Stubborn kitchen sink clog

[masraum]

We've got a very stubborn clog in the kitchen sink. I've got what I think is a 20' or 25' manual drum auger. I've run all but about 1.5-2' of that down the pipe (pulled the p-trap). Stupid thing drains slower now that when I started. I'm guessing a knocked a bunch of crud loose that is now at the clog making it worse.. The missus got a bottle of liquid plumber. I've never seen that work, but figured for a few bucks, it was worth a shot. I'm guessing that I'll be calling a plumber in the morning so he can come out with a longer drum auger that's run by a drill. We've never had a clog in the kitchen sink in over 15 years.

Any ideas?

[look 171]

Grease and everything else I bet. I don't know what this stuff is called ( really hard to find around now), but its an acid base liquid you pour down the drain. It heats up the pipes to the point where you can't touch it. It just burns off everything in there including the grease (cause of your problem more then likely) and run water water for 15 minutes to clear it up. It still might be available in Texas. I will try to look for it and get back to you.

[look 171]

Get hold of this stuff is you can. it works. Super Pro Acid | Thrift Marketing, Inc.

[masraum]

95% Sulfuric Acid. Sheesh, sounds like it could eat right through the pipes!

[look 171]

sounds like you are a little late for this. Best thing is to run a snake through it. Do you have Metal pipes or ABS? I pour these chemicals through my system for maintenance once every few years just to keep it clear.

[sc_rufctr]

There's a rubber attachment for your garden hose available.

I'm not sure were you'd find it in the US but basically it looks like a long rubber bell.
You snap it onto your house and it seals around the plug hole and blast away.

It's brilliant and I've unclogged some nasty drains with it. No chemicals or acid needed.

Also... Be careful if you have a double sink because you'll spray water onto the ceiling above

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

sounds like you are a little late for this. Best thing is to run a snake through it. Do you have Metal pipes or ABS? I pour these chemicals through my system for maintenance once every few years just to keep it clear.

I ran a snake through it. I think my snake is 20 or 25' and I ran all but about 1.5-2' of it into the pipes.

We've got cast iron pipe in the house.

Yeah, I suspect it's a bit late, especially since I'd have to spend a bunch of time looking for it tomorrow. I'll try to get the plumber first thing. If he can't come for several hours, I may try looking for the stuff.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

There's a rubber attachment for your garden hose available.

I'm not sure were you'd find it in the US but basically it looks like a long rubber bell.
You snap it onto your house and it seals around the plug hole and blast away.

It's brilliant and I've unclogged some nasty drains with it. No chemicals or acid needed.

Also... Be careful if you have a double sink because you'll spray water onto the ceiling above

Yeah, I've got a double sink so even trying to use a plunger is moderately useful. I think I've seen or heard of those before.

Thanks

[Bill Douglas]

What's worked for me a few times is to get a wire coat hanger and make it into a straight length with a 10mm hook on the end. Shove it down the pipe where you have taken the s-trap off and when you meet some resitance twist it as you push it then pull it out - hopefully pulling out the blockage with the hook. It's bendy enough to make it around corners and if it gets stuck you can always forcefully yank it back out.

[KFC911]

IMO, a longer auger, rented or via a pro is what you will eventually end up needing. I've got a manual 25'er that I've used many times on rentals, etc., but occasionally to no avail. Then I call a pro, and they (using a powered, longer one) typically dislodge something WAY on down the line. Once I've done what you've already done...I'm calling a pro (which I certainly am NOT)...you'll never see one of them use any of the suggestions (or similar) already offered that only clear a minor clog imo...YMMV.

ps: On the couple of times I've needed to call a pro, any other attempt that "I" would have made would have been futile anyways....those ended up being "objects", not buildup etc. Good luck!

[widgeon13]

If you are going out 20' to 25' you are most likely into the 6" drain pipe going to the septic. Do you have a septic tank and has it been pumped recently or are you on sewer system? A plumber can come in w/ high pressure line and clean that out nicely, think you will need more than Drano! Is the rest of your plumbing draining slowly as well?

Good luck.

[masraum]

We are not on a septic tank. The rest of the house seems fine. We took showers last night after I dicked around with the clog for an hour.

[masraum]

The plumber should be out within the hour.

[widgeon13]

Could be that roots have inundated the sewer pipe.

Never a dull moment!

[911 Rod]

I had the Rowter Router guy (or whatever they are called) come out to my place and he ran a line with a camera to look for a problem. Pretty cool. He even ran it out the vent pipes so we could see outside. It was only $150 and kept me from digging up the yard.

[Aragorn]

Could be that the plug is further down the line than you can reach with non-pro tools.
Possibilty (dependent on the age of your house) that it could be caused by orangeburg pipe:

Orangeburg pipe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Could be a vent:

How do you open a clogged plumbing air vent to a kitchen sink?

Good idea to call in a pro. Hope it turns out to be something simple.

[masraum]

I don't know where the 20' of auger/snake went, but the guy was at the house about 30 minutes. He went straight to the clean-out on the exterior wall of the kitchen. The cap had probably been in there since 1967. He pulled that out and the clog was about 1-2' in. Drains fast and easy now. That was a quick $200.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by masraum

I don't know where the 20' of auger/snake went, but the guy was at the house about 30 minutes. ....

. That was a quick $200.

Came back inside to chanage into shorts and checked in... it got TOASTY quick outside!

I reckon things really are bigger in Texas...including plumber's bills

That'd have been less than $100 for me here....OUCH!!!

[JavaBrewer]

We had a similar clog in our master bath. Clog affected the tub and sinks. After unsuccessfully trying to clear it myself I called a plumber who advertised clog clearing for $50. He ran his 25' power snake and got nothing. Went back for his 100' tool which cleared it right out. $65 total bill. He was there 30 minutes tops.

If/when possible avoid the 'emergency' plumber companies who provide 24/7 service. They get really spendy. I found my guy on Craigs list and he was able to come by the next day.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Could be that the plug is further down the line than you can reach with non-pro tools.
Possibilty (dependent on the age of your house) that it could be caused by orangeburg pipe

Ran into this problem a few months ago.
Got a 50' manual snake from Lowes late night just before closing, but the clog was past that.
The next day Rotorooter snaked, scoped, and found a bubble only thankfully.

Orangeburg is a plague around here.
Common in new neighborhoods in the 1950s-60s when 'materials were scarce' whatever that means.
It was quick and cheap and got the job completed.
IIRC, it was allowed by this state but not by the city for some odd reason, and was supposed to be encased in concrete as per city inspectors. Very few were.

If you do have Orangeburg, look into the 'pipe-bursting' method:
They dig a hole in the basement, one in the street, and pull the new pipe through the old using a cutting bit.
Less mess than trenching to the street.