Plumbers: Tile grout in drain line....

[Normy]

Well, here's the problem. We purchased a rental house last fall, and after minor renovation, we found a tenant in February.

Among the things I did to the house was install a dishwasher [I cut out a kitchen cabinette] and a new garbage disposer in the kitchen sink.

When we had it inspected, the drain worked fine. We didn't put anything down the disposal, just checked to make sure it worked.

We had a blocked drain in the bathroom, and we had it snaked out. They ran the snake almost to the street, so we know that it and the main line are clear. The kitchen sink got plugged shortly afterward, and we had it snaked out too, seemingly solving the problem. Well, yesterday the tenant used the disposal [second time ever, according to him] and the kitchen sink promptly plugged up. He had a plumber friend, and in an attempt to keep him happy, we called him in this morning. He turned out to be a very knowledgeable and reasonably-priced guy, and his diagnosis, after examining his "snake" was that the previous owner had probably poured excess tile grout down the drain when they were done tiling the house. He showed us the sand, and the snake was polished by whatever is down there. The drain is partially plugged, and he suggested:

1. Tearing out the floors and replacing the pipe.

2. Installing a "dry well" for the sink and eliminating the disposal.

We don't have the isometric on this house [the city lost their copy in a flood] so the whole kitchen would have to be ripped out in order to fix the pipe, and the tenant is adamant about having a friggin' disposal.

Has anyone here ever encountered a method for removing heavy deposits such as grout or cement from drainage pipes?

Thanx in advance...

N

[ginot912]

For one thing the front part of the snakes are always shiny/polished from rubbing on debris and pipes.
Dry well in a no no for a kitchen drain.
One option could be a water jet.
BTW I'm not a plumber just have some construction knowledge.
If you've had problems before, it most likely was not cleared out completely and the line replugged itself. Do you have a clean out in front of the house?
Water Jet would be my next step.


Gino

[DanielDudley]

How about a mild acid solution, and a resnake, or keep pouring vinegar down there at the end of every day.

[Normy]

I believe the pipe is cast iron. I don't know this for sure, but the house was built in 1959, and they didn't have PVC back then.

What is a water jet?

Thanx again!

N

[OnTheRun2]

First, spend the money to have a plumbing inspection done. This will include a plumber sending a camera down the drain. He and you will be able to see the problem first hand. He will also be able to tell, with some degree of certainty where the pipes go. I know this is not cheep to do, but it will save you money in the long run.
Trust me on this I deal with problems like this daily.

[ginot912]

A truck would have to come out with a powerful hose.
probably costly but effective.

Gino

[fintstone]

Procon is right. Rent or call a professional with a large powered auger/snake. It will clean them ...or a good snaking followed by high pressure air or water jet.

[dhoward]

I showed my wife this thread.
She agreed a good snaking is in order.
See ya' later.

[peppy]

Cast iron pipes rust out. If the drain line is under a concrete floor, then the auger may have gone through the pipe and into the dirt or what ever is around the pipe.

I have seen floor drains do this, especially when someone put liquid fire in them.

[Normy]

Originally Posted by dhoward

I showed my wife this thread.
She agreed a good snaking is in order.
See ya' later.

I like the way you think-

N!

[Gogar]

+1 you need to get a camera in there to find out what's really going on. Whatever you do, don't start throwing money at an assumption. Just like car repair

[tonykillian72]

When doing repairs in plumbing in bathroom or sinks sometimes you need to retile them. Get good tiles from tilers warehouse Brendale for cheaper and better deals.