Every time I run the water in my kitchen sink, after a few seconds it backs up. Also happens when I run the dishwasher. A few hours later it drains out, VERY slowly. We have tried using a pipe snake to no avail, I think it's clogged really far down.
However, we have been in this house 4 years and have only just realized we may not be on city sewer but a septic tank. (the City says we aren't paying for city sewer so either we have one or we're somehow getting it free) Maybe it's plugged? But if it was wouldn't the water not be draining at all? And the other drains in the house aren't plugged like the kitchen. Help! I'm going insane and don't want to waste money on a plumber snaking the drains if it's a septic problem, and vice versa.
2007-11-26 17:17:25 · 4 answers · asked by maryanneleslie 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The line is cloged.
2007-11-26 17:38:40 · answer #1 · answered by Robert F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a clog - with septic failure you would have puddles over the tank, and sewage backing into the house - not just one sink (So if there is a strange puddle in the basement....)
Your clog might be migrating between the dishwasher and the sink. Try cleaning any traps in it.
Try boiling water down the sink, removing the bend, and snaking the main waste line under the sink. If you are that handy.
And find out if you have a septic ASAP - not having it serviced regularly can lead to failure, and that would be expensive.
added
County records should have a plan for septic if you have one, and the house description from when it was last on the market should have a note whether it has a septic or not. Also, you might ask neighbors that have lived there a long time if they have city sewer or septic. If they have septic, maybe they remember where yours is. (Though a visible cap might be ground level.)
2007-11-26 18:06:24 · answer #2 · answered by Lola 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the same problem i had. you are probably on septic and it needs to be pumped out. the reason it drains after a while is it overflows when full thus allowing a little room for your sinks or whatever to drain. try this to see , run every tap, washer , flush till it doesn't drain then check the back yard for water. you can also get someone to open the manhole cover and go down and watch while you flush a pack of dye down your toilet. if the person sees the dye coming in the manhole you know your on town sewer, if they don't then you are definatly still on septic
2007-11-27 13:27:52 · answer #3 · answered by popeye 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rent a snake from a rental and run it down the line, that should do it.
2007-11-26 23:23:25 · answer #4 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋