I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it kept
recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig it up and
install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the pipe.
I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around the pipe
big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.
That was 6 years ago, I'm still beaming about it.
Mike :-)

On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:02:25 -0600, "Mike" wrote:

I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it kept
recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig it up and
install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the pipe.
I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around the pipe
big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.
That was 6 years ago, I'm still beaming about it.
Mike :-)


Ah, you were definitely smiled upon by the home improvement gods that
day! But be careful, because they are a foul and crabby lot and they
will place a water pipe behind ever hole you drill from now on if you
displease them in any way!

Paul F.

On 1/16/2010 16:02, Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it kept
recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig it up and
install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the pipe.
I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around the pipe
big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.

Congratulations on finding the cleanout. That will save you labor
expenses when your main sewer line needs service. But with the trouble
you described (water backing up in the kitchen sink) if the stoppage was
was beyond that cleanout point and that drain line served lower fixtures
such as a bathroom on the same or lower level, you would have water
backing up there. Chances are the clog is occurring at the point where
the 2-inch kitchen and laundry lines drain into the bigger main line.

Paul Franklin wrote:
On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:02:25 -0600, "Mike" wrote:

I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began
overflowing. When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill
with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it
kept recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig
it up and install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the
pipe.
I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around the pipe
big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.
That was 6 years ago, I'm still beaming about it.
Mike :-)


Ah, you were definitely smiled upon by the home improvement gods that
day! But be careful, because they are a foul and crabby lot and they
will place a water pipe behind ever hole you drill from now on if you
displease them in any way!


Too true!

Bob wrote:
On 1/16/2010 16:02, Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began
overflowing. When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill
with water. I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but
it
kept recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig
it up and install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the
pipe. I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around
the pipe big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.

Congratulations on finding the cleanout. That will save you labor
expenses when your main sewer line needs service. But with the
trouble you described (water backing up in the kitchen sink) if the
stoppage was was beyond that cleanout point and that drain line
served lower fixtures such as a bathroom on the same or lower level,
you would have water backing up there. Chances are the clog is
occurring at the point where the 2-inch kitchen and laundry lines
drain into the bigger main line.

I don't think he's worrying about it anymore.

my happiest day?? discovering that rocksalt kills tree roots

The entire line was inspected by camera, terracotta pipe with tree
roots everywhere. This was over 10 years ago.

Copper sulphate was expensive as root killer.

Hey how about ROCK SALT?

nearly dirt cheap it kllls roots leaves trees unharmed is eay to do
and near FREE.

i came up with idea since salt kills grass.

Bob wrote:
On 1/16/2010 16:02, Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began
overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it kept
recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig it up and
install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the pipe.
I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around the pipe
big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.

Congratulations on finding the cleanout. That will save you labor
expenses when your main sewer line needs service. But with the trouble
you described (water backing up in the kitchen sink) if the stoppage was
was beyond that cleanout point and that drain line served lower fixtures
such as a bathroom on the same or lower level, you would have water
backing up there. Chances are the clog is occurring at the point where
the 2-inch kitchen and laundry lines drain into the bigger main line.

I was shopping for a new washer several years ago and found one with an
"automatic" lint filter. I asked what that was and how to clean it.
The sales person told me that the filter cleans itself and flushes into
the drain line. I could never figure out the expected benefit, but
could think of a few problems it might cause.

wrote:
Bob wrote:
On 1/16/2010 16:02, Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began
overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it
kept recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line,
dig it up and install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out
the pipe. I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole
around the pipe big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer
pipe. Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.

Congratulations on finding the cleanout. That will save you labor
expenses when your main sewer line needs service. But with the
trouble you described (water backing up in the kitchen sink) if the
stoppage was was beyond that cleanout point and that drain line
served lower fixtures such as a bathroom on the same or lower level,
you would have water backing up there. Chances are the clog is
occurring at the point where the 2-inch kitchen and laundry lines
drain into the bigger main line.

I was shopping for a new washer several years ago and found one with
an "automatic" lint filter. I asked what that was and how to clean
it. The sales person told me that the filter cleans itself and
flushes into the drain line. I could never figure out the expected
benefit, but could think of a few problems it might cause.

Kind-of defeats the whole purpose of a lint filter, you think?

On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:13:27 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

wrote:
Bob wrote:
On 1/16/2010 16:02, Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began
overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it
kept recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line,
dig it up and install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out
the pipe. I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole
around the pipe big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer
pipe. Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.

Congratulations on finding the cleanout. That will save you labor
expenses when your main sewer line needs service. But with the
trouble you described (water backing up in the kitchen sink) if the
stoppage was was beyond that cleanout point and that drain line
served lower fixtures such as a bathroom on the same or lower level,
you would have water backing up there. Chances are the clog is
occurring at the point where the 2-inch kitchen and laundry lines
drain into the bigger main line.

I was shopping for a new washer several years ago and found one with
an "automatic" lint filter. I asked what that was and how to clean
it. The sales person told me that the filter cleans itself and
flushes into the drain line. I could never figure out the expected
benefit, but could think of a few problems it might cause.

Kind-of defeats the whole purpose of a lint filter, you think?

I thought that too at first, but then it occurred to me that the lint
filter's main purpose is to remove the lint from the water so it
doesn't settle back on the clothes as little wads of, well, lint.

So having it automatically flush it down the drain saves you having to
clean the filter, and probably doesn't hurt anything unless you have a
septic system, in which case it would be a real bad idea.

Paul F.

Paul Franklin wrote:
On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:13:27 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

wrote:
Bob wrote:
On 1/16/2010 16:02, Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began
overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it
kept recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line,
dig it up and install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out
the pipe. I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole
around the pipe big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer
pipe. Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.
Congratulations on finding the cleanout. That will save you labor
expenses when your main sewer line needs service. But with the
trouble you described (water backing up in the kitchen sink) if the
stoppage was was beyond that cleanout point and that drain line
served lower fixtures such as a bathroom on the same or lower level,
you would have water backing up there. Chances are the clog is
occurring at the point where the 2-inch kitchen and laundry lines
drain into the bigger main line.
I was shopping for a new washer several years ago and found one with
an "automatic" lint filter. I asked what that was and how to clean
it. The sales person told me that the filter cleans itself and
flushes into the drain line. I could never figure out the expected
benefit, but could think of a few problems it might cause.
Kind-of defeats the whole purpose of a lint filter, you think?

I thought that too at first, but then it occurred to me that the lint
filter's main purpose is to remove the lint from the water so it
doesn't settle back on the clothes as little wads of, well, lint.

So having it automatically flush it down the drain saves you having to
clean the filter, and probably doesn't hurt anything unless you have a
septic system, in which case it would be a real bad idea.

Paul F.


I'd much rather have what little lint there is come off in the washer or
dryer than be flushed into plumbing to clog up a drain )

I can always spot the features designed by new engineers on their first
day at work....like the "temp control" on my d--- Kenmore washer. Our
hot water is termed that only because it comes from the faucet with an
"H" on it....only a tiny bit too warm to shower with only h. If I set
the temp control on the washer to "hot" (that's what the dial says), it
squirts off and on constantly while filling to start/stop cold water.
Drives me nuts, but rarely use "h" for laundry.

On Jan 16, 8:54*pm, " wrote:
my happiest day?? discovering that rocksalt kills tree roots

The entire line was inspected by camera, terracotta pipe with tree
roots everywhere. This was over 10 years ago.

Copper sulphate was expensive as root killer.

Hey how about ROCK SALT?

nearly dirt cheap it kllls roots leaves trees unharmed is eay to do
and near FREE.

i came up with idea since salt kills grass.

Someone gave me this tip after my lines clogged about 6 times in 2
years. Color me skeptical. Then I tried it, and have had no clogs
for the past year. And my house is +100 years old, God only knows
what the sewer lines look like.

Which brings me to my actual contribution to this discussion. I had
no cleanout for my lines. Sewer snakers beefed every time they came
out. I mentioned it to my pal from DPW (if you own an old home, get a
pal in DPW, by the way), he came over a couple days later with old,
old, OLD hand-drawn maps of my lot and found THREE cleanouts in about
10 minutes. One had been covered by the deck, two were covered by
flower beds, about 3 feet down. A friend helped me dig down to one of
them and we installed an extension last summer, so now I have a
cleanout. Just in case I forget to buy salt

So, ask around before you dig, if you don't have the OP's luck, and it
might make the job a lot easier.

Jo Ann

On Jan 17, 5:09�pm, Jo Ann wrote:
On Jan 16, 8:54�pm, " wrote:

my happiest day?? discovering that rocksalt kills tree roots

The entire line was inspected by camera, terracotta pipe with tree
roots everywhere. This was over 10 years ago.

Copper sulphate was expensive as root killer.

Hey how about ROCK SALT?

nearly dirt cheap it kllls roots leaves trees unharmed is eay to do
and near FREE.

i came up with idea since salt kills grass.

Someone gave me this tip after my lines clogged about 6 times in 2
years. �Color me skeptical. �Then I tried it, and have had no clogs
for the past year. � And my house is +100 years old, God only knows
what the sewer lines look like.

Which brings me to my actual contribution to this discussion. �I had
no cleanout for my lines. �Sewer snakers beefed every time they came
out. �I mentioned it to my pal from DPW (if you own an old home, get a
pal in DPW, by the way), he came over a couple days later with old,
old, OLD hand-drawn maps of my lot and found THREE cleanouts in about
10 minutes. �One had been covered by the deck, two were covered by
flower beds, about 3 feet down. �A friend helped me dig down to one of
them and we installed an extension last summer, so now I have a
cleanout. �Just in case I forget to buy salt

So, ask around before you dig, if you don't have the OP's luck, and it
might make the job a lot easier.

Jo Ann

my terracota lines had roots at every joint but one.

when they did the camera thing there was a Y that me and the plumber
had no idea where it came from, it was packed full of roots coming out
from it.

then by accident I overheard a conversation between the president of
the sewer company trying to get fed funds to upgrade the sewer plant
when it rains.

He reported that all the brown and vaughns homes built it the early
50s had a gravel bed with a sewer line connecting to it, so there
would be not wet basement troubles. this would never pass building
inspection rules today. and leads to flooded sewer plant. which
ultimately was tripled in size tpo prevent raw seweage discharge.

the rock salt works great

Mike wrote:
I lived in the house about 9 years and the washer drain began overflowing.
When the washer emptied the kitchen sinks would fill with water.
I used drain cleaner a few times and it helped the problem, but it kept
recuring. So I finally decided I would find the sewer line, dig it up and
install a cleanout. This would allow me to snake out the pipe.
I figured it would be a weekend job, digging a hole around the pipe
big enough to cut and install the cleanout.
I used a 1/4" rod and probed the yard until I found the sewer pipe.
Had the pipe pretty well marked out and was ready to dig.
I took out the sod and 2 shovels of dirt before I hit the----
CLEANOUT.
That was 6 years ago, I'm still beaming about it.
Mike :-)

I'd still be smiling too!