Sudden toilet drain clog. I'm hesitant to push it through.

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Pman6

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Old house built in 1966. Cast iron drain pipes.

Toilet clog is causing kitchen, laundry, bathroom sink/shower to back up.

Whatever the tenant flushed down is big enough to completely block the pipe.

If I push it through, I'm afraid it will clog the main line, especially if the main line is gunked up due to old age.

Should I be worried?
How much wider is the main line compared to the toilet drain?




Also, a plumber just happened to be in the neighborhood, and he told me that oils and gunk from the kitchen sink can clog the toilet drain over time.

But if everything was draining just fine, and massive poops flushed just fine, would that not suggest something unflushable was suddenly caught in the drain? not some gradual gunk blockage from the smaller drain pipes of the sink and laundry room?
 

Reach4

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Toilet clog is causing kitchen, laundry, bathroom sink/shower to back up.
That would not happen.

Get a drain cleaning specialist out.

If you have septic that you have not had pumped in a while, get that sucked out.
 

Dj2

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There is a trap inside the toilet, and it's not clogged.
The clog is in the main sewer line.
Should you be worried? - you bet, this is your house, isn't it?
Get a drain plumber or rent a machine to free the clog.
A drain specialist can even tell you what kind of clog you have.
Some clogs caused by a tenant should not be your responsibility, you can charge them for the cleaning. Examples: Children toys, cloth, diapers, facial tissue or even a pencil.
 

Pman6

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There is a trap inside the toilet, and it's not clogged.
The clog is in the main sewer line.

Some clogs caused by a tenant should not be your responsibility, you can charge them for the cleaning. Examples: Children toys, cloth, diapers, facial tissue or even a pencil.


exactly. I'm making the tenant find a plumber.


I forgot to mention that water backflowed through the base of the toilet, so the wax ring is busted.

If I pour a gallon of water down the toilet, it quickly flows out of the toilet bolts in the floor.

That tells me the clog isn't too far downstream of the toilet.
 

Reach4

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exactly. I'm making the tenant find a plumber.


I forgot to mention that water backflowed through the base of the toilet, so the wax ring is busted.

If I pour a gallon of water down the toilet, it quickly flows out of the toilet bolts in the floor.

That tells me the clog isn't too far downstream of the toilet.
Balderdash.
Toilet clog is causing kitchen, laundry, bathroom sink/shower to back up.
That tells you that, if this a single clog, that clog is not near the toilet. It is downstream of all of those things you mentioned.

exactly. I'm making the tenant find a plumber.
That seems wrong also.

Does this house have a septic tank?
 

Jeff H Young

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plumber tells him one thing but he aint having that . now its tenants fault ha ha
 

Pman6

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Balderdash.

That tells you that, if this a single clog, that clog is not near the toilet. It is downstream of all of those things you mentioned.


That seems wrong also.

Does this house have a septic tank?

no. goes straight to the sewer.


you could be right, there might be a lot of standing water in the toilet drain pipe.

maybe tenant took a big shit.
Maybe their toddler threw toys in the toilet. or paper towels.


We'll see what caused the clog when we remove the toilet to replace the wax ring.

All I know is, 10 years, no one has ever clogged this toilet pipe until now. It's got a strong flush, so the pipe gets good flow.
 
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Pman6

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plumber tells him one thing but he aint having that . now its tenants fault ha ha

it's likely the tenant's fault.

~2 years ago, I hired a plumber to bust a bath tub clog. It was completely stopped with hair.
Since then, they've used a hair catcher.
 

Jeff H Young

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I dont think its that cut and dry Tenants fault. I know If I was the tennant Id ask plumber his professional opinion, and if he couldnt conclude that it was my fault. Id deduct the entire amount from my rent. which you should be 100 percent ok with.
 

Mr tee

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You don't have to worry that something flushed down the toilet could clog up the main line, it is already stopped up. If a flushed item added to the clog it is because it got caught in roots, or added to a collection at the site of a broken pipe or bellied line. It certainly was not the whole problem.
 

Pman6

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I dont think its that cut and dry Tenants fault. I know If I was the tennant Id ask plumber his professional opinion, and if he couldnt conclude that it was my fault. Id deduct the entire amount from my rent. which you should be 100 percent ok with.


i mean it just doesn't make sense-
the tenant said everything was working 100% the day before.
Kitchen, bath, laundry, all flowing, no slowing. For the last 9 years.

Then suddenly a full stoppage on Sunday.
something big enough to stop a 3" line on short notice?

Just going by what tenant described.... what reasonable explanations are there?
 

Reach4

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Just going by what tenant described.... what reasonable explanations are there?
Problem appeared Sunday. Are you saying that is not your problem, and let the tenant call a drain cleaner?

Are you eager to be rid of this tenant?
 

Pman6

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Problem appeared Sunday. Are you saying that is not your problem, and let the tenant call a drain cleaner?

Are you eager to be rid of this tenant?


i'm not saying the tenant is bad, but I wouldn't mind getting rid of this tenant, as a replacement tenant is easily found.


Anyway, PROBLEM SOLVED

today I brought my snake and drill over there.... and guess what ??

a big wad of Huggies baby ass wipes clogged the line. My snake luckily grabbed onto it and pulled it out.
I tested the drain with a hose on full blast, and it drains beautifully now.

You were right, the clog was further downstream.


Again, not my problem, but this one is free.

2 years ago I paid a plumber $250 to bust their hair clog.
This time it was my sweat equity.

Next time they're calling the drain specialist. Yes sir.

My lease contract has a plumbing clause that says they're responsible for any clogs that are not caused by tree roots, and we don't have any trees.
 

Jeff H Young

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I don't know I think its a touchy subject I am a plumber and do some drain cleaning but I can't always tell whose fault it is.
1966 failing plumbing may come with maintenance costs . the reason an owner gets to depreciate the building has a reason, the doors wear out , the roofs need replacing etc. you ever jetted all the lines or its got 60 years of accumulation, how about a waste repipe you done that yet? could you rent a car to someone and never put tires on it? the engine going to last a million miles .
Just my opinion but if you can't prove he screwed it up it's on you. proof is burden of landlord
 
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