How to open up T-shape clogged drain pipe?

Question

I have a two-unit apartments. The two apartments are side by side. Their kitchens are next to each other separated by a wall. The two kitchen sinks are connected by a T-shape drain pipe.  The T-shape drain pipe is clogged. I tried to unclog it with a 30-foot snake.  But the snake went from one apartment to the other apartment, but unable to get into the bottom part of the T-shape. I think the top of T-shape is flat. If it is a Y-shape, snake should be able to get into the bottom pipe.  I have also poured a large bottle of Drano into the pipe.  But no luck.  Besides opening the wall, is there any other way to solve the problem? BTW, the pipes are all buried in concrete wall. If I have to open the wall, is there a good way to do so. Please advise. Thank you!

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Ting Liu hire Roto Rooter to come in and fix it. They have better tools and skills than you do. They can use a bladder to plug the other side as Wayne mentioned. Whether it is Roto Rooter or someone else, get a company that only does drain clean out. A standard plumber may suggest tearing the wall open because they don't specialize in auger techniques. Roto Rooter may also put a camera in there to get a better idea what they are facing.

Keep in mind depending on age of the property, this could be rusted closed steel pipes. That type of issue may keep recurring and you may be forced to cut open walls to replace.

I would not start cutting open walls without someone putting a camera in the line to see what is going on. I assume there is no way to come up from the bottom on the clog? Even if you had to cut a section of pipe out, that is easy to repair if you have access. That seem obvious so I assume it is buried or encased in cement below too.

Scott Mac · Answer

Hi Ting,

Maybe try going outside and coming backwards at it through the outside clean out.

Be aware that some apartments have a device in the sewer line that prevents backflow into the other apartment--be careful to not destroy this.

Some of them (not all) look like this.

Good Luck!

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

This may only work for a bit, but you can try plugging both sinks and filling them with hot tap water. Once they are both completely full pull the plugs and between the hot water softening things, and the pressure of the water sometimes that will push things through.

The other thought, is you go under and disconnect the tail piece on one drain (either side doesn't matter) and see if snaking directly into the tail piece allows you to 'guide' the snake down instead of across to the other unit.

Ting Liu · Answer

Thanks Eric! There is only one vent on roof that is shared by the two apartments. Except the kitchen sinks, everything else works, toilet, bathtub, and bathroom sink. We also tried to run the snake down from the roof vent. It was two-story roof. We ran full 30-foot snake down. But it didn't work either.

Ting Liu · Answer

Eventually I called Roto Rooter for service.  Their technician was not able to unclog it either. Well, their suggestion was to cut the wall open to install an access point.  Before doing that, I took a chance to use Kinetic Water Ram again. I did do something different this time. I bought a drain plug to completely close up the kitchen drain of one side. And shoot high pressure air into the other side's kitchen drain. Tried 5 or 6 times and increased the air pressure to 40psi. Surprisingly, it unclogged the drain.  I think the key is to close up drain line of one side. Then the air pressure has nowhere to go but to push through the clogging point. Thank you all for help! Happy Memorial Day!

Eric James · Answer

Would it be possible to out the snake down from the top of the vent pipe above?

Ting Liu · Answer

Thank you all for your replies! Many great suggestion.  I will have plenty to try out.  Will keep you updated. Have a nice weekend!

Millard Klein · Answer

@Ting Liu do you know how the 2 drains get the water out of the apartment? There might be a panel hidden in one of the apartment closets that gives you access to the main pipe that is capped that drains the shower and the sinks. This panel might be in the closet on the other side of the tub and shower. Get a licensed plumber to do this for you. If you open the cap to access the main drain pipe and don’t know what your doing you could have a big mess.

I had a problem like you are describing and that is how it was fixed.

Ting Liu · Answer

Thanks Wayne! I tried with Kinetic Water Ram.  The water went down for a while. Then it clogged again.  I tried the water ram again and again. There was no luck.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

If you can get an air compressor....they sell plug kits do you can plug the pipes in the other kitchen, and the vent stack if it is between you and the clog, and blow it iut with sir b

How to open up T-shape clogged drain pipe?

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