Please help,

I have a house that was built in 1922. The bathroom drains on the ground floor and 2nd floor are very slow. I've tried plundging them and have called a professional drain cleaner. He told me that my drains are old and need to be replaced. I can't imagine that after 75 years I need to replace all my drain lines.

Does any one have any comments? Can anyone know what the problem is? Any ideas for a solution?

John

 

After 75 years, he may be right.
However, try a couple of things first.
A. Use a good drain/trap enzyme sludge remover like DrainCare in all of your drains. Just follow directions. This stuff works great to open up sluggish drains. (Don't use Drano-type caustic drain cleaners. Those are to remove solid clogs only.)
B. Either Roto-Rooter the outside line (find a pro drain cleaning firm that has video inspection to really let you know what you're dealing with) or get some copper sulphate to kill roots that may have invaded your line from the house to the sewer or septic system. It is inexpensive, comes in 3-lb bags (a blue crystal), and you can flush about a half-pound down about 3 times a year to kill those hairlike rootballs that can clog up outside drain lines.
If all else fails, then you may have to begin replacing your drainlines in stages(sometimes you find a bottleneck, and that clears up the problem).
I'm not a plumber, but there are some good pro ones in here that may have other suggestions.
Good Luck!

 

I agree with everything Old Guy said, but I have one more recommendation. Check to make sure your vent is not plugged or partially plugged. If your drain system cannot get air to replace the water that is draining away, it will be very slow to drain. Kinda like holding your finger over the end of a straw full of water. You need to make sure the top of the straw doesn't have any fingers over it! I'd start by running a snake through the roof vents, from the roof down. Sometime these vents get clogged with dead birds, bird nests, hornet nests, etc.

Good luck,

Rick

 

just a comment. after 75 years what doesn't need replacing. sell the house and buy a new one so you can bother us with problems that we can help you with.

 

c'mon there Henry, be nice

 

C. As arkay said, also check the vent pipes sticking up out of your roof. (I should have included that, too.) You might try flushing all with a water hose first, and then use a plumber's snake to break up clogs, then flush, if that doesn't seem to help. A combination of trying all three things might just solve your problem.
You never know.
A 1922 drain system, which is probably old cast iron pipe (rust/flakes can clog insides at traps and bends), and possibly old terra cotta (clay) outside drain lines (can deteriorate and crack/collapse)are pretty long-of-leg. Give it all a shot.
Good Luck!