[shne]

3 basement pipes are connected. The middle pipe (bathroom) is not backing up, but the other 2 (kitchen & laundry) are. The laundry pipe is the open pipe where the water comes out. The kitchen pipe is near the outside wall but it's not that cold in the basement. All 3 connect & go into the floor. How could this be a clogged or frozen issue?
I used a 25 foot snake drainer but only got about 20 feet down. Nothing happened - only got a little food out. Poured boiling hot water down the open pipe. It only overflowed. I poured 2 bottles of Mr. Plumber down the drain, nothing happened.

[massplumber2008]

Double check that the bathroom (middle pipe) isn't backing up again. Here, I want you to fill the tub and then I want you to drain the tub....keep an eye out at the laundry drain as this will overflow if what I suspect is correct! Here, if the tub draining causes water to back up and out the laundry pipe then I suspect that the MAIN DRAIN line may have a partial blockage. This will require different tools than you have now to resolve the issue (can be rented)! Do NOT use any more chemicals or boiling water...both of these will do nothing to help you.

Post back with results, OK?

Mark

[shne]

Thanks Mark.
I fill and drain the tub often, but it doesn't back up. The water only comes out of the pipe opening when I'm draining the kitchen sink or when I'm washing clothes when the washer hose is connected to it. It's odd.

[massplumber2008]

By your description I am unable to help you as it doesn't make sense....draining the tub should definitely back up and out the laundry drain if the sink does it. Call a local plumber and come have him/her investigate is all I can offer.

Guessing that the laundry pipe (and therefore all 3 pipes) is in the basement, I still suspect a partial blockage of the main drain line!!

Good luck!

[shne]

Attachment 45580
Hi,
I had someone look at it, then I realized that I was wrong. The tub & toilet have a separate exit pipe. The sink has the only pipe from the bathroom that's connected to the pipe that's backing up. It just wasn't enough water going down the bathroom sink for me to notice. So the kitchen/bathroom sink and clothes washer are all connected to the pipe that has the blockage. There is a pipe cap/plug that is on the pipe closest to the wall that leads up to the kitchen sink and down to the basement floor. Couldn't I remove it & stick the line down there? If so, do you know how I remove this plastic cap (See attachment)?
Thanks

[speedball1]

If you have a clean out cap,(see image) I would open it up and snake from there. Good luck, Tom

[massplumber2008]

The attachment wouldn't upload, but like Tom said, if it is a cleanout cap (like in his picture) just take a pair of pliers and remove the cap to snake the drain.

[shne]

Yes,
It's just like the one in the picture. I'll try the pliers.

Thanks

[massplumber2008]

If you can keep water so it trickles out of the cleanout it will be helpful to show you where the blockage in the drain pipe is by starting to drain when you find the blockage with the snake. Once the water starts to drain away, work the snake back and forth in that same area many times to clean the pipe well...run hot water and continue to snake the drain a couple more times to finalize the job AND clean the snake at the same time!!

[speedball1]

Letters know how you make out good luck, Tom