 | Clogged Kitchen Drain |
|
|
Question: My kitchen sink does not drain and I promised my wife that a plumber will be called in 1-more day if I can't fix it. I tried everything that I know to clear it. I removed the U-trap and snaked (it cleared two 90-degree bends, but I ruined the $5 snake at about 3-4 feet). I tried some serious plunging. I tried liquid plumber. I tried an overnight enzyme product. Here are the vitals: * My sink is dual with a garbage disposal on the right. Both sides seem to empty into the same drain pipe (the left side is joined a few inches above the left side). Both sides are clogged and water rises to the same level in each half. * Running the garbage disposal in the right half will remove a full sink of water within 15-seconds (as long as I close the drain in the left half of the sink and hold it down to keep the water from rising). * If I do not run the disposal, water does not drain. Even overnight and starting with an empty sink, the disposal still contained 2" of standing water. * Two drain pipes go up toward the kitchen sink from the basement. I don't know why there are two. Only one seems to be used. There is a window above the sink, so neither can go very far. * I am guessing that the kitchen sink empties into the RIGHT pipe (which, after a few zig-zags, is a straight shot to the basement floor). A basement sink, directly below the kitchen sink, is joined to the LEFT pipe. Below that joint, the LEFT pipe empties into the RIGHT pipe. * The basement sink drains just fine, although I can force water to back-up into it if I run the disposal long enough or plunge hard.
Answer: You *might* try one of those inflating balloon uncloggers which attach to a garden hose. But...(caveat emptor), they have the potential for making a big mess, plus you don't know for sure if the sink drain is vented; if it is, there could be a flood. The alternative is to rent a pro snake. A good hand-held power drain cleaner should work. Cutting the pipe in the basement (galv iron, cast iron, PVC??) is another possibility to give better access.
|
 |
|
| |
Submit Your Question
Home