Clogged Kitchen drain

[Red Horse]

Well guys for the second time in 29 years since I built this house my drain from kitchen sink is stopped up. It is a sched 40 1-1/2" PVC and it drops 3" in 29'. The first time it clogged it did have a bit of a belly in it and I ended up cutting out a section and it was jammed with typical kitchen "goo". No disposal but dishwasher dumps into it above the trap, We have always been careful, don't dump grease down it and have a screen over the two sink drains to catch food scraps. We probably have NOT done a good enough job of wiping dishes before they go in washer.

so I've snaked it twice in both directions and done the baking soda/vinegar routine a couple of times. Snake goes through but I'm afraid it is just punching a 5/8ths -3/4 hole and the minute I flood it, it seals up again.

Before I cut the line out, anyone have any success with an of the liquid plumber stuff? There are a lot of products out there all claiming to be the best. The baking soda/vinegar thing works well but the issue is NOT in the trap.

appreciate any thoughts? Think I've got too much drop with 3" in 29 ft?

By the way I've also used one of those plungers made for sinks and the only thing I get out of that is exercise!

 

[bunyip]

We use a liquid that is available only from plumbing supplies, big barns don't sell it because it is nasty stuff and caustic but it breaks down everything.
Don't recall the name but sure you will have the same thing with a local name, this has cleaned out horse hair (daughters thought washing horse rugs in the washing machine when we were not home a good idea) and the usual 'cholesterol' build up on the pipes.
Don't get it on yourself as it is nasty stuff and wear safety glasses.

 

[wagne223]

I have used liquid plumber and it was successful.
Poured down drain, ran water until sink was half full then waited......
25 minutes later I heard a gurgle and down went the water.

Changed my disposal habits and have had no issues since.

 

[RNeumann]

I used hot water-sometimes a sink full at a time- with the snake in the drain to help with the buildup. Otherwise (and honestly the best for this) it’s hydrojet time.

 

[/pine]

Is there no clean-out at the bottom of the riser below the sink?...

I would use close to boiling water then open the trap and temporarily cap the line (and vent etc.) and use a hose (with some pressure) at the clean-out...

 

[Scook222]

Can’t remember who makes them but we use an expanding in line thing that screws on a garden hose and you stick it and the hose in the pipe. It seals the pipe and sprays water inside the pipe to clear the clog and have had really good results. I used liquid lightening one time but makes your house smell like sulfur for a while and you aren’t supposed to get any on you. I think you have plenty of slope in your line. It’s it only the second time in almost 30 years, you have a lot better luck than me.

 

[AchingBack]

Last time mine clogged, discovered toddler grandson helped do dishes by putting a few chop sticks in there. Aha, easy removal, and now able to snake a pipe with a near 90 degree angle about 4' into the corner under the sink. An almost impossible task.

After trying a few chemicals, I gave up and thought outside the pipe, so to speak. I rigged a nozzle to adapt to my shop vac, and away I sucked. It took over an hour to finally clear the pipe. I believe the main culprit was swollen grain debris, i.e., oats and rice, mixed with cold grease from when the family lived with me and cooked differently than I do.

Now days I am religious about monthly treating both sides of the sink with a dose of baking soda chased by cleaning strength vinegar, and hot water. Also, sinks will clog when the intake is small. Which is why it is also a good idea to fill the basin with water to insure a good flush.

My final word of advice, do not plunge kitchen sinks.

I heard a story about a clogged sink due to the vent stack being filled to the brim with acorns.

 

[flyerdan]

Can’t remember who makes them but we use an expanding in line thing that screws on a garden hose...

That would be a Drain King, available locally at most of the box and hardware stores. I have one as well.

 

[RNeumann]

I used hot water-sometimes a sink full at a time- with the snake in the drain to help with the buildup. Otherwise (and honestly the best for this) it’s hydrojet time.

I’ve never used the “home owner” version, but this seems to have good reviews-
https://www.amazon.com/JetSnake-Sewer-Jetter-Cleaner-Pressure/dp/B077STYDB9

 

[kco]

OP, Your drain setup seems similar to mine in length, drop, and the feed from a dishwasher. I had a droop in mine and it started to clog regularly. Shimming it up helped but it still clogged even though it would run well for weeks or months. I was using a 1/4" snake that you rotate with a drill. I got a 3/8" hand rotated drain auger which solved the problem ($20 at Home Depot in Canada). Although the 1/4" snake seemed to be cleaning the pipe and ran easily through, I suspect it was drilling a hole through the plug of muck. The 3/8" does a much better job. It did clog a few weeks after using the 3/8", but I cleaned it again it has been good for about 4 months since then. I am sure the 3/8" cleaned a lot more out of the pipe than the 1/4".

Perhaps a thicker snake may work for you.