[captjeffjones]

Currently, the washer/dryer is in the kitchen I am beginning to remodel. It's a single story house on a cement foundation. The hot water heater is in the garage, so I have gas and hot/cold water. I also have power. The only thing I do not have is any drain access. How can I locate the main house drain (to the sewer in the street) under the garage slab? I am VERY handy, and will do all of this myself. I have already added a bathroom and run gas lines to replace the electric stove and add a gas BBQ. I'm just stumped on how to find the house main drain. Any suggestions?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Capt...

Where is the main drain cleanout located? Locate that first and see how its location relates to the house and garage.

Any plumbing, such as a kitchen or bathroom sink on a wall adjoining the garage? If so, you may be able to connect into those drain/vents. DOn't forget you will need to vent the washer, too... ;)

Back to you...

Mark

[mygirlsdad77]

We use a locating device that is sent down the sewer via snake from a cleanout, or toilet drain. You then use the receiving insturment to follow the sending unit in the pipe. It will show exactly where the pipe runs, and the depth the pipe is buried. Don't know if you can rent this epuiptment, as it can be a little tricky to operate, and is very expensive. I realize you plan on doing the complete job yourself, but it may be well worth the extra money to hire the locating done. Its really amazing how exact these locaters can be. Good luck and please let us know how things work out.

[Milo Dolezal]

FYI: Some people with large properties prefer to use washer water for irrigation purposes. Meaning, they just run washer discharge pipe into their garden / back yard / flower bed. No worry about locating existing sewer pipe here...

[captjeffjones]

The garage is located on the left (facing) side of the house. The kitchen is on the right side, facing the street. The adjoining wall (to the garage is bedrooms only. The bathrooms are also on the left side (facing) part of the house, but in the middle of the house, not against the garage wall. The cleanout I've found is in front of the kitchen. Unfortunately, there is a rather large (and new) driveway outside the kitchen window and all the way down to the street. The driveway was done with lots of rebar and would be a son-of-a-b!$@h to cut. Both toilet drains veer towards the right side of the house (I just replaced the toilets). I fear the main drain may be under the driveway and not under the garage at all. In that case I may be out of luck. I have a friend that works for the city of HB, CA and he said he will run a camera through the sewer and mark the curb where my drain leaves the property, but that won't be enough, even for a guess. I may have to have someone run the equipment stated before. Worth the money it sounds like. The idea about running the drain into the garden is strictly forbidden by the city of Huntington Beach, I'm sure. I may just purchase front loading washer/dryer and make a granite countertop over them. I need counter space!