Clogged Drain Lines
#1
01-18-01, 03:13 PM
I have been fighting drainage problems on the line that carries my washer machine waste and my kitchen sink. It seems like every 3-6 months I have to drag a snake up onto the roof to snake it out. The problem seems to getting closer and closer together. I beleive I have cast iron drains. I have tried Drano (and similar products). Nothing seems to work. I am tired of this problem and DO NOT want to pay a plumber to come out and do what I do already and charge 3x as much.
Though I am on a sewer system, someone suggested using Rid-X, or some similar product.
Any ideas, suggestions, comments? Any and all will be appreciated.
PS- there are no trees within the area of the drains.
Though I am on a sewer system, someone suggested using Rid-X, or some similar product.
Any ideas, suggestions, comments? Any and all will be appreciated.
PS- there are no trees within the area of the drains.
#2
01-18-01, 04:22 PM
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Don't waste your money on septic system additives like Rid-X, even if you had a septic system.
Drain cleaners, like Drano, are for solid clogs, and if the line is not completely clogged, the liquid will mostly flow past it, so they're not going to do you much good, either.
Snaking through the vents is one way, I suppose, if the snake is long enough and flexible enough, but it would be much better to snake from your clean-out plugs in the basement or crawlspace.
There ARE drain build-up removers, such as Drain Care, which are made to clear partially clogged drain lines. It is an enzyme product that I've used to open up sluggish drains. Works great. You just run warm water down each drain, pour in a certain amount, and let sit overnight.
Just follow directions on plastic 64 oz. jug. Should be able to find it a local big box, etc.
Good Luck!
Drain cleaners, like Drano, are for solid clogs, and if the line is not completely clogged, the liquid will mostly flow past it, so they're not going to do you much good, either.
Snaking through the vents is one way, I suppose, if the snake is long enough and flexible enough, but it would be much better to snake from your clean-out plugs in the basement or crawlspace.
There ARE drain build-up removers, such as Drain Care, which are made to clear partially clogged drain lines. It is an enzyme product that I've used to open up sluggish drains. Works great. You just run warm water down each drain, pour in a certain amount, and let sit overnight.
Just follow directions on plastic 64 oz. jug. Should be able to find it a local big box, etc.
Good Luck!
#3
01-18-01, 05:46 PM
Old Guy is right again, at least for as far as he went. If you are going to use some sort of drain cleaner, the ones with the enzymes are probably going to do a better job than the Draino or Liquid Plumber for solid clogs. If you are going to use a snake, use either a 1/2" or 5/8" snake, and go through a cleanout rather than the vent. Since your washer is on this drain, it should be a 2" line. The most permanent cure, of course, would be to replumb the drain with 2" ABS. This is assuming that it is indeed cast iron or galvanized pipe and your house is on a raised wood floor. If you're on a slab, you don't want to go there!
