Sink Clog

[twasion]

For plumbing questions try this site.

http://www.plbg.com/forum/list.php?1

[dgagne1]

When you snaked the drain, was it a hand held, hand turned small auger type, with grease in the line sometimes it will just screw thru it and reseal on the way back. I would remove the trap completly and rent a small drill powered snake with a cutter head, not a screw type head. Using two containers of acid is to aggressive, if it doesn't clean it can harden and make things worse. If you snaked thru the trap I would have to think the auger was to small. Places like united rental would have a Ridgid drill snake for like $20.00 per day. They usually are variable speed, go very slow...

[Andrew Way]

Dirtydishes,
Did any remodeling include tile work? Maybe thinset or grout got put in the kitchen sink but was not flushed out completely. Once it hardened it is now catching anything and everything that has been put in the drain.

From your description of what you found when you snaked, it sounds like the folks before you took the term garbage disposal too literally.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Call a plumber!

I hate to be a stick in the mud guys but I have stayed away from giving advice on this and in Particular this case .
You Do not know how much tallent this person has he is not a NACHI member and while it sure is nice to try and help some one you should know that some of the drain liquids are very caustic and if some body gets burned or worse ,
This could come back to haunt those who have tried to help big time .
I have to agree with what Raymond said . Call a plumber.
Roy Cooke

[dirtydishes]

Well I do thank you guys for all of the advice and for trying to help me, but I do think it is time to call a real plumber. I've done all that i can think of doing and the problem is obviously bigger than anything i can handle. Also its a little discomforting to hear the suprise of having 2 traps so perhaps a real plumber can help me if something is also installed wrong. But since i did purchase this house as sort of a "fixer upper" already knowing that the previous owners took horrible care of it i should have expected something like this would pop up. But again thank you for all the advice and if it turns out to be something other than a grease clog or build up i'll post it and maybe it will help someone later on.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Two traps may be allowed in your state/jurisdiction, that's why I asked (it is not allowed in my state).

In any event, calling out the professional is your best remedy.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by escanlan

From initial description I'm leaning towards a problem either in the disposal to sink tail piece connection. May be obstructed there?

That's what I was thinking since the dishwasher is not having a problem.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

I Don't Like People That Try To Pull My Chain!!!

[William J. Decker]

I recommend my clients use Drano Gel Max about once a month, as a preventative measure. It does work on grease and will not harm pipes. It's just bleach and enzymes.

I have never had a client who followed this advice have a clog.

[Russel Ray]

Thanks for that personal recommendation, Will. I get clobbered quite often around here for providing personal recommendations (like with the Septic tank additives), but I always appreciate it when someone else can provide such recommendations since they then go into my "I have a friend who..." personal recommendation file.

[John Bowman]

Another simple problem just may be that the knock out plug on the drain of the insinerator was not completely removed.

I've seen many sinks where "Happy Harry Homeowner" either failed or didn't completely remove the plug as per the installation instructions.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jbowman

Another simple problem just may be that the knock out plug on the drain of the insinerator was not completely removed.

I've seen many sinks where "Happy Harry Homeowner" either failed or didn't completely remove the plug as per the installation instructions.

Newbie plumbers have done the same. There are newbies in every profession, and there are also the complacent-vastly-experienced-I-never-make-a-mistake-because-I-have-so-much-experience oldies, as well, so it's not always the Weekend Warrior.