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Tomorrow I get to make a dreadful call to a plumbing company to setup a time for them to come out and try to clear a drain line from basement sink. I've attempted to plunge it but it's not budging. I don't have pipe wrenches to take this one apart at the trap. My current work around is using a shop vac to suck out water from sink and then dumping into toilet which is draining.

May have some other work done too that's coming due soon like hot water heater replacement as its usually more cost effective to do more.

Sadly this is one of those unexpected expenditures that's going to wipe out my previous plans to upgrade to a newer phone this year. Depending on the overall dent I may be cancelling my trip to TabConf too.

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Discussion

mark tyler 2y ago

You can totally take apart the P trap! Want guidance? Are you sure you need a tool? Many don’t. And even if you do, it’s likely much cheaper than the plumber’s visit

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

Can't undo with my hands. I've got a wrench that can fit and it moves a little but may end up breaking the trap. It's all metal and the house is like 70 years old

mark tyler 2y ago

Yeah, if it’s metal I wouldn’t worry a lot about it breaking. How long is your wrench? Support the side that goes into the wall and give it a easy going but firm twist. If it’s gunna break, then the plumber will probably break it and unless you’ve got a firm price before the job you’ll probably end up paying for the break either way. You could also try to break up the gunk with a drain snake.

You’ve probably checked this, but you don’t just have a bunch of hair in the drain stopper do you? Every time I’ve had drainage issues it was right there

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

My walls here are cinder block so not worried about damaging them like drywall.

I managed to get the trap off the sink and set it aside

mark tyler 2y ago

Nice! Was it the source of the blockage?

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

Negative. Was only small debris in the trap. Gotta be the horizontal pipe or more likely below.

What I do know is that draining the kitchen sink above causes water to back up in the basement sink.

mark tyler 2y ago

Ooo that’s a good insight. And less accessible on one’s own. The basement sink filling is a clue that the blockage is in a pipe that is common to both of them. Have you tried a drain snake? I’d use it from the bottom sink

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

I don't have a drain snake. That may be worth buying just to have on hand

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

Don't think I can get past the 90 degree turns here though. I kinda want that horizontal run replaced with PVC. While I doubt it's the ultimate cause of the problem I would not be surprised if it's severely corroded inside leaving little drainage

mark tyler 2y ago

It seems like we’ve gotten past the easier stuff.

I think I’d try the snake still, it should make it past the 90 degree bend, but also exactly how much you want to or have time to try before letting a pro handle it is an individual thing so I respect that.

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

I've got an appointment with a plumbing company coming tomorrow morning.

Crizzo 2y ago

Plumbers are too damn expensive, that's for sure.

annica 2y ago

Ya kinda it’s crap.

Owen 2y ago

As a plumber who works two jobs just to make ends meet I disagree.

Owen 2y ago

If you would like some advice on trying to fix this problem yourself feel free to reach out, there can be low costs solutions to many of these problems.

Ive got 20 years in the business.

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

Update...

Plumber is here now and I'm getting some old piping cut out, removed and replaced, new traps, reconnect, install new faucet.

Total damage.. about $3200.

Though it could go much higher if need to excavate drainage

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mark tyler 2y ago

Oooof sorry to hear that. Hopefully it’ll flow like the Amazon after though :)

Nice and Kind Vic 2y ago

I bought this place 15 years ago and spend on average 1100/year on assorted plumbing related repairs and upgrades.

The good news is I'm running out of these kinds of projects. The things left are

- underground drain line out to main drain waste line (this is the last major major project, I've already replaced the main line)

- kitchen renovation (though with today's work, the cost of that is partially reduced to the point I can do that part myself)

- replace hot water heater (it's now 12 years old so it's gonna be the next thing)

- I guess service line will be an issue at some point