DIY Drain Cleaning?

[lncoop]

We back up once or twice a year between the upper-most clean-out and the lowest point in the house, which is the toilet in a little half bath in the den. It's about a fifteen or twenty foot run and the clean-out is very easy to access and open. The last couple of times I've had the plumber out the price has increased dramatically, from around $90 to $155, so I'm beginning to think it might make sense to pony up for a power snake. If memory serves a light duty one runs about $350, so at this rate it wouldn't take long for it to pay for itself. Does anyone have any thoughts in general about that idea? Good idea? Bad idea?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

My brother in law does his own about once a year. It pays for itself. On the other hand, I have a buddy who is a plumber and I told him that my drains plug up about once per year. He says I have a bigger problem than cleaning the drain...I need to run a camera through the pipes and find out why it's happening. He's figuring roots, partial collapse of something else...drains should not need cleaning that often.

 

[gm280]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

The only issue I ever had with a stop up was when my grandson thought that if one sheet of toilet paper was good an entire roll was that much better... Nothing else to say... He is older now and no problems anymore! :watermelon:

 

[lncoop]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

My brother in law does his own about once a year. It pays for itself. On the other hand, I have a buddy who is a plumber and I told him that my drains plug up about once per year. He says I have a bigger problem than cleaning the drain...I need to run a camera through the pipes and find out why it's happening. He's figuring roots, partial collapse of something else...drains should not need cleaning that often.

Yeah, I know. When we bought the house I didn't realize we had orangeburg or I would have reconsidered or at least done some soul searching. Five or six years ago we replaced the run between the front of the house and the street, but the run between there and the house tie-in is under two very deep brick flowerbeds and the front porch (solid concrete steps and landing), and at the time the plumber recommended we leave it alone. I should point out that I'm usually able to clear it myself with a little toilet auger, so I'm inclined to leave it alone unless things get a whole lot worse. I can do a lot of snaking for what that job would cost, especially if I start doing it myself.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

At the risk of being too personal.....what brand of TP are you using? We used to have an annual clog at my old house (low lying trap apparently) and were using Cottenelle. The Roto-Rooter guy told us that was the worse. We switched to Northern and never had another issue.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

ezmobee is on the right track. TP has a lot to do with it. The softer nicer kinder stuff is tough on the pipes. The thin stuff is fine. There are also those wipey things that are out now...not good for pipes but they do leave a fresh scent. :facepalm:

Also, don't forget all the junk you through down the garbage disposal. That said, pipes...PVC or the old cast iron (along with sewer or tank) make a BIG difference on what you can use.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

Are you connected to a sewer or septic system? I ask because my septic system on the Island was aerobic and VERY susceptible to roots, etc. Although I followed the recommendations of the installer to use periodic lye-based "rooter-outers", I eventually had to install a totally new drainfield.

 

[NewfieDan]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

When I lived out west we had the same issue. The drain would plug up one a year usually in the fall. After couple of years we had a company come in and scope out the drain. The power snaked with a high pressure line it cleared te roots. Then ran a camera down. The plumber found that the house drain where it tied in with the city had shifted some we essentially had a drain that was about half of what it was supposed to be.

After the power snake was done we never had an issue for another ten years until we sold the house.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

If you already own a pressure washer a sewer clean attachment such as this is an inexpensive way to clean a line if your cleanout is below the clog as they work best going up into the clog. Orangeburg can be a problem. There was a developer that installed it for sewer laterals in our area in the 50's and I would guess there isn't one that wasn't replaced by the 1980s.

NorthStar Sewer and Drain Cleaning System ? 30Ft. | Pressure Washer Hoses| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[foodfisher]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

If you've got these new low gpf toilets it might help to hold the handle down a little longer. Not enough water is passed to get the job done and the stuff builds up in the els and other connections.

 

[lncoop]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

If you already own a pressure washer a sewer clean attachment such as this is an inexpensive way to clean a line if your cleanout is below the clog as they work best going up into the clog. Orangeburg can be a problem. There was a developer that installed it for sewer laterals in our area in the 50's and I would guess there isn't one that wasn't replaced by the 1980s.

NorthStar Sewer and Drain Cleaning System — 30Ft. | Pressure Washer Hoses| Northern Tool + Equipment

I bet that would work great on cleaning out my semi-clogged gutter drain lines out to the street. I had moderate success with a garden hose run down from the house gutter connection and up the pipe from the curb but the garden hose was too big in diameter to be totally successful.

 

[smoedog]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

Coop, I just bought a 50 ft 1/2in cleaner from harbor frieght. I picked it up for 200bux with coupon that is always popping up. Feel free to come get it anytime you need. I just cleared a blockage from my main line leaving the house. Works like a champ. Just let me know.

 

[lncoop]

Re: DIY Drain Cleaning?

Cool, thanks Smoe. You be da man.