Sink/Garbage disposal backup

[The Other Mike]

Have a 2 bowl sink...one side has a disposal and the other doesn't. We keep experiencing water backing up into both sides of the sink. I took apart the plumbing underneath and there didn't seem to be any clogs. If the sink is backed up, I'll run the disposal and water will disappear from that side of the sink but come up the other side. The only way to get the water down is to plug the non-disposal side and use a plunger on the disposal side and do this about 1/2 dozen times. It almost seems like there's some kind of vacuum occuring but I'm not much of a plumber and don't know what to do. Any advice on what could be happening?

[Casino Knight]

Its the sink line thats plugged. Snake it out

[Lawrence]

didn't seem to be any clogs. If the sink is backed up, I'll run the disposal and water will

You say there doesn't seem to be any clogs but what did you actually check? first of all, check the trap. it is the part underneath the sink which is U-shaped and is designed to be easily dissasebled without tools. It is A clog could be there but probably not. You check it first because it is easy to check.

Downstream from the trap, underneath the sink, there should be a fitting called a cleanout. It is designed so that you can check the line for clogs without having to go through the sink or the trap. You get a tool called a snake which is a flexible wire coil that can be pushed through the line to check for clogs and to pull them out. Most clogs are hair, food, baby wipes, sanitary napkins and the like.

I have cleaned a few lines out in my time and at one place I pulled out seven such clogs, mostly hair. I have a 50 foot snake. At anothere place we had to end up calling a real plumber who used a tiny camera to look into the line. It was determined that the clog was tree roots growning into the line between the house and the street. they had to dig up the yard to fix it. good luck.

[Joe]

You have some good advice from other posts, but to make sure it's only a drainage problem be sure to check that your system is properly vented and the venting is open. DIY plumbing installations are often found without vents and can cause symptyoms like yours. HTH

Joe

[The Other Mike]

I took apart as much of the plumbing as I could which includes the trap. The trap goes up into another pipe which is about twice the diameter of the trap pipe that goes straight to the basement...that's where I stopped.

Another poster menti>You say there doesn't seem to be any clogs but what did you actually >check?

[Lawrence]

there is a vent which is connected to the plumbing. It can be connected almost anywhere but typically near the bathroom it connects inside a wall. some call it a vent stack since it almost always exits throught the roof and allows air into the system. If you look up on your roof you will see an open pipe exiting the roof. the system will not drain unless air can get into that pip. just like putting your finger over the opening on a straw, liquid cannot escape. The vent is usually just an open pipe so it is easy for an animal to get in there and die or maybe build a nest. the vent can be snaked just like the main line. You can also attempt to flush it with a garden hose. also, when remodels are done and fixtures are added, sufficient attention to increased venting can be overlooked. Try to snake the line under the sink first. You can rent one at any rental store. I have had bad luck with rentals and eventually bought a tool like this:

[tim1198]

You have a clog downstream from your sink. It can't be the vent, otherwise you would have been having this exact problem all along. Call a plumber or rent a 50' snake from HD. good luck

The Other Mike wrote: