Plumbing Toilet Tub Bath Sink Pipes Connection Problem?
Are you on a sewer, or septic system? Either way, you have a blockage between the last "device" and the "utility", in the main, cause "laundry/ kitchen, are their own branch, and toilet/shower are another branch, that meet up at the "main", which is usually the same diameter, maybe one trade size up, but not much more. So, if your blockage is in the main, water from the washer goes as far as it can, then heads up the toilet branch, compressing trapped air in the pipe, until the water in the "s" trap built into the toilet can't hold it, and its kinda like blowing into a straw. Sounds like a trip to the ol' rental yard, for an electric auger. Gee, wish I could help. (not)
Does peeing in the sink damage the drain/pipes?
Yes, it can clog the pipes, human urine contains calcium, if it isn't flushed down the pipes, it can build up, layer after layer, until the pipe is filled. I've seen it and it's really hard stuff. If you run enough water, after peeing, it should send most of the urine down the drain. Fresh human urine from a healthy human is not bad stuff, If you're stuck on a raft or in a mine, drink your urine, it won't put anything in your body that wasn't there already. However, if it is left out in the open, like in a sink drain, it can get pretty nasty. Especially if it is a drain, like most bathroom sink drains, which has an overflow hole just below the rim of the sink. This hole lets water down into the drain through a hollow space between the bowl and what you see on the underside of the sink. It's so the sink won't overflow if the water's left on and the sink fills up. That hole leads down to the drain, but, there's almost always a place where water will collect, and-. If you pee in that type sink, and the drain backs up, even for a moment, you've just peed into a place which cannot be cleaned. Not really, not ever. The urine will sit there, and things will grow in it, and it will stink. "Urine is a liquid waste product of the body secreted by the kidneys by a process of filtration from blood called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous waste compounds, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream. This waste is eventually expelled from the body in a process known as micturition, the primary method for excreting water-soluble chemicals from the body. These chemicals can be detected and analyzed by urinalysis. Urine contains a range of substances that vary with what is introduced into the body. Aside from water, urine contains an assortment of inorganic salts and organic compounds, including ureum: (NH2)2CO, proteins, hormones, and a wide range of metabolites. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_human_... Not to mention any leftover antibiotics, aspirin, thorazine, any drugs at all, they all come out too.
What causes sinks to smell bad?
Sewer gases are coming up the drain pipe into your house. The drain pipe under the sink should have a U shaped section that is designed to hold water at all times. This water prevents the sewer gas from entering the living space. It is called a trap. If you have a trap it's possible that it is not holding water. This could happen if the sink is never used the water evaporates. Just run some water down the drain. If the piping is improperly designed it can cause the water to be siphoned out. Then call a plumber.
Is it allowed to add a kitchen sink in my basement?
As others have said, it is best to ask your local building authority.But all the stories refer to it being disallowed by the authotities based on whether it implies an expanded usage, either as an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or expanded usage of the property on limited septic capacity. And there are definite rules in most jurisdictions about adding an ADU to your home. This usually implies a change in usage or zoning.The septic issue is more a practical consideration, rather than zoning. And there are other practical issues that are similar.But in most cases that I am familiar with, the presence of a sink is not a determining factor as to whether the space is determined to be prepped as a dwelling unit. The presence of a stove I think is usually the deciding factor.It is very common for people to install a utility sink in their basement, next to a laundry area. Or for other domestic needs. We are putting a dog wash sink in a home we are remodeling right now. No questions will be asked by the inspector. What sort of counter or cabinets this is installed in is immaterial. The intent is clearly not to establish an additional dwelling unit.But since there are several safety issues that could apply, it is best to ask the building folks. And for practical issues, ask a local plumber if it’s feasible and within your budget.
It sounds like running water behind the sink?
sounds like there is a leak in the water line somewhere? If you are on a Meter ....turn off everything and go check if the Meter is spinning. It could be a break in the main line feeding the house or underneath your home? Has it been real cold where you live? good luck ~ Teri
Maggots in my kitchen sink?
OKAY. So we just moved into a new house. Our garbage disposal did not work from day 1. We called our landlord and she told us we only needed to flip a switch (Possibly the reset button?) anywho it seemed to make a noise but didn't seem to still be working. But we ignored it b/c we rarely use it. Last night, I was doing dishes and trying to use the disposal it seemed to once again be not working, and soon after a very disgusting smell started to smell throughout our kitchen. So today I am making lunch and see a maggot on the counter and go to find that there are maggots in the sink crawling on the dishes!!! I was so disgusted. My main question IS because the majority of the maggots were found on the opposite sink of the disposal. So is the problem of the maggots because of the broken garbage disposal?? What are you opinions? We did call our landlord and they are coming out today to fix the disposal, but I am worried about getting more. BTW: our kitchen is very clean, and keep everything very clean, esp the kitchen!!
Is Drano / Liquid Plumber truly bad for your pipes?
We at Milani Plumbing, Drainage & Heating do not recommend the use of liquid drain cleaners like Drano or Liquid Plumr. Yes, there are plenty of people who have used these products successfully, however there are a lot of people who caused irreversible damage to their homes, themselves, or other people, due to unpredictable reactions.Pipe DamageLiquid drain cleaners typically have a pH of 14, and have a very powerful caustic effect. When the cleaner comes in contact with organic material, the reaction breaks down the material while producing gas and heat. The heat can damage the inner wall of polymer pipes and reduce the useful life of your drainage system. If the drains are metal, a corrosive effect can cause a major leak to appear in the system and cause damage to your home. Some polymers can also be weakened by the chemicals.InjuriesIf you check online, you will find accounts of liquid drain cleaner exploding back out of the drain and splashing on the user or an unsuspecting plumber, burning and scarring them. The gas itself is also caustic and can cause irritation or even permanent damage in your lungs and airways. As plumbers, we have to take extra care when dealing with pipes that have been recently treated with drain cleaner. Common injuries are chemical burns on skin, or eye and respiratory damage from fumes. Please be sure to ALWAYS inform your plumber if you’ve used liquid drain cleaner before they inspect your drains.AlternativesThe best method is prevention. Avoid letting any material go down your sink in the first place by using a drain catcher. Don’t pour oils, grease, or fats down the drain as well. You can also use baking soda and vinegar to periodically clean your pipes and prevent build up over time. Run hot water down your drain to loosen any build up. Pour a half cup of baking soda down your drain. Then, pour a combination of one cup of vinegar and one cup of hot water before covering the drain so that the foam doesn’t escape upwards. The reaction will be mild enough to dislodge loose particles without damaging your pipes or causing major injuries.
Why does my kitchen sink smell like sewer?
A plumbing lesson:This image shows a very basic household plumbing system. All of the large black pipes in this image are ‘waste’ pipes, which lead to the sewer or septic system. Notice that they are all connected to one another - even the sink and toilet are connected to each other.Now, it stands to reason that if water can flow down these pipes, air can flow up them, right? So what’s to keep the smells of the sewer from working their merry way up and into your house?This, the humble P-Trap:Notice the shape; water flows down the left side, through the bend at the bottom, then down the pipe to the right and out to the sewer. Since water won’t flow uphill, when the water is finished draining, some is left in the bend, like this:Now, even though more water can easily flow down this drain, air cannot flow up it: if it tried to it would be blocked by the water in the bend.If your sink smells of a sewer, and cleaning it hasn’t solved the problem, my guess - and remember, I’m just some random guy on the internet - would be that something is causing the bend in your P-trap to be dry - either there is a leak, there is a clogged vent somewhere, or the sink isn’t being used often enough to keep water in the bend - if a fixture isn’t used often enough, the water in the bend can actually evaporate, allowing sewer gas to slip by unhindered.
How do I go about installing a dishwasher.....from electrical all the way to hooking up the water...?
You're best off typing "how to dishwasher" in your search bar, as the results you get will be in-depth and illustrated.