But just to see what you guys think could be going on
The houses all the drains are draining slowly and if at all. THe toilet was working fine then just got clogged up. The bath tub strangely enough filled with water.
Could it be something with the sewage vacuum or something like that? A friend of mine mentioned something about it.
Bassically the toilet and bathtub are not draining at all and the kitchen sinks are draining slower than normal.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
19y
Always remember....water runs downhill.
If water is rising in the tub, the blockage is below that point, and any water run into the drain stack above that point (such as a second floor bathroom) will raise the level in the tub. If you are on a single level with nothing above, then the water from the toilet bowl is still higher than the tub drain, and will raise the level. Your kitchen sink is also higher, so depending on how the pipes are run, water draining from the kitchen could also raise the level in the tub, although this is much less likely, as these lines are generally separated.
If all drains are running slow, they may just have partial blockages at each trap if they have not been cleared in a long time. Pull the traps and run a hose into the fitting at the wall to see if it drains well from there. If the traps are clear, then you MAY be due to have your plumber run a "cutter" through the lines to get them opened back up for the long term. Usually, the best bet to do that is to remove the toilet and run from there, unless you have adequate clean-out access plugs available.
If your problems are on the lowermost floor, you could easily have issues with your main out to the street or septic tank. Roots of all kinds can get into the system, or you might find you have offset drain tiles if there has been "settling" of the ground or it's an old system. The lines do also just get blocked over time with buildups of grease and soapsuds. For the kitchen drain, you should pour a pot of boiling water down every couple of months to prevent grease buildup.
If your problems have been ongoing, it may be a good idea to have them run a camera through the line to actually see what the issues are.
Thanks. We have some sort of vavle or something out in the front. The guy who owned the house before me told me he has had to run a snake down it to clean it out. Says roots from the tree mess with it or something.
Yeah I got an idea of what you mean. The toilet flushed then I tried it again and it clogged back up. The tub is empty now. So I poured a little water down it to see if it could help. and the toilet bubble lol.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
19y
This sounds like a clog in the main line. The "valve" you mention in the yard is probably a cleanout. It will be a length of pipe that comes up just below ground level with a plug. Remove the plug, and you can put a cutter down the line to thoroughly clean it out. Jaming a snake down may help, but won't be nearly as thorough as a rotating cutter.
If you poke around the one cleanout you've found, you may find another. Ideally, there will be two, and the two will make a big U where they attach to the main line. The one near the house will turn away from the house where it enters the main line, and you use this one to clear the line from the cleanouts to the city tap. The one further away from the house will turn toward the house, and you use this to clear the line up to the house. If there really is only one, it may have two turns, one each way.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
19y
Don't know about borrowing, but you can probably rent one. Google "sewer auger" or "mini rooter" and you'll find them. You want the one that has a coil of cable and a motor, not the short hand powerd ones. Check local rental houses if HD doesn't have it. "Rentals" in the yellow pages.
A plumber or drain cleaner will have these, too. Call around and see how much they will charge to do the job. Once you're seen it done, you'll have a better idea how the process works.
I got my uncle (a plumber) he came over and got out this long thing of coiled cord with a spear head at the end. Hooked it up to a motor and periodically we would flushed the toilet or something and we got a big ole root out.
He was telling me, depending on the severity I might need to get the line to the house replaced with pvc pipe. Says it could be sold cast iron pipe that has cracked.
But anyways it was something new to learn and I have it fixed for now.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
19y
If you have roots in the line, you will have an ongoing problem. I fought with this for several years before biting the bullet and replacing the line. You might want to get a sewer person to run a camera through the line and see what's really doing on. That will give you a better idea of how bad the problem is, what type of pipe you have and if there are other problems. In additon to roots, we had several "bellies" or low spots that would collect "stuff".
Do get multiple bids on a replacement. Ours ranged from $3500 to $9800 for about 100'. We went with a company that charged $4000, but took care of the hard and cleaned up neatly.
Real Estate Investor · London · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 74 votes
19y
Originally posted by "Wheatie":
If you have roots in the line, you will have an ongoing problem. I fought with this for several years before biting the bullet and replacing the line.
Jon,
I have never had to deal with this so I do not know what I do not know on this topic.
If the line is replaced why are the roots not an issue in the future? Are we talking about a pipe without seems or sections so fewer places for the roots to enter? Or is the problem with the old pipe mostly because they crack or otherwise wear out over time so need replacing?
I was told once that the root seek out water and they find water in the pipe so that is where they head.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
19y
The roots find water leaking from cracks or gaps in the pipe. Roots won't drill through solid pipe. Clay pipe seems to be the most troublesome. It comes in sections with a bell on one end. They're fitted together with cement, as in portland cement and sand. When the ground shifts or sags, the cement cracks, the pipes leak, and roots get it. New PVC pipe get cemented with PVC cement, making a leakproof bond. The sections are much longer, so fewer joints to leak, too. No leaks means no roots.
Jon
Real Estate Investor · London · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 74 votes
19y
Originally posted by "Wheatie":
The roots find water leaking from cracks or gaps in the pipe. Roots won't drill through solid pipe. Clay pipe seems to be the most troublesome. It comes in sections with a bell on one end. They're fitted together with cement, as in portland cement and sand. When the ground shifts or sags, the cement cracks, the pipes leak, and roots get it. New PVC pipe get cemented with PVC cement, making a leakproof bond. The sections are much longer, so fewer joints to leak, too. No leaks means no roots.
Jon
Jon,
Thanks.
That is what I was guessing (fewer joints than clay pipes).
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
19y
Pretty much any of the guys who replace lines or clean sewers can do the camera job. I'd ask the one you might go with for the replacement to run the camera. They will charge you, but will then give you credit against the replacement job.