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I'm currently thinking of renting an electric motorized snake to clear a 1 1/2 inch kitchen sink drain in my apartment block, but I have never done this before. So, I'm hoping to get some basic instructions from anyone in here who has.

The building is a three storey apartment block so that three kitchen sinks all discharge into the same near horizontal drain pipe in the crawl space under the building. I will be running the snake into the kitchen sink drain pipe on the bottom floor and running hot water in the kitchen sink of the main floor (cuz the kitchen sink on the bottom floor is currently out).

When I have seen plumbers do this, the basic procedure as I recall is to run the snake into the drain pipe and back out again just to break up the blockage. Then they start the water running and run the snake in and out a second time so that the running water carries away the crud that's been scraped off the drain pipe walls.
Is it normally necessary to go further than 25 feet down the drain line to clear the blockage from a kitchen sink? I can rent either a 25 foot snake or a 50 foot snake, and my feeling is that most of the crud would accumulate at the beginning of the near-horizontal section of drain piping in my crawl space. I'm hoping a 25 foot snake will clear the partially clogged section.

Any knowledgeable/experienced input would be appreciated.


25' should do it. You are going to be in close quarters if you are under the kitchen sink. Try to plan ahead on your movements. I try use the on button with my knee or toe but make sure you can release the pressure right quick. Another important part is the gloves, best if old work gloves, don't hold the cable tight, let it ride on your hand. The cable will grab your glove very quickly. This isn't rocket science but they can break bones. I've used them maybe 20 times and its not enough. The pro's make it look easier then it is

Posted under Plumbing

I am having a hard time determining the next potential source for a problem i am having with my kitchen sink and am looking for thoughts/ideas.

My kitchen sink is not draining (unless i run the garbage disposal, this seems to put enough pressure on the water to force it down). originally i thought it was the GD as it was very old, so i replaced it. yet the problem returned with the new GD. i ran a snake all the way to the stack and can find no blocking. i have disassembled and reassembled the kitchen plumbing and new GD several times and can find no blockage or reasonable explanation for the backup.

When i run the water after draining the trap, it takes about 45 seconds before the water backs up, but once it does, afterwards its immediate every time.

no other plumbing in the house is backing up or holding water.

I do have construction going on in my upstairs bathroom, where the toilet drain, shower drain, and sink drain are open, but i cannot imagine this would cause any issues, though i cannot recall if my issue began at the time construction began.

I also have trouble thinking its the drain stack as i would expect the problem to manifest in other areas of the house.

Help, anybody, somebody...i need ideas on where to go next (besides calling a plumber) as i dont think this is rocket science, just that i am missing some essential understanding or piece of information.


Your line is clogged downstream. The GD has the effect of acting like a "pump" and it will cram a lot of water down there, which often backs up into the sink when you turn it off. It will not clear the clog. You need a good snake in the hands of a professional.

Posted under Plumbing