Help, blocked drain, no money.
May 24th 2013, 5:10 am
#16
Bon Vivant
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,956
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
However the late Irma specified "the tank". It's the title of one of the numerous humorous amusing books that she wrote. Maybe you should point out this glaring error to her estate.
End of !
May 24th 2013, 5:10 am
#17
I said what ?!
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Peterborough, Ontario.
Posts: 1,079
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
It is but I was trying to think of methods of clearing a drain from household items that may be lying around with no cost impact to Siouxe.
May 24th 2013, 5:15 am
#18
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 51,675
May 24th 2013, 5:21 am
#19
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
It could have been worse - I could have not checked the sink and ended up with a flooded basement!
Last edited by Siouxie; May 24th 2013 at 5:25 am.
May 24th 2013, 5:54 am
#20
Lowering the tone
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,417
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
May 24th 2013, 6:03 am
#21
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
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Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
Edited to add, the upstairs sink drain flows from the basement ceiling, across the ceiling then down the wall to the drainline; the sink in the basement goes horizontally along the same wall to the drainline (with a decline in the level).
Last edited by Siouxie; May 24th 2013 at 6:06 am.
May 24th 2013, 6:16 am
#22
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
The same one that the upstairs sink drains into - which is draining perfectly. That is what is so weird!
Edited to add, the upstairs sink drain flows from the basement ceiling, across the ceiling then down the wall to the drainline; the sink in the basement goes horizontally along the same wall to the drainline (with a decline in the level).
Edited to add, the upstairs sink drain flows from the basement ceiling, across the ceiling then down the wall to the drainline; the sink in the basement goes horizontally along the same wall to the drainline (with a decline in the level).
May 24th 2013, 6:17 am
#23
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,986
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
No plumbing expertise but towels, are good for mopping up excess water once you have bailed out the sink as much as you can.
May 24th 2013, 6:24 am
#26
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,614
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
Tis true, but the floor will be dry. Our plumbing issues have so far cost $225 to get the septic emptied, the pump is knackered and the dividing wall is crumbling, but at least I can have a quick (shallow) bath and go to work now....
May 24th 2013, 6:31 am
#27
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,892
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
The same one that the upstairs sink drains into - which is draining perfectly. That is what is so weird!
Edited to add, the upstairs sink drain flows from the basement ceiling, across the ceiling then down the wall to the drainline; the sink in the basement goes horizontally along the same wall to the drainline (with a decline in the level).
Edited to add, the upstairs sink drain flows from the basement ceiling, across the ceiling then down the wall to the drainline; the sink in the basement goes horizontally along the same wall to the drainline (with a decline in the level).
does the sink in the basement have an overflow outlet? If so, make sure you stuff the overflow hole with a wet rag before plunging the sink, otherwise all you're doing is cleaning out the overflow pipe.
It sounds as if the blockage is right where the horizontal run meets the stack. If the upstairs sink is draining sweetly, one thing you might try is to put the plug in the upstairs sink, then fill it up with very hot water and unplug it. That volume of water coming down the stack all at once may be enough to cause a pressure change at the junction and dislodge whatever it is blocking the basement line.
Failing that, does any of your neighbours have a drain snake you could borrow?
May 24th 2013, 6:46 am
#28
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
Siouxe, Is it your own house or do you rent? If the latter then call the landlord!
May 24th 2013, 7:21 am
#29
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,023
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
Since the sink isn't going to be drained, don't bother with Liquid Plumber or similar, it'll be diluted too much. Get one of those cans that you shove into the pipe and then bash, it kind of explodes down the pipe in the manner of a kinetic ram. That'll work under water (at least it'll work as well under water as if it wasn't under water).
May 24th 2013, 7:24 am
#30
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Help, blocked drain, no money.
Thanks for all the suggestions to date - I am trying various ones but have a feeling I am going to end up having to buy plumbers stuff to clear it.
I own the house.. starting to wish I didn't, lol.
I will ask around the neighbours to see if anyone has any tools, I have to wait until they get home this evening though.
It's obviously my day for having crap go wrong, sigh. Just got an email to say that the woman who was supposed to be revamping my website has decided not to continue after all - 11 days after signing a contract - as she 'can't use the software'. This from a woman who has a Masters in this stuff and a choice of 30 different programs she can use.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr
I have to go out shortly so won't be able to respond any more until tomorrow, but thank you everyone for your assistance and advice!
edit: Thanks dbd - will have a look at those too!
I own the house.. starting to wish I didn't, lol.
I will ask around the neighbours to see if anyone has any tools, I have to wait until they get home this evening though.
It's obviously my day for having crap go wrong, sigh. Just got an email to say that the woman who was supposed to be revamping my website has decided not to continue after all - 11 days after signing a contract - as she 'can't use the software'. This from a woman who has a Masters in this stuff and a choice of 30 different programs she can use.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr
I have to go out shortly so won't be able to respond any more until tomorrow, but thank you everyone for your assistance and advice!
edit: Thanks dbd - will have a look at those too!
