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frmuhl69 · Mar 23, 2007, 11:17 AM

I have a house built in the 1930's. The plumbing has not been used for about 3 years.

I have a clogged bathtub AND sink drain pipe. I have been able to snake the bathtub snake about 8 feet. This is the point where it seems to stop and not go any further. Every time I pull the snake out it has a bunch of this "black sludge" that smells bad and make a big mess.

I think I am close to the Vent Stack which is about another foot... Is there any better avenues to take on trying to get through this "Black Sludge?" It seems to be packed in the pipe pretty good.

Thanks for your time and help!

ballengerb1 · Mar 23, 2007, 12:17 PM

This is a real mess since 3 years of evaporartion can turn sludge to concrete. Is your snake the type that can receive different cutters? If so I would try a the smallest cutter first rather than the corkscrew type. I have used a bladder type tool than screws onto the end of a hose. When inserted into the pipe the bladder expanse and seals against the pipe wall before pushing water into the drain. This is not a good idea if you have passed the vent since it will just push water up the vent.

frmuhl69 · Mar 23, 2007, 01:20 PM

Thanks for the reply Ballengerb1... It does seem like I am cutting through concrete. I do have a motorized drain snake that accept different cutters. I went through with the bullnose tip first and then with the 2 inch cutter. It seems like I am at a point were it just doesn't want to go further.

Will pushing water through break up the "concrete" or is there some other cemical that may break it down better? I may try the bladder type seal you stated.

Unfortunately, the drain is located in the living room ceiling (I had to cut out a hole in the ceiling area to get to the drain), so I cannot run much water through or it may end up in the livingroom causing me more problems...

ballengerb1 · Mar 23, 2007, 02:35 PM

Any chance or reaching a clean out on the otherside/lower side of the drain. I agree, hate to be rodding in a living room. Not a fan of chemicals because,if they don't break up yourclog they may come back to you. You have done your bullnose and 2 in. in the right order. Keep drilling away with the bullnose and ask someone to listen in the house to see if you can find the sticking point. You may have hit a T in the drain that should have been an L.

frmuhl69 · Mar 23, 2007, 02:45 PM

Unfortunately, the only way I can reach the other side is to cut out the plaster wall or rip up the bathroom floor... not really wanting to do that...

I am not a big fan of chemicals either... I will try and keep drilling away with the bullnose and see where it get me...

I have a question for you? Do you think the drains are separate from te sink and the tub? Would they both be going to the vent stack separately? Or do you think they are tied in?

ballengerb1 · Mar 23, 2007, 04:15 PM

They are probably like a tree trunk with branches. Eventually they all come together. If you have some drains working and others not that means your blockage is inside the perimeter of the house. Old houses are difficult to work with because you never know hat standards, if any, were followed. There should be a clean out within the house in the basement or crawl space, alas not always true in the 30s.

speedball1 · Mar 24, 2007, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by frmuhl69

Unfortunatley, the only way I can reach the other side is to cut out the plaster wall or rip up the bathroom floor...not really wanting to do that....

I am not a big fan of chemicals either...I will try and keep drilling away with the bullnose and see where it get me...

I have a question for you? Do you think the drains are seperate from te sink and the tub? Would they both be going to the vent stack seperately? Or do you think they are tied in?

As a general rule the lavatory and tub are connected to the toilet drain line which runs to the stack. Back in the 30's drum traps were used on bathtubs.
If that's the case here you will not be able to get a snake past it. Are you certain your tub has a "P" trap? Regards, Tom

frmuhl69 · Mar 26, 2007, 01:36 PM

The tub has a "P" trap... I know only because I had to cut it out in order to get in a good spot to run the snake through... The snake seems to be getting all the way to the toilet, but binds up when I try to go further..

All drains are working in the house except for these sink and tub drains on the second floor... The toilet seems like it is flushing OK...

I did try and use the bladder type "Drain King" on the tub drain and none of the water from it came back at me... So I am thinking it may be open... My next step is going through the sink drain to see what I run into there... If it ends up the same way, I will close up the piping and see if It did clear up...

Thanks for your responses!