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Colorado_Outback
09-27-2011, 08:28
We recently bought a house in Springs, the problem is with the kitchen sink. When you turn the water on full it starts to back up into the sink after about 2-3min. I borrowed a 25ft sink snake from my dad and snaked it out the other day and it still has the same problem.

Someone redid the plumbing under there fairly recently and the first thing I noticed was a vent cap thing plumbed in. Its the black line behind the white trap.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6188512503_05225ddd08_z.jpg

Here is what it looks like below the floor, the line gets a lot bigger just behind the wall.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6188513375_96a7412fa9_z.jpg

My guess is that its improperly vented, but I just dont know enough about plumbing.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

tmleadr03
09-27-2011, 09:42
Contact EvilRhino. He is an excellent plumber and honest to boot.

BPTactical
09-27-2011, 09:46
Not a plumber but have done a good bit of it. Logic would dictate that the vent MUST be higher than the bottom of the sink. It seems that the water will run fine until the level of it in the drainpipe approaches the vent height, then it slows down.
Just a guess.
If you want both of my BIL's are drain cleaners. PM me your contact info and I will have the BIL give you a call.

JohnTRourke
09-27-2011, 09:47
25' probably isn't long enough
2 to 3 minutes probably gets to the plug and then it probably stops

have it professionally roto-rooted

you'll have to start there anyway. (or start from that access plug in the bottom (at the 45) and go there, that should gain you 5 to 10 feet or so.

Colorado_Outback
09-27-2011, 10:21
The vent is way up between the sinks, as high as it could be.

Ill move all that stuff and snake it from the bottom plug, 25ft from there should put me well into the alley.

StagLefty
09-27-2011, 12:15
Just my .02 but I think your on the right track by starting at that bottom plug. You'll also be able to determine where the obstruction might be from that point. Good Luck [Beer]

Colorado_Outback
09-27-2011, 13:13
Well the baby took a decent nap so I got some time to snake it out from the bottom plug, pushed the snake almost 20 ft witch should put me way off my property.
Didnt get much out of the trap, but the death smell..

It bubbles occasionally when its attempting to drain so im still thinking improper vent action.

Gonna try and do some detective work and try to find the original vent stack in the kitchen.

Thanks for the reply's!

JohnTRourke
09-27-2011, 15:18
is it an old house? (1970's or earlier)

cofi
09-27-2011, 15:33
is it an old house? (1970's or earlier)


i think his house was built in the 40s

JohnTRourke
09-27-2011, 16:25
built in the 40's? then it's clay tiles from the house to the street.

they break up and stop the drain from moving
Get a rotorooter/drain guy with a video camera set up (most of them have it now, about $150-$200) and have them video it and see if the clay tiles are all busted up.

any low spots in the yard where the sewer line runs?

is it only the sink that runs slow or does everything in the house run slow?

Colorado_Outback
09-27-2011, 16:34
The house was built in 49.

The previous owner had a bunch of plumbing done along with a video scope, the dvd is in the safe, though I have never watched it guess its time to bust it out.

Its only this sink that has a problem, thats why I keep going back to that awkward vent setup.

Marlin
09-27-2011, 16:50
Yeah, if that vent doesn't tie into the original at some point. or go all the way out on it's own. it will give you problems.

JohnTRourke
09-27-2011, 17:04
The house was built in 49.

The previous owner had a bunch of plumbing done along with a video scope, the dvd is in the safe, though I have never watched it guess its time to bust it out.

Its only this sink that has a problem, thats why I keep going back to that awkward vent setup.

yeah, if it's only that sink, it's probably not the main drain line
but yes, you should watch it.

SideShow Bob
09-27-2011, 18:02
Marlin is on the right track, the vent under the sink should tie into the plumbing vent that goes out your roof. if it does not , it will build up a vacuum as it drains causing it to slow down. Also it vents sewer gas from building up pressure and pushing back past the j trap and out into the sink.

I am not a plumber, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.

Wulf202
09-27-2011, 18:11
Marlin is on the right track, the vent under the sink should tie into the plumbing vent that goes out your roof. if it does not , it will build up a vacuum as it drains causing it to slow down. Also it vents sewer gas from building up pressure and pushing back past the j trap and out into the sink.



This

M2MG
09-27-2011, 18:34
a plumber needs to know 3 things

1 hot is on the left

2 $hit runs down hill

3 payday is on friday

m2mg

Colorado_Outback
09-27-2011, 18:40
Marlin is on the right track, the vent under the sink should tie into the plumbing vent that goes out your roof. if it does not , it will build up a vacuum as it drains causing it to slow down. Also it vents sewer gas from building up pressure and pushing back past the j trap and out into the sink.

I am not a plumber, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.

There is a one way valve on top of that black abs stack in the first pic. So no sewer gas coming inside but I still have the slow drain problem so something isnt setup right.

I found the vent stack/old drain in the wall, its folded over and pounded flat down below.

So I guess I need to pay someone to come look at it and figure out if I can tie in to the original stack or run a new one or what..