Water backing-up

[travelbug73]

Disclaimer: I'm new to this forum and do not have any plumbing knowledge:)

Water is backing-up into the kitchen and laundry room sinks when the washer drains. The sinks drain immediately thereafter but I would like to do something about it because I do not think it is hygenic for dirty laundry water to even be in the kitchen sink. My question to the experts is, what do you recommend I do?
Should I rent a snake and figure out if there is blockage in the main line that the kitchen sink, dishwasher and washer drain into? If so, what kind do you recommend I rent? Are there tools out there that will detect and remove/break-up the clog, if any?
Or, should I just go ahead and call a plumber? If so, would you have any good recommendations for plumbers in the greater Memphis area? And what kinds of questions should I ask the plumber?

Many thanks,

[westcoastplumber]

Disclaimer: I'm new to this forum and do not have any plumbing knowledge:)

Water is backing-up into the kitchen and laundry room sinks when the washer drains. The sinks drain immediately thereafter but I would like to do something about it because I do not think it is hygenic for dirty laundry water to even be in the kitchen sink. My question to the experts is, what do you recommend I do?
Should I rent a snake and figure out if there is blockage in the main line that the kitchen sink, dishwasher and washer drain into? If so, what kind do you recommend I rent? Are there tools out there that will detect and remove/break-up the clog, if any?
Or, should I just go ahead and call a plumber? If so, would you have any good recommendations for plumbers in the greater Memphis area? And what kinds of questions should I ask the plumber?

Many thanks,

Your not completely stopped up yet because as you stated, the water goes down, you have a partial stoppage and it is located between the main drain which will be 3" or 4", and where the two fixtures tie toghether, which should be 2". do you have a c/o on this line? It will be off the kitchen sink drain or the washing machine line, If you have a c/o, you can run a 3/8" cable machine through the c/o and then run water afterwards to test. you should solve your problems then. As far as tools, we have cameras that can access the line, but for this, it really isn't necassary, unless you have a constant problem, try snaking it first. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable, or do not have a c/o, please call a plumber, do not use chemicals, ask the plumber to first look for a c/o.

[freddy]

If your kinda handy around the house, you could rent a machine to run down the vent on the roof. weather and roof permitting. just tell the rental place what your plan is, and they should set you up with the right machine. Or If you don't feel like doing this job, call several plumbing shops. they should tell you what it will cost to do the job with there commercial equipment. :)

[PLUMBER RICK]

as you stated, you don't have plumbing knowledge.

the last thing ou want to do is rent a snake.

a snake can be tricky to use and the smaller the snake, the faster it will kink:eek:

check with your neighbors and friends for a good local recommended plumber or drain cleaning co.

do not look in the yellow pages:eek:

typically out here the kitchen and laundry are close to each other and share the same common 2'' line. unfortunatly the kitchen is the worst fixture and laundry is second. combination of food, grease, soap , lint, and old pipe.

snaking will work, jetting is typically better, but more costly. snake it with the proper size snake and cutters. run plenty of water and fill the sink and laundry to test. i wouldn't jet at this point on a first time issue.

most experienced plumbers, drain cleaners should be able to give you an exact price or a pretty close estimate.

if there is a cleanout, it will take less than 1 hour. no cleanout will require a little more time, possibly from the roof vent. also can be snaked from the laundry stand pipe or by removing the sink trap. object is to run the largest cable and cutter combination to properly clean the line.

stay away from the yellow pages:eek:

rick.

[freddy]

Don't be scared away by ricks advise on trying this on your own. It's not rocket science. If you can run cable down through the roof vent, this will be an easy, and fairly clean job for you to do. You will not need to take any pipes apart to cable the drain. As far as the yellow pages, call several and they should be able to give you a idea over the phone about price. I would run away from the low price guy. Cheap job just won't last before you need it done again :)

[gear junkie]

Listen to Rick.

[Crappy days]

Everyone has given good advise. However from your post, you yourself said you have no plumbing knowledge. Most plumbers don't charge that much for a drain cleaning. So I would call a pro. If you can get a referral great if not then call several local plumbing shops. Use the white pages, yellow pages, news paper, or even check on line with who ever your local phone service provider is. The service will probably run somewhere between 69.00 and 185.00 depending on the company. If you cannot afford this then , you can try it yourself. However there is always the possibility of damaging the snake or even worse injury. If you don't have experience then it can be difficult depending on the drain(the way it is run,or accessibility).

[ToUtahNow]

I'm with Rick.

Here are a few observations after doing this type of work over the last 35-years or so. Many plumbers after their first few years in the business stop cleaning drains from the roof due to the dangers involved. Our shop would only snake from the roof one time and after that if the owner had not installed a CO we would not return for drain cleanings.

Keep in mind most plumbers own professional equipment which is well maintained. At the same time most Rental Yards rent equipment which is used by the rental community. The rental equipment is often poor quality equipment which is poorly maintained. If many plumbers avoid the roof with their good equipment why would it be safe to put an inexperienced owner on the roof with rental equipment?

Mark

[DuckButter]

Point worth mention...so far it looks like it's assumed the problem is recent.
If this has been ongoing...you could have a vent problem.
If you drains aren't vented, they'll drain slower...also it's a big problem with sewer gas (ONLY if there is no vent, if so, you may have noticed the occasional smell).
IF this turns out to be the case, depending on your local code you have two courses of action.
1 - Install a vent through to the attic and connect to your main stack there, or out the roof seperate.
2 - Studor vent, ot mechanical vent...they are not legal in every state (mine for example) , but if they are in yours ther are MUCH easier to install than the first option.
This is ONLY if it turns out to not be stoppage in the actual drain.

[travelbug73]

Thank you all for your input. I believe, there is a clean-out plug, therefore, going through the roof might not be necessary. Anyway, I shall take a look at it this evening and make a decision. Yes, it is a more recent problem, of course, we have had this house only for 9 months now and the previous owner said she did not have this problem.

Thank you

[apf]

Rick ,I am starting to take offense at your yellow pages **** .I am moving my business in 2 weeks , going to the city and I am going to be in the yellow pages , I don"t know anyone in the community , how the hell else do you expect me to gain cust. ,I am also pavement pounding and meeting people . I guaran-frickin-tee that my work is as good yours . I'm your same age , so give it a break.........................

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick ,I am starting to take offense at your yellow pages **** .I am moving my business in 2 weeks , going to the city and I am going to be in the yellow pages , I don"t know anyone in the community , how the hell else do you expect me to gain cust. ,I am also pavement pounding and meeting people . I guaran-frickin-tee that my work is as good yours . I'm your same age , so give it a break.........................

apf, i'm not taking a shot at you personally.

out here in los angeles, just in the local book, not the whole city but very local there are over 40 pages of ads just for plumbers.

there is not 1 ad that i would recommend to anyone. the ads that are there are of companies that are out to get you 1 time.

as far as you moving your company, unfortunately that's a very difficult decision. i don't care how good of a plumber you or i or anyone else is. if you don't know anyone it's going to take time to build up your reputation. the best way is like you've already done. going door to door and meeting potential customers. i would start in my local new neighborhood.

don't know what you spent on your ad, but i hope you actually get a good response. any new business has a breaking in period with the local community.

do you know anyone in the new community? referrals are the best form of advertising.

rick.

[wizzy]

In your case it sounds like grease from the kitchen tying up with lent from the washer and blocking your pipe. Its good you have a clean out as this makes it much easer to get at your problem. It doesn't sound like a vent problem and I would stay off the roof. It's hard to tell how tough a job it will be to clean out the pipe. I have seen it open with just a small snake 3/8" cable or on real tough jobs it could take a 3/4" cable and cutter. If you could borrow 3/8" snake with power of a drill and run cold water while snaking it out that might work seeing as it is still partly open. But most likely you are better off calling a drain cleaning or plummer to open it up as the cost of renting a big enough machine, mess, problems and time just isn't worth it.

[draintech1]

Now this whole yellow pages thing brings up a point.....when calling from the yellow pages, which company can be semi-trusted more, the company that asks questions over the phone and then gives a ballpark figure on what it might cost to do the job(being a small job like drain cleaning, toilet repair, and so on), or the company that says they won't give a price until they are on site and can see the problem(even if it's a small job like drain cleaning, toilet repair and so on) which sometimes if not often times leads to a trip charge? I've worked for both kinds of companies and I'll tell you the first kind was much busier and the closing rate was 100%, whereas the second kind was much higher priced, slower, the closing rate was around 54-57% for the shop, and the trip charge was on top of the service/repair charge. I can see things wrong with the second kind that might alleviate some problems with closing jobs but if a person absolutely had to call from the yellow pages what would be some things to listen for to determine if this company was out to get you 1 time or if this company wanted your business for life? Giving prices over the phone can be dangerous sometimes but not giving a ballpark figure can be detrimental in the same way. With the price of gas and time is money, you sure don't want to drive around all day for free estimates but if you have to charge a trip charge shouldn't it be figured into the price if the customer accepts the job? I, myself, ask alot of questions and then give a ballpark with nothing set in stone until I see it and it seems to be working good right now. I have been told that giving prices over the phone is unprofessional though and I was just wondering what you guys thought. Do questions and giving roundabout prices over the phone make a company more trustworthy?

[Crappy days]

Advertising in the yellow pages , on line , or other forms of print ad and media are just fine. If you are happy growing your business slow and don't want to drive a Ferrari. Then just go door to door . While your at it put on some bib overalls and chew some tobacco. If you want to work the rest of your life 65 to 75 and live middle income then not advertising will get you there and there nothing wrong with that.

However if you want to own several homes, businesses and travel plus put your kids through school. Then I would advertise. Don't get me wrong I am not saying there aren't exception to the rule, in both cases. Just look around you every company advertises and gives incentives to use there business. I just think it is absurd to suggest that company's that advertise are bad or more expensive.

Is there seriously any of us who have never bought or used a service based on advertisements. Rick, although I respect your opinion it goes against every business model or practice prescribe by business professionals. At this point we should all strip our trucks of there lettering and logos in order to be purist. Not advertising thats just ridiculous.

[Crappy days]

Maybe we should all stop buying Ridgid tools. After all they advertise way to much. And there prices are some of the highest in the industry. Again ridiculous... ridiculous...ridiculous

[ToUtahNow]

The Yellow Pages has done a great job of convincing plumbers they need to be closer to the front of the book. Of course the only way to get closer to the front of the book is to buy larger ads. I remember as Plumbers fought to buy larger and larger ads until they ended up with a full page ad. Just when it looked like it could not get any worse they started selling two page ads. Now some of these Plumbers are spending a disproportionate amount of their overall budget on Yellow Page Ads.

A few years before the father of flat-rating went BK I believe he owed the Yellow Pages hundreds of thousands of dollars in Yellow Page ads and the Yellow Page was offering to take ten cents on the dollar if he renewed his ad. What a Rep told me was because he was at the top of the pack he was feeding the spending frenzy in the Yellow Pages.

There is nothing wrong with advertising in the Yellow Pages but only a fool looks at the big ads and assumes because the Plumber is spending thousands of dollars per month on his Yellow Page ad it makes him a better plumber.

Mark

[westcoastplumber]

Maybe we should all stop buying Rigid tools. After all they advertise way to much. And there prices are some of the highest in the industry. Again ridiculous... ridiculous...ridiculous


crappy clear your pm mailbox storage

[ToUtahNow]

crappy clear your pm mailbox storage

LOL-I just try to send him a PM as well.

Mark

[Crappy days]

Its empty.

[DuckButter]

Sole proprietor...relatively new in the game...ears WIDE open.
Recently banging my head with the idea of yellow pages, but hearing they aren't worth it anymore.
I make a living off my personality (and to think, the mrs calls me crabby)
I talk to my customers like they're my neighbor...not too formal or impersonally professional...nice n comfy.
I'm swimming in repeat/referral buz...thats fine, but Crappy has gotten my attention...I fall into the "If you want to work the rest of your life 65 to 75 and live middle income ..." category.
My recent searching has lead me to believe that advertizing/marketing is obviously needed IF you want to grow...but there's another word added that changes everything...."target".
Yellow pages are obnoxiously expensive IF you want something big enough to be effective, and I hear they yield less and less every year...I'm wondering about targeting specific demographs...maybe on local cable, or newspaper.
In the same respect, the LARGEST companies in my area are pasted all over the place...full page ads in the yellow pages, trucks everywhere with BOLD lettering, and if I were them I'd spread the word that the yellow pages are awful too if that were my bread n butter.
I am doing fine now...and buz has been growing faster than I thought it would, but it looks like I'll have to keep my ears open for a little while longer to get the real "skinny" on this.

[travelbug73]

I know this post went off-track. Anyway, back to the original post, the answer was grease in the pipe. We had a plumber come over and take a look. We were charged $75.00 for one hour plus $15.00 for the use of a snake. We haven't had the issue of back-up since.

Thank you,

[PLUMBER RICK]

I know this post went off-track. Anyway, back to the original post, the answer was grease in the pipe. We had a plumber come over and take a look. We were charged $75.00 for one hour plus $15.00 for the use of a snake. We haven't had the issue of back-up since.

Thank you,


you did real good. a snake will open the line, but a jetter will clean the line. at $90.00 you're in good shape. a jetter would have been approx. $50. more.

rick.

[garydean]

It's always best left to a professional who will guarantee their work. I've seen too many homeowners destroy their house, rented equipment and marriage only to resort to calling a pro in the long run.

smart decision!!

Gary

[Tieger plumbing]

I'm with Rick.

Here are a few observations after doing this type of work over the last 35-years or so. Many plumbers after their first few years in the business stop cleaning drains from the roof due to the dangers involved. Our shop would only snake from the roof one time and after that if the owner had not installed a CO we would not return for drain cleanings.

Keep in mind most plumbers own professional equipment which is well maintained. At the same time most Rental Yards rent equipment which is used by the rental community. The rental equipment is often poor quality equipment which is poorly maintained. If many plumbers avoid the roof with their good equipment why would it be safe to put an inexperienced owner on the roof with rental equipment?

Mark

I totally agree as I have only been doing plumbing since 1968 (not counting Navy time) and I must say many so called plumbers lost fingers and eye and did a lot of damage to the equipment and themselves as well as the piping they attempted to work on.
Not all plumbers are capable of doing drain cleaning as many were not trained properly and many employers including myself used to sub contract the drain cleaning as paying a journeyman plumber is not cost effective when I can hire a drain cleaning company for about the same price as I pay my employees.

Some drain folks are content giving away their talents for $45 + and I used to hire these folks double or triple their prices which a lot of "plumbing" companies still do.
If I am paying a mechanic $45 per hr in the envelope not including benefits it is not cost effective to charge less then $150 per hr (service call) for their time.

If you look around you can find many drain guys out there willing to work really cheap just make sure they have insurance.
One has to ask what is your time worth? and do you really want to risk getting cut and take a chance of getting an infection when you have folks out there willing to do this kind of work for less then $100?
Here the drain guy will come using his gas and his equipment and his insurance and his expertise and guarantee his work.

Instead of you driving to a rent a tool place trying to do the job hoping not to break the snake in the line and praying you do not get hurt with a snake tangled.
Rodding (snaking) from a roof is not the greatest idea because if the cable twists it can cause you to lose balance.
Some roof terminals are vent stacks not stack vents and thus snaking from this location would be useless.
Going through a clean out or possibly removing a fixture trap or even taking up a toilet all will give you great access to the drain lines and then you can use a larger diameter snake as a 1/4" -3/8 is great for a fixture stoppage but not really good for 3" or larger lines...
Cheaper to call a professional and many work really cheap considering the risk.