Hey guys, I realize it's really hard to diagnose plumbing issues if you're not there, but maybe you can help me with a bit of a mystery. If not, then this will help me vent at least I bought a house a couple of years ago that was built in 1969. Cast iron pipes galore.
The first year I had some clogging issues because I was flushing paper towels down the toilet. I didn't know better
At the time, the plumber showed up and, since I didn't have a clean-out, he had to go to the roof and auger the paper towels out.
Fast forward to this year. I got a roommate three months ago and about a month in, I got all the drains in the house clogged up. After questioning the offender, I found out she was flushing her tampons. Several beatings later, I was able to convince her that you can't do that in old houses. Anyway, called the plumber, and $270 later, the drain was unclogged. However, nothing was pulled out, so I couldn't see exactly what had clogged it. This is where it starts getting interesting. One week later, the drains got clogged again. I called the plumber back, but since I didn't have a clean-out, there was not warranty on the work. They did give me a discount, so I only had to pay $200. One week later, same story. Called them back, same price, $200 and the clog was relieved. But, on this last visit, they detected where my lines where and told me where I had to dig outside the house to install a clean-out.
One month later, I finally was able to coincide with my dad, who is a plumber, to make the trip and help me install this mythical clean-out.
Two weeks ago, my drains got clogged again. I found out that someone had been flushing wipes on a regular basis. After another round of discussions, I was able to convince her that you can't do that in old houses.
Called the plumber, a different one from the previous occasions, and he used an auger to clear the clog. However, he had a hell of a time doing it. He basically fed the whole snake into the line (I believe it was 50'). He gave up and said that he was going to try through the toilet, which I had removed prior to his visit. It was as he was retrieving the cable that the drain started to flow again.
Ten days later, the drains were clogged again. No culprits this time, so I figured it was the same previous clog. Called them back under the 30 day warranty, and same story. The guy had a hell of a time, feeding almost all the line, and unclogging it only as he was retrieving it.
So... what's going out with my drains?!?! I have two full bathrooms, and the clean-out is close to one of them, placed between that bathroom and the line exit to the street. I'm not sure what other details would be pertinent at this point, so I will wait for questions. Tonight I get to go home to a clogged system, so maybe I'll figure out what to do, not involving another call to the plumber.
The first year I had some clogging issues because I was flushing paper towels down the toilet. I didn't know better
At the time, the plumber showed up and, since I didn't have a clean-out, he had to go to the roof and auger the paper towels out.
Fast forward to this year. I got a roommate three months ago and about a month in, I got all the drains in the house clogged up. After questioning the offender, I found out she was flushing her tampons. Several beatings later, I was able to convince her that you can't do that in old houses. Anyway, called the plumber, and $270 later, the drain was unclogged. However, nothing was pulled out, so I couldn't see exactly what had clogged it. This is where it starts getting interesting. One week later, the drains got clogged again. I called the plumber back, but since I didn't have a clean-out, there was not warranty on the work. They did give me a discount, so I only had to pay $200. One week later, same story. Called them back, same price, $200 and the clog was relieved. But, on this last visit, they detected where my lines where and told me where I had to dig outside the house to install a clean-out.
One month later, I finally was able to coincide with my dad, who is a plumber, to make the trip and help me install this mythical clean-out.
Two weeks ago, my drains got clogged again. I found out that someone had been flushing wipes on a regular basis. After another round of discussions, I was able to convince her that you can't do that in old houses.
Called the plumber, a different one from the previous occasions, and he used an auger to clear the clog. However, he had a hell of a time doing it. He basically fed the whole snake into the line (I believe it was 50'). He gave up and said that he was going to try through the toilet, which I had removed prior to his visit. It was as he was retrieving the cable that the drain started to flow again.
Ten days later, the drains were clogged again. No culprits this time, so I figured it was the same previous clog. Called them back under the 30 day warranty, and same story. The guy had a hell of a time, feeding almost all the line, and unclogging it only as he was retrieving it.
So... what's going out with my drains?!?! I have two full bathrooms, and the clean-out is close to one of them, placed between that bathroom and the line exit to the street. I'm not sure what other details would be pertinent at this point, so I will wait for questions. Tonight I get to go home to a clogged system, so maybe I'll figure out what to do, not involving another call to the plumber.