[topper3424]

I'm a homeowner with three dogs. I wash the dogs in the tub using panty hose material to try to catch as much hair as possible. Obviously, this hasn't worked well. I have a major clog in the tub drain. I called a plumber who spent most of his time on the cell phone trying to get a diagnosis from a fellow plumber. He snaked through the "overage" drain and went quite far, but didn't find the clog. I could hear the snake rattling in some pipe somewhere. He charged me a huge amount of money for not fixing it, and left me with a $3000 estimate to break up the concrete to find a pipe that possibly connects to the toilet. My brother came and snaked from this same drain, and also through a drain he accessed from the kitchen wall. The snake kept ending up in the vent which was the same sound I heard from the first plumber. He also took out the toilet to see if there was a pipe connecting into the area. He couldn't find any. Needless to say, the clog is still there, and I have no idea of what to do. I'm having a hard time spending $3000 to look for a pipe that might not be there. My house was built in the early 60s, and does need a new tub/shower surround, etc. Aside for any suggestions you might offer, would it be worth taking out the old situation, locating and fixing the clog, and putting in new? I know... Don't wash the dogs in the tub anymore... Thank you, Christi

[KISS]

Find a company with Ground Penetrating Radar. They should be able to zoom in the clog non-destructively. I have no idea of the cost.

[massplumber2008]

Hey topper... try this next... bear with me, but has helped a few people over the years.

Get that cover plate off the overflow assembly again.. remove mechanism inside... then fill tub with 2-3 inches of water. Now, stick a wetted rag down into the overflow pipe a couple inches and plug off the overflow (use a screwdriver to hold rag into the overflow. NOW.. plunge that drain. PULL up more so than push down. Here, set the plunger down tight to gain suction then pull back vigorously... you should not hear any air entering the overflow... if you do then reposition wet rag so you don't anymore.. and plunge again.

See... just like that snake went up the vent... if you plunge without blocking the overflow tube to tub it just forces water up the overflow tube.. not very effective at all.

Try this.. should bring back all kinds of junk! See what happens... let me know.

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[topper3424]

Thank you so much for your advice, KeepItSimpleStupid and Massplumber2008. With drain cleaner and lots of plunging the clog came free this afternoon. Was that the happiness sound I ever heard. Thank you, thank you!
Christi

[massplumber2008]

Hey, glad we could help! Now you know the trick ;) You take care.