Check out some similar questions!

frustrated17 · Nov 12, 2010, 06:52 AM

I have a new bathroom in my upstairs of my house, there ias a large jacuzzi tub that I was testing for leaks, when I drained the tub, after a few minutes there was water pouring out of my finished basement bathroom sink. My father went up on my roof with a snake and hose to see if there was a clog in the vent stck, he did feel something in there, but wasn't able to pull it out, he stuck the hose down there and within minutes it was backfilling my downstairs sink. I have a plumber that I don't completely trust, who is realdy to assume that there is a problem with the plumbimg pipes in the wall, and is comvniced that this couldn't be a leak, although my father thinks there is a clog just above the sink, that is preventing the flow of water from making it out to the street. I have city sewer, not sure if that matters. I just wondered what the likelihood of this being a clog is, and if I should just let this guy rip into my wall?

speedball1 · Nov 12, 2010, 07:13 AM

I have a plumber that I don't completely trust, who is realdy to assume that there is a problem with the plumbimg pipes in the wall, my father thinks there is a clog just above the sink, that is preventing the flow of water from making it out to the street.

Listen to Daddy! You do have a clog downstream from the sink.
What bothers me is that the back up should have come from the lowest fixture, a toilet or a tub/shower. Can you shed some light on this for me? This isn't just a laundry sink down there is it? Back to you, Tom

frustrated17 · Nov 12, 2010, 07:42 AM

Ok, third time I am answering this, I think I am doing something wrong, cause I never see the reply! The sink downstairs is part of a full bathroom, with a tub in it. My dad was confused too, he assumed it should have hit the lowest fixture too.

The house was built in 1920, and I am not sure where the original bathroom was, or if that matters.

argaiu1017 · Nov 13, 2010, 12:42 AM

Hi,
Obviously the blockage is just downstream of the sink before it ties into the building drain(trunk). Your sink connects with the tub.

Hi again,

Did not quite finish what I was saying. So anyway, do not have to rip your walls open. Locate a cleanout at the sink to clear blockage and if none, pull the trap of the sink and attempt to clear with a 20' hand snake before paying. I am sure it is hair balls. Be patient.

speedball1 · Nov 13, 2010, 05:42 AM

Ok, third time I am answering this, I think I am doing something wrong, cause I never see the reply!

What are you talking about? You posted a question and I answered it. This site only shows two posts by you and both are right here

My dad was confused too, he assumed it should have hit the lowest fixture too.

I'm beginning to like Dad more and more. We think alike. You back up should have backed up in the tub,
I disagree with argaiu that the clog will be found by pilling the trap. Then clog is lower down then that. If there is no cleanout on the stack coming from upstairs then you must snake from the lower bathroom roof vent.
However, there is a way to get in the vent through the trap.
If you rent a sewer machine with a drop head auger tip. (see image) that will direct the snake down inti the main from the sanitary tee. You have ton get at the clog from one of those three places. If you ever find out why it didn't back up from the lowest fixture please let me know, Tom

argaiu1017 · Nov 13, 2010, 11:35 AM

Hi,

Someone is confused. Not all tub, shower, and sink from basement are tied together. They may each tie in separately into main trunk. What I am saying is the tub stack waste ties in with sink basement downstream of riser for the sink. It sounds like the tub is right above the basement sink and drain by gravity.

frustrated17 · Nov 15, 2010, 08:01 AM

Thanks for your response! I was not logged in, that was why I couldn't see my posted reply! DUH! My dad got to the sink cleanout, and snaked, could feel something, but when we filled the pipes through the cleanout, the water just sat, tried to move aga

frustrated17 · Nov 15, 2010, 08:03 AM

Again, with no luck. We also ahd the trap completely apart, cause my dad didn't like the way it was piped, so he redid it, there was no clog in there either. My dad is done, so I am now going with some company that is affiliated with my work.

frustrated17 · Nov 15, 2010, 08:04 AM

My dad is concerned that it cuold be a collapsed pipe, or maybe, keeping fingers crossed a dead animal, or roots! There is another pipe running under my house, where my kitchen sink pipes into, maybe that is where the tub goes? Thanks again!

speedball1 · Nov 15, 2010, 08:30 AM

Argalu,

someone is confused.

Gee thanks! I'll see your 8 years in the plumbing trade and match it with my over 50 years, (I've been on Q&A forums longer then 8 years)
You are correct, Some codes vent every thing but the family dog but most installations go down like this.(see image)

Frustrated,

My dad got to the sink cleanout,

What clean out? Describe it.

he stuck the hose down there and within minutes it was backfilling my downstairs sink.

One more time, I disagree with argaiu that the clog will be found by pilling the trap. Then clog is lower down then that. If there is no cleanout on the stack coming from upstairs then you must snake from the lower bathroom roof vent.
However, there is a way to get in the vent through the trap.
If you rent a sewer machine with a drop head auger tip. (see image) that will direct the snake down inti the main from the sanitary tee. You have ton get at the clog from one of those three places. Good luck, Tom