Hey everyone! I'm completely new to plumbing, and I'm dealing with a big mess in my kitchen. My sink got clogged, so I ended up replacing all the parts to see if that would help. After experimenting, I discovered that the blockage is in the drain pipe under the house. I had thought that my washing machine's drain was working fine, but after changing parts, now both are clogged! The kitchen has flooded with water, and my mom refuses to use any drain cleaners. I even tried a DIY cleaner with baking soda, vinegar, and salt but that didn't do anything. I also attempted to clear out the manholes, but no luck there either. I live in a rural area without any plumbing services nearby, so I really need your advice to tackle this issue. Thank you so much!
3 Answers
You might want to try using a drain snake (or auger). It’s a long flexible tool that can get through bends in the pipes and reach the blockage. There are some great YouTube videos that can show you how to use it effectively. It could save you from more flooding!
It seems like you’re on the right track, but replacing all those parts might not have been necessary. You mentioned the blockage is under the house; try checking if there’s a manhole cover to inspect that area. If not, you can try snaking back towards the house. If the blockage is deeper down the line, it could be more complicated. Sometimes, using a hose with a nozzle can help push through a blockage, but be careful not to shove it in too far and create new problems.
I used the 5m snake in both drain pipes but still no luck. I ended up replacing the parts because they were leaking. I think there are two manholes I need to check—one is full of black water and one is empty. I tried using pressured water on the empty one, but it only brought up grease. Should I really consider using a drain cleaner?
Since you live in a rural area, it might be worth checking if your septic tank is full rather than just the drain. That could explain the clogging issues you’re experiencing. If that’s the case, you might need to have it pumped out to solve the problem once and for all.
I did try using the drain snake in both pipes, but it still didn't clear the clog. I even have a 5m one with a handle. Do you think I should go ahead and try a drain cleaner? Mom is worried it might break the pipes, and I’ve already tried pretty much everything from Google.