Building a stick frame house in the woods in 90 days

[Ranger Rick]

Stu does water back up into the vanity sink? If it does it would seem that the obstruction would be past the vertical connection. If not it is in the piece up to the trap or just beyond. Rick

 

[FairfaxStu]

Rick:

The sink drains just fine. That is what leads me to believe that the problem is likely somewhere in the PVC line that runs horizontally to the drain. I also dumped a bunch of strong, albeit not as strong as what I am using now, down the vanity sink and it had no effect.

Fingers crossed that my approach will work. Will update you guys tomorrow with the results.
-Stu

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm the type that likes to do all my repairs myself, but there is a time to call in a pro with a power auger to clean out those drains. Every time this has happened to me, it's taken them about an hour to get it all cleared out and cost me about a hundred bucks.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm the type that likes to do all my repairs myself, but there is a time to call in a pro with a power auger to clean out those drains. Every time this has happened to me, it's taken them about an hour to get it all cleared out and cost me about a hundred bucks.

Eddie

 

[radioman]

hmm I wonder if you need additional venting for the washing machine to drain better.

 

[dave1949]

Liquid fabric softeners do leave congealed gunk behind, at least the brand my Mom is addicted to does. :laughing: I could see hair and fabric lint collecting on that.

Stu, I thought the pic you posted was current, didn't realize the wall was sealed up now. If this becomes an on-going problem, an access panel to the trap may be in order. Pain in the butt, but less than $100 by far.

 

[FairfaxStu]

Yeah that pic was from 12/8/97. That drain has been in service since then without issue. I just finished up rinsing out the super strong drain cleaner with [hopefully] lucky 7 batches of boiling hot water from my tea kettle. Here in a bit (read: when I grow a set), I am going to reconnect the drainline from the washer and try a short cycle to see if I fixed it or not.

If what I tried does not work, I am left with no other option than to call my plumber and schedule a service visit. In the meantime, I was thinking I could stick the drain line out the window (you can't see it in the pic but it is close) so that I can at least do some laundry.
-Stu

 

[FairfaxStu]

Well, the first test was a success. I am on the second now with a bunch of towels. If that goes well, I can breathe a deep sigh of relief.
-Stu

 

[FairfaxStu]

Success!

Now on to some serious Natties to celebrate!

 

[wmonroe]

Success!

Now on to some serious Natties to celebrate!

That's good you were able to fix it on your own, they make some serious drain openers. Are you going to use something other than liquid fabric softener now?

 

[FairfaxStu]

What I am thinking is to go with liquid but only 4th or 5th time that a particular piece is laundered. The other option would be to move back to fabric dryer sheets but I hear those clog can clog the dryer and potentially cause a fire. I will go with water over fire anyday.
-Stu

 

[Dr Dave]

The wife, uses the Bounce drier bars, they stick to the inside of the drum.

Dave

 

[Dr Dave]

The wife, uses the Bounce drier bars, they stick to the inside of the drum.

Dave

 

[pacerron]

What I am thinking is to go with liquid but only 4th or 5th time that a particular piece is laundered. The other option would be to move back to fabric dryer sheets but I hear those clog can clog the dryer and potentially cause a fire. I will go with water over fire anyday.
-Stu

You need to keep your lint screen/filter in the dryer clean. My wife cleans ours after every use. The vent pipe to the outside and the flapper need to be cleaned periodically as well, since no lint screen stops it all.
The idea is to dry the clothes with warm dry air flowing through them to the outside; not par boiling them with hot air and trapped moisture.
Most dryers today have a moisture sensor in the drum that controls how long the unit runs. If you trap/****** the moisture escaping through a clogged filter/vent system you cause the dryer to run longer, resulting in wasted electricity and extra damage/wear to the clothes.
Some say that fabric dryer sheets coat the sensor, others say the liquid softner does.
The advantage of the sheets is that they remove static electricity as well as soften.
We have used them in the same dryer for over 20 years without any problems to the sensor.
You have to follow the directions and keep the lint filter clean so there is good air flow.

 

[dave1949]

You need to keep your lint screen/filter in the dryer clean. My wife cleans ours after every use. The vent pipe to the outside and the flapper need to be cleaned periodically as well, since no lint screen stops it all.
The idea is to dry the clothes with warm dry air flowing through them to the outside; not par boiling them with hot air and trapped moisture.
Most dryers today have a moisture sensor in the drum that controls how long the unit runs. If you trap/****** the moisture escaping through a clogged filter/vent system you cause the dryer to run longer, resulting in wasted electricity and extra damage/wear to the clothes.
Some say that fabric dryer sheets coat the sensor, others say the liquid softner does.
The advantage of the sheets is that they remove static electricity as well as soften.
We have used them in the same dryer for over 20 years without any problems to the sensor.
You have to follow the directions and keep the lint filter clean so there is good air flow.

To that good advice I would add that the vent piping should be cleaned out periodically. You can buy tools to do this, or disassemble if that works.

To some extent, the amount of lint that collects on the inside of the vent pipe depends on how much condensation is forming there while the dryer is running. A long vent pipe exposed to cool temps will build-up more lint inside as it sticks to the condensation. You should limit the number of turns and elbows too.

 

[pacerron]

To some extent, the amount of lint that collects on the inside of the vent pipe depends on how much condensation is forming there while the dryer is running. A long vent pipe exposed to cool temps will build-up more lint inside as it sticks to the condensation. You should limit the number of turns and elbows too.

Exactly.. The run is usually limited to a few feet, in the manual, but reduced by 5 feet for every turn/elbow.
The shorter the better and the easier to clean. That's why most home designs have the dryer next to an outside wall.
Not a dangerous long run in a cool basement with many turns, as is the case in Peter's moms house.
It was discussed at the time but the long run was their choice.

 

[MoKelly]

Success!

Now on to some serious Natties to celebrate!

Congrats. However, Nattie Light to celebrate? Come on now. This calls for a good craft brew.:licking:

MoKelly

 

[FairfaxStu]

Congrats. However, Nattie Light to celebrate? Come on now. This calls for a good craft brew.:licking:

MoKelly

I should start a "What are you drinking?" thread.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I should start a "What are you drinking?" thread.

George Dickle... You?

Please start such a thread... I might learn me sumthin...



David

 

[wmonroe]

George Dickle... You?

Please start such a thread... I might learn me sumthin...



David

Crown royal.....