Garbage Disposal Clog

[Iris]

Any advice out there? I really don't want to call a plumber.

When I run my garbage disposal both sides of the sink fill up. I removed the elbow and drained and ran both sides and they drained fine. But when I reassemble and run the disposal it fills up again. I can use the sink, but not with disposal running. A friend said it sounds like the disposal itself is clogged.

I used baking soda with vinegar (internet alternative to Drano) twice and it didn't fix it.

Any other suggestions out there?

[Elk]

Are both sink drain lines connected together to one outlet. Meaning one side of the sink should connect to the other at a Tee. Then the one drain line attaches to the trap/drain coming in from the wall or floor.

If both sinks are filling and you have only one outlet to the drain line like I described (or at least tried to) above, it sounds like your blockage may be at the trap or further down the line.

Pull off the trap (U shaped piece) and make sure it is clear.

[Iris]

The U-shaped piece is clear. I will check on how it connects and see if thats my problem. Thanks.

[crazylady]

Open the drain plug on the outside of your house (the other side of the sink).  Run a snake up there to loosen the clog.  You might want to move it back and forth a few times.  The clog probably isnt in the trap but in the wall.

[Iris]

Would this be the cap that is on the ground, about 4 inches wide or so? If it is, I opened it and it goes straight down about a few feet and it looks like there is water in there at the bottom.

[crazylady]

Yes that is the one.  Put the snake in and really give it a whirl.  It should go all the way and not stop.  If it does stop then that is your clog.  The water is normal.

[Iris]

Alright, I have tried to snake the drain to no avail. I think at this point I am forced to call a plumber...

[Moose]

I removed the elbow and drained and ran both sides and they drained fine. But when I reassemble and run the disposal it fills up again. I can use the sink, but not with disposal running

From your original post it really sounds like the DISPOSAL is clogged and not the line.

What happens if you put a  bucket under the disposal, disconnect the elbow from it and run water through it from the top, does it come out into the bucket. 

The cap on the ground may be the cleanout that goes to the septic tank.  Cleanouts for the house plumbing are usually up higher I thought, not at ground level.

[clint]

Do you have a dishwasher? Dishwashers drain directly in the disposal. If the air vent hose is clogged that will cause what you are describing.

[Iris]

I wish I had a dishwasher :-)

The water is slowly draining now, which makes me think I might have disturbed the clog enough for water to move through it. I don't know. C.Ford is coming tomorrow, so I am going to try some Drano tonight and see if that works. One last attempt.

Thanks all for the help and I welcome any more suggestions.

[HUMMINGBIRD13]

 ;Dc ford  plumbing the best  will  get you  going again  fast...  ...

[Iris]

I thought I had it and cancelled the plumber call this a.m. Only to now discover that I hadn't ran the water long enough as it took longer to back up now.

I tried what Moose said and the water runs through when I disconnect the elbow. Does that mean it is not the disposal?

[Moose]

As long as it comes out of the disposal I would assume that the disposal itself is clear.

You might try bringing in the garden house, disconnect the disposal and insert the house into the drain that goes into the wall, pack a rag around the end of the pipe and have someone turn on the hose to try to flush out the clog.  Be sure to hold the rag tightly and have a bucket under the pipe because you will get some backflow.  If the water does not go down the drain that way, then the clog must be further down the line somewhere. 

Do you have problems with any other drains in the house backing up when the water is run for a long period of time?

[Iris]

Ok, I will try that. Thanks.

When you say disconnect the disposal, do you mean unplug?

Other drains are fine, it's isolated to just the kitchen sink.

[Moose]

Of course unplug from power.... Then disconnect the drain piece from the disposal or so you have put the hose directly in the pipe that eventually goes out the wall.

[Iris]

Since I had already checked all of the pipes from the disposal to the wall, I just put the hose into the exit pipe on the back wall of the sink and not a few seconds later it came back at me. I think it's safe to assume that just beyond that pipe is the problem.

I think I will try the snake one more time and if that doesn't do it, I will reschedule with the plumber.

Thanks all for the feedback!

[Bob C]

I've got one of those "balloon" thingies you connect to the end of a garden hose, insert into the pipe, and blow out the obstruction that way. They work great, and have unclogged my pipes many times over the years.

[Iris]

Well, I got it fixed on my own. Wasn't going to post this, but figured maybe a few of you could use a laugh.

I finally figured out over the weekend that the end of the snake with the coil is not to keep it from sliding through the handle and getting lost down in the pipes...but to remove my clog!! After a big laugh at myself I was able to successfully fix my problem.

THANKS again for all the help!!

[Elk]

Now that you've got it all figured out you will be able to help the next person posting for help.

Congratulations!