Clogged drain with bad history, no snake, lye?

Question

we moved into a place built in the 50s, installed a new tub and didn't connect it to anything under the house.. we finally had that fixed (but really, i have no idea)

same drain is now clogging up. i know it's pvc under the tub, believe we have one old iron pipe leading from under the house to the street.

what i've got handy is lye, no snake. Bad idea? i'm scared to do much pushing around without knowing how well it's all connected

advice, please

L

Answer 1

Having cleaned a few drains I have some rules.  

1. never use a chemical drain cleaner on a drain that is stopped.  (If you have to get in there later you will get the chemical all over you.  If you can't flush it the chemical is going to eat the pipes until you can clean it.)

2 attack the drain in this order:

  a. plunger

  b. wet dry vac  (especially good for recovery)

  c. if the drain is only slow you might consider chemicals.  

  d. snake (there are devices that are supposed to use water pressure that look a little risky to me)

  e. disassemble of the plumbing drain system

3 exceptions  

  a. for the main house drain use a larger snake only

  b. for a toilet use a toilet auger (closet auger)

  c. for a bathtub you operate through the overflow.

There are a number of reasons that drains become "problem drains"  Sometimes these will have to be fixed for the drain to work at all and sometimes you will be able to limp along having to clean it out occasionally:

1. you are putting stuff down the drain that it can't handle.  

  a. use a hair trap

  b. throw that stuff away instead. (Paint, plaster, rubber, latex, metal, cloth, wood or plastic objects, sanitary supplies, too much grease or soap)

2. the plumber was an artist and created a lovely design instead of going for the shortest route possible.  While very creative all those turns limit the flow.  

3. venting is improperly done or not present. (pipe gurgles or glugs, sewer smell and/or it can reduce flow)

4. piping is improperly sized or goes from large to small.

5. the pipe is pitched wrong (older homes that have settled a lot) or, especially with pvc that was not supported properly and, has a belly in it.

6. the piping is old and especially galvanized that is attracting water deposits.  

I have seen a snake push through the side of a rotted pipe or separate a poor connection.  But in both of these cases there was a problem that was only revealed by the snaking.  

Plumbing is one of those things that are harder to do at a distance.  A plumber will come with his experienced eye to your home and try and discern your problem.    Save your lye for another day.  Call a plumber it sounds like you need some work on your pipes.

Answer 2

don't use lye!!! I had to break drain due to lye solidifying and it was no fun. Lye got on me every time I hit drain with hammer, and it took me twice as long to fix cause I had to get it off in a hurry.Call a plumber and get it done correctly. Chances are it won't stop up on you for another 15 years if snaked properly