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Our house is 99 built and has frequent sink clogging issues. Last time, 2 months ago, I ended up getting a snake since the issue was deep down past the p-trap. The pipe runs into the counter wall and then takes a sharp 90 degree turn down the wall to the drain. So to get the snake drill down the pipe gets tricky. I have a 16 ft long snake which is long enough since I cant push it down through the entire length of it as it starts getting curled up inside the pipe. We have like a triple sink with tiny garbage disposal, 7 inches wide, in the middle.
We are very careful putting stuff in the sink that we hardly put anything but water. Still it gets clogged up. Due to the weird layout of the pipe, I am not sure how to address this issue every other month. Is there a permanent solution to this other than using the snake? I guess re-doing the pipe layout will be a pain since we need to break down the counter wall etc.
We tried hot water, Draino etc. but the clog is deep down somewhere once it gets into the counter wall. I can't see how the layout is underneath, so no clue whats going on there.
Last time, I ended up playing around with the snake for a while, then use the garden hose to force down water to ensure the clog is gone, took quite a few tries before it was completely removed. Is there something else I can flush it down straight into the pipe that helps clean the clog easier?
Attaching a pic, you can see I have inserted the snake into the pipe which runs into the wall and goes down to the ground. Clog is somewhere when it gets th e ground I guess.
What you describe has the hallmarks of a root invading the drain. You cut it back or open a path with the snake and it regrows. The real solution is digging up the drain and making a repair. The other solutions are removing/killing the offending tree/bush or using root-kill regularly (which I don't recommend).
If roots:Get a rotorooter to run down the drain (will go down the stack vent). Then repeated use of root kill will maintain the drain.
But since this was built in 99, should be PVC drain pipe, not tile, and roots shouldn't be in the pipe. Wondering if something was left in the pipe, or if you have a drain collapse.
If no sign of roots after clean out, pay the bucks to have a camera run down the pipe.
If there is a large tree nearby or over the drain pipe the roots may be putting pressure on the PVC pipe and cracking it, therefor allowing roots inside it clogging the drainage.
My neighbor years ago unknowingly planted a 15 gallon tree in their front yard over the drain pipe. Last year the humongous tree's weight over the pipe cracked it open and they had to have the tree removed and a new section replaced. Costly lessoned learned.
OP you could get a plumbing company with a camera to check out your pipes and locate the problem area.
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