Replies

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Dec 20, 2005 11:28pm | #1

    After hammering through about 2-3 feet of muck he stopped. My father-in-law installed a "Boca Valve" until a plumber can come by (January 6). The valve has only provided some help

   Really need more information, but it sounds like a clog drain if he is dring through black muck.

   Try pouring a gallon of bleach down the vent pipe, and let it sit several hours. Follow this with a water flush. If that doesn't open it up, rent a sewer cleaning machine, follow the directions, and snake the muck out. Be carefull, those things can be dangerous to use on a roof. The best option is to locate a cleanout or cut into the problem drain/vent and roto root it from inside the house.

   Thinking about it, a sewer cleaning service may give you quicker service than a plumber.

   You did not fill in your profile, so without knowing your location, some of these options may not be available in a small rural area.

   Hope this helps a little.

    

   Dave

    

2. 
   DanH | Dec 20, 2005 11:58pm | #2

   Probably a bird's nest, dead squirrel, and/or a bunch of leaves.

   Probably a drain auger would be a better choice to clear things than the pipe.

   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Dec 21, 2005 01:50am | #3

   I am thinking 10' of pipe hammered down the stack means he was past the vent tie in and into the waste line.

   We need to know more about the layout of the shower, washing machine, sinks etc., but your right a drain auger will likely clear either problem, vent or waste line.

    

   Dave 

1. 
   DanH | Dec 21, 2005 02:03am | #4

   Assuming that there's 5 feet of vent in the attic, and another 5 feet before you get to the first waste connection, ten feet probably is still in the vent.
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

1. 
   GretchenG | Dec 21, 2005 03:40pm | #5

   Thanks for the information so far . . . for more information on the vent - We have a one story house. From the roof to the sewer line in the basement (where the vent attaches to the sewer line) its is about 14'. My husband figured that the blockage started about 8' down the pipe and (according to the muck on the pipe he used) was a solid 2+' deep before he gave up hammering.Regarding the layout of sinks/drains - we have a small house (1000sq'), so everything is pretty close. The vent is at one end of the main sewer pipe (in the basement), 18" down the kitchen sink connects, 4' further the shower, bathroom sink, and then the toilet. In total from vent to foundation exit, the pipe is about 6-7 feet long. The washing machine drains into a pipe that is attached to the laundry sink and enters the sewer pipe just above where the pipe goes through the foundation. The vent is the only part of the plumbing that is original to the house (1930). The rest of the plumbing was replaced about 1993 (according to the pipe stamps).Also, if it makes a difference, the county replaced our sewer line connection about 3 years ago because of tree roots. The section of the line we are responsible for was clear.There is a clean out on the vent just before it attaches to the "main pipe" in the basement. I suggested that my husband try opening that to try to clean it out, but I think he is afraid of what might come out and hit him! Its also over the oil tank, so a little hard to get to.Is a "drain auger" really stiff. We have a "plumber's helper" but it bends and I can't imagine it biting into whatever is blocking the pipe. Is the auger rigid like a big drill bit?Hope this helps. - Gretchen

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Dec 21, 2005 05:11pm | #6

   Your plumber's helper is most likely a 1/4 or 5/16" spring steel snake. It is a little small for a 3" vent or waste line. When it hit a substantial blockage it will twist back on itself and form a knot that is sometimes hard to remove .

   A drain auger or sewer cleaner is a power operated, much larger version, of you plumber's helper. The auger itself is 3/4 to 1" diameter, comes in 6' to 10' sections that connect to each other, and will have several different heads that can attach to the end. The larger machines are heavy, powerful and can be dangerous to the novice operator. Smaller machines with 3/8 and 1/2" cables are available, but may not be large enough to clear a major blockage. The danger in operating any of these powered machines is that can seize a gloved hand or backlash and ensnarl the users hand. Not good at the torque these things produce (this is the voice of experience)! If you rent one, be sure to ask for the mittens that are designed for handing the cable while it is spinning. They should come with the machine, but are sometimes omitted.

   Operating a sewer auger from the roof down should be left to a professional, with safety being the foremost reason. The second is that the auger does not always take the intended path if there are multiple vents that tie into the main stack. An experienced pro can feel the snake make its' way around bends, through tees and into a clog.

   No matter who operates the snake, the job is nasty. They are going to get that black muck on them and sometime all over the work area. It is just plain old nasty, stinky work, but a $40 to $60 rental fee and clean up is sometimes more bearable than a $150 to $200+ plumbers bill.

   Use the cleanout if you can get it out and do it yourself. If you can't get it out come back here and tell us what you tried. We will talk you through the various ways to accomplish the task. BTW try getting it out before you rent the sewer auger.

   Sounds like Hubby is resourcefully and could doe this job.

    

   Dave

2. 
   GretchenG | Dec 21, 2005 07:46pm | #7

   Thank you for the advice. I will post again to let you know the outcome.Gretchen