Frequently Asked Questions: Drains
- Drains overflow with soap suds when the washing machine pumps out water:
- The washing machine’s drain line may be too close to another fixture’s drain line. The high rate of water pumped out by the washing machine forces the soap suds through the path of least resistance (another fixture’s drain line). To prevent this problem, some plumbing codes require washing machines, kitchen sinks, showers, and dishwasher lines should be connected 5’or farther down from any branch of fixture drains.
If you have a septic tank, it may need to be pumped out. Also check the baffle where the main drain line enters the tank to make sure it is not blocked. Other possibilities are that the sewer pipe outside your home could have a break in it, a septic tank drain field could be frozen, or there could be blockage in the main drain. If the lowest fixture in your house overflows, then there are a few possibilities for your problem. Your main drain line water drain may be interrupted by a caved in pipe, or possibly tree roots have blocked it. The best way to check is to have a plumber scope out the drain lines with a video camera. Ask your plumber if they perform this type of service and have them record the video to show you what was found.- The shower drains too slow:
- Most likely the drain is plugged and the water begins to backup while taking a shower. First, remove the drain plug, if one is installed, and remove any hair or debris that may collect on the cross members of the drain flange. You may also try chemical products to dissolve the clog. If chemical products do not work, use a small snake to unclog the drain and flush with hot water when the clog is removed. If you have decide to hire a plumber to unclog your drain, inform them that you have used chemicals so the plumber can use precautions necessary to prepare the equipment so that it is not damaged.
- Trying to snake a bathtub drain:
- If you want to get a run a snake into a bathtub drain, you’re going to have to remove the overflow plate or the drain cross member. Snakes cannot be pushed through the drain hole at the bottom of the tub. The overflow plate is the cover that is located on the wall of the tub. Some tubs have a stopper mechanism that will come attached with the plate. Others have the push type plug that screws into the drain. The drain backup could be caused by hair caught on the overflow stopper. If this is the case, the snake may not be necessary. Next, try running the water for a minute and see if the drain clears. If not, then run the snake through the overflow to remove any debris.
- Leaking bathtub drain:
- You will likely have to remove the drain flange from the drain. It will have crosshairs, where you can unscrew it using a tool called a spud wrench. If you do not have this tool you could try using the handles of a channel locks. If you remove the drain flange, remove the old plumber’s putty then continue to remove the clog. When you are ready to replace the drain flange, clean it thoroughly and put a fresh bead of plumber's putty between the shoe, the part with the female threads, and the underside of the tub. It’s okay for the putty to squeeze out the sides. It ensures a water tight seal.
- Do blocked vents affect water from draining?
- A vent lets air into a plumbing system. Without vents, a vacuum will be created and water will simply bubble out of the fixture and possibly create clogs because of the slow draining action. A toilet might not flush waste out of the bowl or a sink or shower may not properly drain if a vent is blocked. Fill a soda bottle with water and turn it upside down. You will see how air is pulled into the bottle from the vacuum created from the water leaving the bottle thus temporarily blocking the water flow. This is what happens when your plumbing ventilation is clogged.
Fix Clogged Drains
Water Heater Maintenance
