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  • Slow draining toilet plus sewage smell

    Aug.11.2010

    Don't know if this makes a difference or not, but thought I should mention that the home in this question is a 1997 Marlette, manufactured home. The problem is: slow draining toilet (won't pass solids without a plunger). It gurgles when the washer is on the spin cycle, or when either of the two showers in the house are running. I've been noticing a sewage smell outside periodically...oh, and now, when the spin cycle is running, water backs into the bathtub in the same bathroom as the other toilet (which seems to be fine). Ran a hose down the sewer vent and nothing came back at me, but it caused the toilet to gurgle...when I tried to snake the vent (both vents, actually) could only get down a few feet - as if a mechanism in the vent was preventing passage...what am I doing wrong? Thanks for your time.

    Dana, Port Orchard, WA

    Expert Answer

    It sounds like you have a few things going on here.  The first that comes to mind is the fact that you couldn’t get a plumber’s snake to pass through your vent pipes.  I would have a…

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  • Rains, then sewer backs up

    Aug.3.2010

    Every time it rains we get backup in the basement from the sewer. We have lived in this house eight years and it only started happening this year. I have had one side of the house rodded from the grease trap to the sewer with no problems. I believe something else is going on. Can you give me some ideas?

    Diahann, Chicago, IL

    Expert Answer

    The very best way to evaluate sewer backup is by using video sewer inspection which involves putting a special camera down the line so you can see…

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  • Sink clogs over and over

    Jun.30.2010

    Our sink in the kitchen keeps on clogging. When we use a snake or any type of drain clog solution it'll be okay. but afterwards it will clog again. What do we need to do?

    crisitna, san diego, CA

    Expert Answer

    It sounds like you have a large amount of grease and sludge in your pipes. Snaking and drain solutions are only temporary fixes for major grease and sludge issues. The best way to clear this out of the line is…

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  • Fixing a broken sump pump

    May.6.2010

    Can a broken sump pump be fixed? After all the rain here in Nashville I noticed about a foot of water in my crawl space. There is a sump pump in the crawl space but I'm assuming it is broken since there was that much water. I've only owned the 47-year-old house for three years and not sure when it was installed or how old it is. Are there steps I can take to see if it's broken before I call a repairman?

    Julie, Nashville, TN

    Expert Answer

    The first thing to do when your sump pump is not coming on is to make sure the breaker in your breaker box has not been tripped. If the breaker…

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  • Crawl space drain clogged

    Mar.31.2010

    The drain in my crawl space is not draining water out of the crawl space. I think that it may be clogged, which is causing water to build up in that area. Do you unclog these drains? My home is under warranty for a year. How can I go about getting this fixed?

    Russell, clayton, NC

    Expert Answer

    It is very important that no water backs up or collects under your home. ARS/Rescue Rooter will be happy to help you unclog your drain. However, if…

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  • Vent pipes cut

    Mar.4.2010

    My vent pipes are cut below my trailer which left open the toilet and bathtub backup. The washing machine drains out the one vent pipe. What can I do to fix this?

    david, tampa, FL

    Expert Answer

    Vent pipes are not designed to terminate under a mobile home. They are installed in the plumbing system to allow for air flow. This helps remove the smells from the sewer…

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  • Hydromatic sewage grinder pump

    Jan.26.2010

    I have a hydromatic sewage grinder pump. The last few days the high water alarm will go off. I guess the circuit breaker trips. If I wait a minute or so and turn the breaker on and off the pump will start and the light will go off. I have had 2 plumbers come out. One says that I need to change the breaker; the other said it could be the float switch. The previous owner had problems according to a neighbor lady, but this past week it has become a major ordeal. I am at my wit's end; afraid to wash clothes, shower, run dishwasher, etc. Any thoughts?

    Anita, Nashville, TN

    Expert Answer

    A hydromatic sewage grinder pump is a low-cost way to transport sewage and wastewater. The pump is designed to come on when a…

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  • How do I dispose of leftover Drainright Drain Maintainer?

    Apr.1.2009

    I have an old gallon of DRAIN RITE that I purchased from your company about 10 years ago. The jug sprung a leak and I put it outside inside an empty 5 gallon bucket that has since filled with water from rain and snow. The water inside the 5 gallon bucket is diluted with what has leaked from the original jug and I need to know how to dispose of the water and of the original DRAIN RITE left in the jug. Looking for how to get rid of left over product and contaminated water in bucket. Can you help on how to dispose please?

    Randy, Indinapolis, IN

    Expert Answer

    Drainright® Drain Maintainer is a professional strength, concentrated formulated that keeps drains clear by liquefying grease, soap, and other deposits before they turn into clogs. One of the great benefits of this… Read more

  • I smell a sewer smell in my washing machine

    Jan.6.2009

    Could you tell me why one would put a drain connected to the sewer system under the washing machine? To be more specific, I started smelling a sewer smell in the washing machine. After weeks of this I moved the washing machine to discover a hole/drain that was dried up that most likely runs to a sewer line. Thank you.

    karen, ogden, UT

    Expert Answer

    Good question. The drain you are describing is called a “floor drain”. In businesses they are utilized in areas that require drainage for fluids that end up on the floor – primarily in restaurants. The design of… Read more

  • How can I identify my sewer line path?

    Dec.22.2008

    Is there any way for me to find where my sewer line leaves the house and the path it takes to connect up to the city sewer system?

    Jim, Morristown, TN

    Expert Answer

    Absolutely, as long as there is proper access into the sewer line. What you need is a sewer “line location” which is a very standard procedure for most plumbing professionals. ARS/Rescue Rooter offers a service… Read more

  • Roots are clogging my sewer lines

    Sep.9.2008

    My main drain pipe keeps on getting clogged up by roots outside. I have gotten it unclogged three times over the past two years, and they keep on coming back. Would replacement stop this from happening, or is there something that can be done to stop this altogether?

    Daniel, Lindsay, OK

    Expert Answer

    Mainlines clogged with roots is by far the most common cause of blockage. Your situation is very common in older homes that may be in need of sewer line repair or replacement. The fact that you are experiencing the… Read more

  • Help! My Drain Won't Drain

    Jul.15.2008

    My tub drain is super slow and by the end of a shower, I'm standing in dirty, soapy water. I've tried plunging it. I've tried liquid clog removers. Nothing works. Is there anything else I can try?

    Stan, Denver, CO

    Expert Answer

    Stan, like it or not, we all lose hair in the shower. That loose hair gradually builds up, clumps together, and eventually, you’ll find yourself with a clogged drain. If the mass isn’t very…

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