[EHJ Smit]

Hello, I've got a blocked sink. I've taken all the pipes immediately under the sink apart and removed any blockages there. Further down where the pipe goes down vertically before making a turn into the wall I've put drain cleaner in several times. This has helped a bit, but the water still doesn't go down. When I open up this vertical pipe (it's basically the top pip slotting into the bottom pipe, so it appears not a solid connection) and let air in the water does go down, but if it's a large amount I have to do this several times to clear the water completely. Water comes up into the sink when the washing machine or dishwasher drain water. Any advice?

Thanks very much.

Erik

[hkstroud]

You have a blocked drain. It is blocked far beyond what you can see. You will have to snake the drain to clear the blockage. You can try clear the blockage with a small manual snake but it will probably take a powered snake.
Purchase a small drum type manual snake and try to clear the blockage. If that not successful I suggest that you call a pro.

PS
There is no such thing as a cheap plumber.

[EHJ Smit]

Great. Thank you very much. I'll do that. No, I didn't think it would be cheap, so I want to try it myself first.

[hkstroud]

If the manual snake doesn't work you can rent small power snakes. The drill powered snakes don't work very well in my opinion. With these devices, the cable is usually inside a vinyl tubing which makes them to stiff to make very many turns.

Good luck.

[CravenMorhead]

If you do get a snake, look at the pipes (if you can) and start from the outlet closest to the block. It sounds like the block is a good ways down your pipe if your washing machine is backing it up. That is unless your washing machine is in the kitchen.

It will be a long arduous process, but you can get it done and it's worth it.