Water from upstairs sink coming up in downstairs sink

[Michael Desta]

I registered an account to ask this questions, and hopefully someone on this forum can help me out. I live on the first floor of a 2 story apartment building. It seems that the water from upstairs is coming up in our kitchen sink. Our bathroom is fine, and nothing comes up when we flush the toilet or take a shower. I drew up a diagram of how I think it works, but this is just how I make sense of it in my head. I am no plumber by any means, or have any working knowledge of how plumbing systems work, so bear with me on the drawing. Please let me know what you guys think, or if you have any questions. Thank you.

 

[Asktom]

The drains shouldn't be run the way you show, but they do connect and the drain is clogged after that happens. The drain needs to be cleaned. There should be a clean-out.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

quote; The drains shouldn't be run the way you show,

His drawing is simplistic, but it IS how a two story sink stack would be run, either with a revent or without depending on his code., or if he lives in Philadelphia.

 

[Asktom]

My point was how the problem needs to be solved.

You should see how my drains are run! - a rural Montana house built (in an area where the only required inspections were on wells and septics) by a non-plumber.

 

[Michael Desta]

Thank you for the replies. I live in Nashville, TN. Would taking out the P-trap and putting a snake inside be a good idea to clean the drain?

 

[Terry]

Thank you for the replies. I live in Nashville, TN. Would taking out the P-trap and putting a snake inside be a good idea to clean the drain?

That works!

 

[Michael Desta]

I appreciate everyone's input. The problem seems to be fixed now, using the method above (it took every bit of a 50ft. snake). We don't have to wash dishes in the bathroom sink anymore!