Any construction forums?
Do any of you guys using any construction, remodeling, plumbing forums? I have some situation that would like to see if there a similar one.
Thanks.
Thanks.
SunBow
Depends, sometimes math or lounge (at risk there) but this one (miscellaneous) is likely best overall. Wide variety of experience here. What is situation?
Agree with Sunbow, there is a broad range of experience here. Miscellaneous is a good TA for almost anything.
ASKER
The situation sucks. We got a kitchen sink backup issues.
We are having back up issues with the kitchen sink (upstairs) and (sink downstairs) (same stack), but not the showers, toilets or bathroom sinks. This is the third time our units’ sinks have backed up in less than 2 years. Each time, we had our lines snaked as well as pressure washed during the last service, so they are clear and the City Utilities Department had the sewer trap flushed at the sidewalk at my request. As of this date, we have not had another issue, but it could just be a matter of time. Plumbing Co and a representative of the City Utilities Department have offered several scenarios indicating that our units’ problem could very well be a result of the common area drains. In general, we discussed the following;
a. The area drains lines may be separate from the sewer lines but could not confirm.
b. The unit above ours should be snaked.
c. There was some type of sand or sediment in the water that backed up.
d. There could be a grease build up somewhere downstream from our lower level sink.
e. The upper level common area lines could be affecting our unit if they are draining into this stack.
f. The city suggested that there may be a broken or displaced lateral between our unit and the sewer in the street.
g. Plumbing Co suggested maintenance should be performed on our unit and connecting lines every 90 days to keep the common area drains under control. This is a maintenance cost of $350.00 per visit which we cannot afford and which we believe we are not responsible. This would not be a permanent solution.
h. A camera should be run through the lines to see if the problem can be detected.
i. The roof top might have a sand/or sediment base or build up which could have somehow washed into the drains/sewer and clogged the lines.
In closing, we don’t exactly know what is going on but we are very concerned. I don’t think snaking our unit every 90 days at $350.00 a service call is the answer.
This is 2 level condominium building. We are on first level. There is another unit upstairs.
Thanks in advance.
We are having back up issues with the kitchen sink (upstairs) and (sink downstairs) (same stack), but not the showers, toilets or bathroom sinks. This is the third time our units’ sinks have backed up in less than 2 years. Each time, we had our lines snaked as well as pressure washed during the last service, so they are clear and the City Utilities Department had the sewer trap flushed at the sidewalk at my request. As of this date, we have not had another issue, but it could just be a matter of time. Plumbing Co and a representative of the City Utilities Department have offered several scenarios indicating that our units’ problem could very well be a result of the common area drains. In general, we discussed the following;
a. The area drains lines may be separate from the sewer lines but could not confirm.
b. The unit above ours should be snaked.
c. There was some type of sand or sediment in the water that backed up.
d. There could be a grease build up somewhere downstream from our lower level sink.
e. The upper level common area lines could be affecting our unit if they are draining into this stack.
f. The city suggested that there may be a broken or displaced lateral between our unit and the sewer in the street.
g. Plumbing Co suggested maintenance should be performed on our unit and connecting lines every 90 days to keep the common area drains under control. This is a maintenance cost of $350.00 per visit which we cannot afford and which we believe we are not responsible. This would not be a permanent solution.
h. A camera should be run through the lines to see if the problem can be detected.
i. The roof top might have a sand/or sediment base or build up which could have somehow washed into the drains/sewer and clogged the lines.
In closing, we don’t exactly know what is going on but we are very concerned. I don’t think snaking our unit every 90 days at $350.00 a service call is the answer.
This is 2 level condominium building. We are on first level. There is another unit upstairs.
Thanks in advance.
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Thanks.
I'd forgotten this thread and while sipping coffee just thought up a:
If a snake (auger etc) resolves,
then blockage ought to be at current length of snake,
which ought to be estimable by measuring when pulling it out
To measure, have a ruler (any) handy, and possibly some stick or something more flexible like a wire cable or string of fixed length. Use ruler to measure string, count how many strings of snake pulled out. Estimate some amount of downward vertical length, pace off the horizontal, look around, probably some distance in front yard. Imagine a circle drawn with sink at center, what intersects may be.
First answer likely blockage is front yard. Although if alley present in back it could be there. Either could indicate manhole location for merge point. Manhole 'should' have separate entry from each building, if not each condo. Might depend on age of condo, new, dated or converted. Street could have drainage curbside. Those could indicate general direction from sink. Could also indicate usage by neighbors (direction from them. Still, local ordinance ought to apply and city (or rather, local gov't) should have record available for any to review.
Age and location of building important. Where I grew up we were outside of city that had older homes. Clay pipes were inserted together, which can leak and break more frequently. I do not recall many, if any usage of snake, but possible, its older now, others maintain the overall. Pipes for construction have been upgraded over time, to point of using plastic, which could have been defective. Fix would be in need of digging, cost in thousands, barring availability of cheap labor. Likely not your best option unless you've got the cash, the need to have more consistency, and know more, such as no one adding suspect solids to drain. While you cannot monitor neighbors, monitoring own household habits can help determine. I've found small amounts of plastic from microwave dinners in own sink, swear I dunno how it got there. Thanks and good luck.
I'd forgotten this thread and while sipping coffee just thought up a:
If a snake (auger etc) resolves,
then blockage ought to be at current length of snake,
which ought to be estimable by measuring when pulling it out
To measure, have a ruler (any) handy, and possibly some stick or something more flexible like a wire cable or string of fixed length. Use ruler to measure string, count how many strings of snake pulled out. Estimate some amount of downward vertical length, pace off the horizontal, look around, probably some distance in front yard. Imagine a circle drawn with sink at center, what intersects may be.
First answer likely blockage is front yard. Although if alley present in back it could be there. Either could indicate manhole location for merge point. Manhole 'should' have separate entry from each building, if not each condo. Might depend on age of condo, new, dated or converted. Street could have drainage curbside. Those could indicate general direction from sink. Could also indicate usage by neighbors (direction from them. Still, local ordinance ought to apply and city (or rather, local gov't) should have record available for any to review.
Age and location of building important. Where I grew up we were outside of city that had older homes. Clay pipes were inserted together, which can leak and break more frequently. I do not recall many, if any usage of snake, but possible, its older now, others maintain the overall. Pipes for construction have been upgraded over time, to point of using plastic, which could have been defective. Fix would be in need of digging, cost in thousands, barring availability of cheap labor. Likely not your best option unless you've got the cash, the need to have more consistency, and know more, such as no one adding suspect solids to drain. While you cannot monitor neighbors, monitoring own household habits can help determine. I've found small amounts of plastic from microwave dinners in own sink, swear I dunno how it got there. Thanks and good luck.
*** Good Fortune ***