Plumbing Problems

[Randy (SELA)]

We're having some plumbing trouble in a SFH rental. The problem is that it drains most of the time, but will back up when too much water goes thru at once, i.e. doing laundry. The plumber has cleaned the line all the way to the street. Could clogged vent pipes cause this. Anyone had this problem before? What's the best way to clean the vent pipes?

[Dan Auito]

I'd try a bottle of draino followed by a high pressure power washer flush from the top down Randy.

We're on septic here so we just divert gray water into the woods here, no problems ever!

[Debbie]

Rid-X seem to work best for us.

[mike_mn]

I think you are on the right track. If a slow steady bucket drains just fine, but a full bucket dump goes slow, the vent is likely clogged or non-existant if it is an extremely old house.

It also could be the drain itself. If it is a laundry tub that is backing up, is the drain restricted in anyway including a laundry tub strainer? I had to remove my drain strainer for the same problem, not plugged, just too slow of flow.

Not sure how to clean vent pipes...call the plumber?

[Dan Auito]

Vent pipes run from the roof down, crawl on up and blast the line!

[Randy (SELA)]

Aldo, no strainer, it's a straight shot

Dan, with what? Air or water? That won't screw something else up?

[Dan Auito]

Randy, check to see if the vent pipe has a drain cap at the bottom (In your crawlspace) Odds are it probably won't due to the fact that below the toilet level it would drain as if it were one of the fixtures.

As far as screwing something up, it's only water/slash draino and the plumbing is made for it.

[StepUp]

There could still be a problem with the drain line. There could be a low spot in the line. Many plumbing outfits have cameras they send down the line that can easily diagnose this, or many other, problems.

Eric

[Aldo]

StepUp offered a great, but expensive, suggestion that should be used as a last resort. I still suspect the vent pipe. Pumping air or water through it won't fix it. A (drain) snake probably will.

Here's another thought before crawling up on the roof with a snake. If there is a low or horizontal waste line, try pouring a pint of sulphuric acid into the lowest slow drain. Sulphuric acid is sold (as a drain cleaner) in plastic bottles because plastic is one of the few things it will not damage or disolve. It's totally safe for both metal and plastic waste lines, but not for humans. Most hardware stores carry it, but you have to ask for it or they'll refer you to Draino.

Lemme know if this interests you and I'll offer some tips on using it.

[Dan Auito]

I was thinking the snake would be the last resort. They do have smaller hand held snakes that could be used with less effort than the monster units.

Fiber optic scoping is a minimum of $75 bucks down here, so I'd wait until the cheaper efforts are exhausted first!

[Randy (SELA)]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We've tried an acid from the plumbing store. This house is on a slab, but it's about 40 yrs old and the vent pipes have probly never been cleaned. It also sits under a nice live oak tree. I'll post the answer to this mystery soon.

[Dan Auito]

Your probably looking at a cracked crock brother, those Oak roots get in and play all kinds of fun with the refuse!

[Randy (SELA)]

Could be. But the line has been cleaned from the house to the street. Would have hit them if they were there.

[TommyOH]

If it's an old house, it probably has the old clay based drains underground. They can be cracked by tree roots, and allow dirt and other sediment to fall in, and there may not be any part of the root inside the drain. You can clean it out, and it will clog right back up.

Look at the yard carefully. Between the house and the street, where the line runs, is there and low spots in the grass? Even just a little dip can tell you that the dirt underneath is settling.

Just something to watch for. Been there once or twice ;)

[Randy (SELA)]

Well, if you want something done right, sometimes you gotta call the plumber. I'll let ya'll know what he finds out.

[Randy (SELA)]

After further review, the answer is ....... feminine items that should not be flushed down the toilet. What a pain in the you know what.

[Debbie]

After further review, the answer is ....... feminine items that should not be flushed down the toilet.

Which feminine product?

Fake nails?
Rouge brush?
Fake eyelashes?
Tube of lipstick?
Small can of hairspray?
Body pierce jewelries?

:SM083:

[Randy (SELA)]

You're close. Tampons and kotex

[Dan Auito]

Another line item to have checked off in your rental agreement I would guess!

[Aldo]

If it doesn't come from inside of the body, it should never be placed in the (toilet) bowl. My teni have seven days from move-in to report defects in their unit. After that, anything that goes wrong is their fault (with obvious exceptions).

This reply is intended to address recent replies; however, methinks we should direct future replies to Randy's specific issue.

[Randy (SELA)]

Wow, that is an excellent policy that I will be sure to use from now on. Being the nice guy that I am, I might even make it 2 weeks. Thanks Aldo!