At what point does the kitchen waste pipe meet the sewage?

seatbeltnoob

Hi


I have been dealing with a really slow tap drain in the kitchen for a very logn time. I got a pressure washer attachments that is advertised to completely clean out pipes (unlike snaking which just punches a hole through the crud).


My worry is getting carried away and blowing too far in and dipping into the sewage, the pipe is 8 meter long.


Just curious as to what are the chances of that happing?


or are they completely isolated from each other in case of a block up and backflow?

Head_The_Ball

That will vary from property to property.

In my case, the kitchen waste goes through the wall, down and sideways about a meter and then drops down into an open drain. That means it has no direct connection with the waste from the rest of the house (three toilets and two bathrooms, utility room etc)

However your property may be completely different.

Can you describe how the waste pipes are set up in your house?

Before using a pressure washer, you might want to start with checking the trap under the kitchen sink. That may be blocked and causing the problem.

If that is clear then I would suggest that you use a flexible rod (snake as you call it) and then drain cleaner before a pressure washer. You are risking making a complete mess with pressured water and a blockage.

Hoploz

Have you checked your nearby inspection hatches to ensure they are clear?

Kiran

As above, start by lifting the covers. My guess would be the blockage is in your smaller diameter waste pipes not the 4" outside. I don't know exactly what attachment you have but these are normally only used on below ground drainage. I.e. the larger diameter pipes. You fund the risk of blowing or dislodging the joints on internal waste is they are push or compression fittings.

seatbeltnoob

I dont know how to lift the covers, and my biggest fear of even trying this is lifting up and being greet by warm sewage smell.

I did my pressure washer pipe cleaner method and unblocked it. The pipe was blocked up with fats, the drain cleaner pulled out some large chunks of fats from the blocked area. The water is flowing like a charm now.

My pressure washer isn't very powerful so it was able to quickly break down the fatberg in the pipe. I ordered a 8m snake to poke a hole through the fat then the pressure washer hose can be sent in to clear up the rest.

I think its worth locating the exterior inspection holes though, the pressure washer hose is designed to work backwards, it has 4 jets squirting backwards, and 1 just pointing forwards. Entering the pipe from under the sink means the crud will be pulled out uphill and create a mess in the property.

the pressure isn't so high that it will break the pipes. In fact based on the comments on plumber/tradesmen forums this method is far safer to do that drain unblockers as the chemicals can corrode pipes and weaken them.