[Dyskresiac]

I had my main line snaked by a plumber. He went 20' and stopped. Water backed up again. He then went 45'. No backup. He said that he pulled up only toilet paper. No roots, and saw no signs of bowing. He refused to check the vents- said it is never the vents.

$480 and 32 days later, it's draining slow again. 2 days past my warranty. Anyhow, I rented a 5/8" 100Ft snake. I pulled up NOTHING but minor grime. After running water in one sink for about 5 minutes, the water was backed up again. I thought maybe it was backup, but I live at the top of a hill. I am connected to the street in front of my house, where there are no trees.

What else am I missing? I'm tempted to call the city, but I hate pointing the finger unless I've exhausted other options. Thanks.

[hkstroud]

saw no signs of bowing

How could he say that? Did he run a camera down the sewer?

How far is it to the street?

It is not all that uncommon to have a soft blockage that the snake passes through and then have it close up on you later. It is also possible to have something solid lodged in the sewer that the snake pass over or by. This object remains, to later catch tissue and solids which block the pipe again. That is what this sounds like to me.

The solution is a larger snake or a snake with the proper head. A 5/8 snake is a drain snake, you need a sewer snake. Probably should have a professional do it. Sewer snakes can be dangerous and can do a lot of damage if something binds up.

PS
If plumber pulled back toilet tissue from 40 feet, that sounds like it was caught on something else.

PS to the PS
Don't know where you are located, but $480 for running 45 foot of snake sounds high to me.

[Milo Dolezal]

Running sink for 5 minutes = about 12 gln of water. That means, water probably never reached the main line. Remove trap from the sink and snake its waste line with 3/8" x 50' snake. Do it several times. If it is kitchen sink, use proper tip. Wrong tip will cut through grease and as you pull it out the hole will enclose. Back to you.. Milo

[Dyskresiac]

Milo, poor wording on my part. Running the sink didn't cause backup at the sink. It caused backup in my mainline access, which is basically the base of the toilet in my basement. Not enough backup to actually back up into the house.

$480 was running a 20' snake, then a 45' snake. And thinking he was giving me a deal because he only charged me 75% of the second snake. It really makes me boil thinking I'm going to need to pay AGAIN for a 100' snake, when he should've snaked it all the way to the curb the first time.

The snake head used with the 5/8" snake was shaped like a "Y" or a "U." There were 2 sizes provided, I used the larger of the 2.

The thing that bugs me is that it shouldn't be 100' to the street. I barely have a front yard. I'd imagine that the pipe doesn't go directly to the curb. I am going to get a more detailed answer of where, exactly, I connect to the sewer and that question may be answered.


I have a feeling that there is something wrong with my vents, though I have not been able to get to the roof yet. I'm aware that it will likely not solve the problem, but may have caused it. I say this because my upstairs sink keeps getting clogged with this black tar-like substance. The plumber swore it was grease, but my toilet in the basement always bubbles whenever I run water ANYWHERE in the house. That particular toilet also drains very slowly.

That said, you can probably understand my reluctance to bring someone in again, given the completely awesome experience I had last time. I live in Northern Virginia, a place where a job half-done is almost expected. It's a great place to live, but help is just non-existent.

[Dyskresiac]

Hah, just realized your location. I live in Woodbridge. I'm sure you don't have this problem in Alex

[hkstroud]

Where in Woodbridge? Acres, Woods, Hills?

I think I know what the black tar like stuff is, and you are not going to like it.

[Dyskresiac]

Hills. On top of one of said hills.

An answer is an answer. I can fix an answer. It may be a lot of work and money, but at least it can be fixed.

Assuming it can be fixed.

[hkstroud]

OK those are Hilton built homes. The Hills was built in the early 60"s. Hilton built cheap homes. It would probably be more accurate to say that he built homes cheaply, but he built home people could afford at the time. I bought one in the Woods in the mid sixties, still have it.

Hilton used a bituminous sewer pipe. If you are not familiar with that, it is pipe made by wrapping felt in a spiral and then coating with a bituminous sealer. Cheap to make, light weight and easy to work with. Only problem is that in time the felt has a tendency to unravel, on the inside. Most have probably been replaced by now.
I have been lucky and never had a problem. Only had one blockage in 40 years of tenant occupancy. I was afraid that my turn had come but cleared the blockage and haven't had a problem since.

This is all assuming that yours has not been replaced. Given that you have that kind of pipe I don't think I would be running a snake with a spear point or cutting head down that pipe. Especially the spear point. Two easy to go through the side of the pipe at a turn. Sewer main is probably in the middle of the street but I have never really paid any attention to where the sewer man holes are. That would make the main about 60 to 80 feet from you basement toilet. You would have cast iron under the basement floor and probably under the street if the main is in the street.

You could keep periodically snaking with the 5/8 snake and the spring head and hope that you eventually grab and remove any delaminated felt. Eventually you will probably have to replace the pipe. Before doing that, I would send a camera down to see what was going on.

I haven't had to call a sewer man in quite a few years but I still say you were over charged. If you are going to pay that kind of money call me.

[Dyskresiac]

Bless you, sir. The insight you provided helps me greatly, and really has helped me breathe easier.

I purchased my house at the bottom of the market. It was recently renovated and the owner was planning on turning it into an apartment, so a lot of the big items were completely replaced with brand new shiney parts. The others, it's obvious, look like they've been here since the house was built. I had a feeling that it was one of those pieces that was the problem.

Down here, it's Russian Roulette. Even if I somehow manage to pull a coup and get this thing fixed, I will most definitely keep you in mind and definitely make it worth your while to come all the way down to me. I have no problem paying good money for good help. What I resist is paying good money for bad help.

How would I contact you?

(Also, DoD Employee. Ever have computer problems, you come to me

[hkstroud]

Pm me with a name and phone number.

If you are currently blocked, I can't do anything other than talk for a few days. Recovering from minor surgery.

[Dyskresiac]

Well, here I thought I was losing my mind. Apparently you can't PM until after certain requirements are met. I will say, though, something actually saying that would help. I had to dig it up elsewhere on the site.

I have my ways though.

And I'm not blocked. Just need to use water strategically.

[Dyskresiac]

IAP.

[hkstroud]

Yes, there seem to be a restriction until a certain amount of participation. Email me at aol.com

Or just look me up in the phone book