is in the horizontal drain line in the wall. You'll have to figure how to get a snake up into the wall and run about 6 feet of snake in. I would remove the "J" bend off the trap and send your snake up the trap tail band into the wall.
Good luck, Tom

[massplumber2008]

Hi all...

Tom, a triple decker is a three story building with porches on each floor on the front of the house... some have porches on all 3 floors in back, too... found all over Boston and surrounding towns (see image).

Jazzie...

Like Tom said, you'll need to snake the drain. If you can go up on the roof and find the vent stack that serves the kitchen sink you may want to try sending a cable/snake down the vent at the roof... be careful NOT to lose the snake as gravity has a tendency to suck these snakes in... ;)

Otherwise, you'll need to snake the drain from the trap under the sink. Here, so you can help to force the snake to go down the drain... instead of up the vent... you'll really need a DROP HEAD attachment on the cable/snake you use. They should be readily available at any tool rental store.

You'll want to rent an electric hand-held snake (see image) and make sure it comes with a drop head attachment (bottom cable in 2nd pic.). You'll also want to purchase some leather gloves and a pair of goggles.

Let us know if you want to discuss this more...

Mark