Hey everyone, I'm a 25-year-old female living with my mom, brother, and a roommate. We've been dealing with a blocked kitchen sink for a few years now, and we suspect that the contractors we hired might have accidentally poured plaster down the drains. As a result, any food residue or sauce from our plates tends to clog the sink, preventing it from draining properly. We've checked the pipes ourselves and done some experiments to see if we can dislodge whatever's causing the blockage, but nothing seems to work. I tried hot water, dish soap, and vinegar today, but it still took about 15-20 minutes for the water to drain. We've had plumbers look at it, and they've suggested replacing the pipes, but that's way too costly and disruptive for us. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
6 Answers
Replacing the drain pipes by yourself can save you a ton of money if you’re willing to give it a shot! It’s actually not as hard as it sounds; you’ll just need some basic tools. However, it really depends on where the blockage is located.
Have you tried boiling a good amount of water (around 2-3 quarts) and adding baking soda with dish soap? Sometimes you might need to repeat that process a few times to really get through the blockage.
I’ve given that a shot multiple times over the years, but no luck. It just won’t budge!
Hey there! If you haven’t done this already, you might want to consider getting a company out to camera the line. This way, you can find out exactly what’s blocking your drain and tackle it from there. It’s really helpful to know what you’re dealing with before making any big decisions!
Was looking for this comment! A camera will really help you nail down the issue.
Do you have an estimate on what that usually costs? I’m located in California.
To really get a clear idea of what’s going on, consider using an endoscope to see what’s blocking it. It might provide a better insight before you decide on any major repairs.
Honestly, if you can, talking to professionals about replacing the pipes could be worth it. But I totally get that it’s a couple hundred to a thousand bucks that most people just can’t spare.
I think it’s too deep into the line for us to access easily without professional tools. My mom’s husband, who has plumbing experience, confirmed it’s not the pipes under the sink. Renting a snaking tool might be an option, but I’m short on cash right now.