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    BamBamm's Avatar
    BamBamm Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 16, 2007, 08:16 AM
    Kitchen Sink Overflows!
    Here's a long story shortened...
    On the day before Thanksgiving I put potato peels into my garbage disposal.
    It drained just fine, but on Thanksgiving the sink backed up... BAD! I used liquid stuff to try to unclog it, but it didn't work so I took apart EVERYTHING under the sink and found nothing clogging it up. I went to the lumber yard and bought a 15' snake and snaked the main drain in both directions (up/down). I hook everything up and it still over flows. I have the dishwasher draining via a garden hose into the tub on the other side of the house and I need this taken care of.

    If I could afford a plumber, I would have called one, so I am hoping that someone might have a good word of advice for me.

    I can upload photos to my server if you want to look at what is going on down there... :eek:

    Thanks for reading and for any help...

    William Porter
    Rcpdrums's Avatar
    Rcpdrums Posts: 10, Reputation: 2
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    #2

    Dec 16, 2007, 09:07 AM
    It seems that the blockage is further down the line than you snake can reach. Remember it all drains by gravity, unless you are using a waste grinder to lift the waste to a gravity drain. More info is needed or some pics to help you figure this out. A good rule too, is when using your disposal make sure you let the water run for about the 30 seconds after grinding your food. This helps wash ground up food down the drain.:)
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Dec 16, 2007, 10:40 AM
    I went to the lumber yard and bought a 15' snake and snaked the main drain in both directions (up/down).
    Rcpdrums is correct. Your snake's too short to do any good. Besides I think you're snaking from the wrong place. Let me explain. Your 15' snake's just dandy for snaking the stubout and the horizontal drain line in the wall. However the horizontal drain connects to a sanitary tee and a vertical vent and drain line. You can not get to the main drain by snaking from the stubout, you must go down the kitchen roof vent to reach the blockage. This takes at least a 50 foot power snake. Locate the kitchen roof vent and send a snake down to the base. Once there put out at least 20 more feet of cable. Afterwards, flush out the drain with a few sinks full of hot water. Good luck, Tom
    BamBamm's Avatar
    BamBamm Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Dec 16, 2007, 12:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1
    you must go down the kitchen roof vent to reach the blockage. Locate the kitchen roof vent and send a snake down to the base. Good luck, Tom
    Would this mean I have to get on the roof?

    BTW: I let the water run for at least 30 seconds after food is gone & I use ice cubes with fresh lemon to clean it out...

    Thanks,
    William
    Rcpdrums's Avatar
    Rcpdrums Posts: 10, Reputation: 2
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    #5

    Dec 16, 2007, 12:58 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by BamBamm
    Would this mean I have to get on the roof?

    BTW: I let the water run for at least 30 seconds after food is gone & I use ice cubes with fresh lemon to clean it out...

    Thanks,
    William

    That is perfect for cleaning. This could mean that something else is coming into play here. Are the pipes galvanized? They will eventually close up internally if they are especially on a kitchen sink. Like speedball said sometimes you have to go to the roof with a snake to clean the pipes out. Does your place have a basement with access to a cleanout of some sort. If not then the roof would be an option. Hope this helps
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