Plumbing HELP!

[Ideapimp]

Sorry for the off topic post, but I thought someone out there might know a decent plumber or at least have some clue as to what the hell just happened at my house.

I'll be the first to admit - I know NOTHING about the mysteries of plumbing.

We were running the washing machine and I heard this bubbling coming from the kitchen sink. I walk in there to see water bubbling up from the drain and rising. I quickly threw the switch for the disposal and the water receded. But I had a hunch, so I ran into the laundry room. Sure enough - water all over the floor. Seems to have backed up from the drain pipe behind the washing machine.

Sooooo, WTF? I could sorta understand that line being clogged and it flooding my laundry room, but why the sink thing? What the hell just happened? I'm scared to run the rest of this load of laundry.

[Duc Fever]

I am not really a plumber but I have had my share of "ordeals" so heres my 2cents.

All the drains in your house end up in the main drain line so they all intersect at various points on the way there.  Sounds like you have a clog just past the laundry drain and the kitchen drain is before the laundry drain so they will back up together.  first out the laundry drain then the kitchen then whatever is upstream from the kitchen.  I would probably run a snake down the laundry drain and see if it gets anything.  It is pretty common for there to be a cleanout at that point (in the laundry drain line)

Hope that makes sense.

[Ideapimp]

Yeah, after my googling, I think I'd tend to agree with you. Problem is. I don't have a snake and I'm not completely sure what a "cleanout" is. I have a vague idea. Seems like it'd be some sort of an inlet into the drain line, but I'm really just guessing. I told you I knew nothing about plumbing.

So, it seems I either have a trip to Home Depot in my near future or possibly a quick plumber call. I was thinking of having one come out and replace a fixture in my second bath anyway. Maybe I'll get a combo deal....yeah right.

Anyone know a good/cheap plumber?

[cdc]

What he said. 

I've seen clean outs just outside the exterior wall closest to the street or one with a direct bead to the street to the sewer line under the street.  Big 4 inch pipe with a screwed on cover and a square raised piece in the center on which the big pipe wrench fits to unscrew the cover.

The plumber charges counting the time he leaves his place of business to the time he leaves your house.  Prepare to bend over.

***

[fastwin]

Ryan,

Here's the name of an independent plumber/AC/electrician guy I use all the time. My brother in law turned me on to him several years ago. He is a very nice guy, extremely trust worthy, devout Catholic (if that means anything...). I just turned him loose on my best friend's house with a major AC problem, he spent 2 days getting it fixed. My friend said he was very reasonable and was really impressed. He has done the same clogged drain work for us several times due to Jen's hair blocking the shower drain and causing very similar problems.

His name is Jim Boshart at 972-571-4101. Tell him you are my friend and that I referred him to you. He's also very prompt if he's not knee deep in some other work.

Brian Bilbo

[Cyclone]

You probably already have someone over snaking your pipes ( hopefully Brian's guy - he sounds great) but if not, we had an OK experience with AAA Auger - they have discount coupons in the back of the yellow pages for inspection and auger service.  It was about $200 with the discount and included a 30 day guarantee that we used when it clogged again after about 2 weeks.  It has been fine since then but we had exactly your symptoms.  You could purchase a snake at Lowes but these guys have really long & heavy duty augers and video cams to check the pipes - hope it was just a clog !

[fastwin]

Yeah, the heavy duty professional augers kick butt. Jim usually gets on top of the roof and goes in via the rooftop vent pipes to get to our favorite clogs. Works like a charm and he bascially charges a lowkey service call rate. If Jen didn't loose more hair in a day than I have on my head we would never have a problem! If I lost that much hair everyday I would have been bald when I was 6 years old. I keep threatening to save it all off the floor and get it made into a ponytail extension!

[Ideapimp]

I spoke with the guy who put in all the pipes on the house. He's very reasonable and said he'd come check it out for me. The builder recommended him and said he shouldn't charge more than about $60 to help me out.

So, we'll see.

[bryant8]

Did you drop a Dzus? and clog it up?

[Duc L'Smart]

TMI

[greenohawk69]

Did you drop a Dzus? and clog it up?

+2...he dropped a duece  and his blaming it on her hair.   

[Ideapimp]

+2...he dropped a duece  and his blaming it on her hair.   

Actually, I'm blaming it on BOTH of our hair. You've seen the fro, no?

[fastwin]

I'd give anything for a Side Show Bob fro! It sucks being folically challenged. But no helmet hair, ever... got that going for me.

[Duc L'Smart]

But no helmet hair, ever... got that going for me.

Must be nice...

[caffeinejunkee]

But no helmet hair, ever... got that going for me.

Put those comb and brush makers out of business...