mistymjohnson Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I live on the first floor of a two-family house. While away at Niagara Falls this past weekend, my upstairs neighbor decided to install a garbage disposal in her kitchen sink. When I came home, I thought my sink was backed up... So, I went to the store and bought every known chemical to clean out my pipes (over exaggeration). Anyway, today I go into the kitchen to do the few dishes from breakfast only to find ground broccoli ALL over (with about two inches of standing water). I tried cleaner, boiling hot soapy water, and plunging the sink... Nothing. *sighs* I called them to let them know about the problem... They said there was nothing wrong with their garbage disposal. Am I missing something here? Before the garbage disposal... My sink worked perfectly (the drain could have even shamed hoover it sucked the water down so well)... Now, the garbage disposal is put in, and Disgusting chopped up food particles in my sink. *sighs* Any suggestions? Is it really my sink that is missing something... Or is she delusional and needs to call her plumber back over to fix his half-***** installation job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81+83+84=Posse Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 How old is the house? The reason I ask is because if the plumbing is old that could be the problem. What you have probably run into is the fact that your pipes and sewer system are old and were not designed to handle that much flow. When your neighbor puts food into the garbage disposal and runs it into the pipes, it lines the pipes and causes the water to flow slower (older plumbing is generally smaller in diameter), thus backing up the entire system. That is why it is running into your sink. The solution, tell them about the problem (show them if necessary) and ask them to stop using it. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 The pipes clogged,likely from someone putting something in they shouldn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyalligator Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 well who ground up the broccoli? You or your neighbor....if it was your neighbor then I would say you have a problem....also....is it a rental? Because if you continue to have problems you should tell your landlord... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 sounds like the pipe needs to be "snaked". If this is a rental, just contact the landlord. Also plumbing waste pipes require proper venting (usually thru the roof) so that air can replace the water as it goes down. The waste pipe can't draw air thru the sink hole because of the P trap and the water in it. So if the upstair disposal instalation compromised the venting than it would cause drain problems. Like the others said I would contact the people upstairs and thier plumber should look into it, as the problem obviously started just after thier project was completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte51Coleman Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Oh, you mean real plumbing. I have nothing to offer on THAT subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistymjohnson Posted February 24, 2006 Author Share Posted February 24, 2006 Thanks guys for the advice... I have just had a heck of a day with this. Yes, I rent. And of course the landlord failed to answer his phone most all day. That was until the folks upstairs decided it would be wise for them to empty their dirty mop water down the sink... Which in turn backed up onto my kitchen floor (along with the bleached out broccoli from this morning). lol... I was not in the most pleasant of moods this evening. However, I left a lovely message with my landlord letting him know that he could expect rent minus Roto-Rooter's fee (however you spell their name). Within five minutes, I got a call back. He will be here first thing in the morning to look at it. One good thing... I did finally figure out that I could simply unscrew a pipe from the bottom of the sink to let the water out so that it wasn't standing in there all night. I felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner (like this morning)... lol... but at least I know now! Thanks again guys... Much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo2365 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I know absolutely nothing about plumbing so I hope someone out there can help me. Basically, I have a little room that sits off of my house and I keep my washer and dryer in there. We've had some below freezing temperatures 2 days in a row and the pipes are frozen in that room now. My question is will there be a problem with those pipes when they thaw? Are they automatically going to burst? Will they be fine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I know absolutely nothing about plumbing so I hope someone out there can help me. Basically, I have a little room that sits off of my house and I keep my washer and dryer in there. We've had some below freezing temperatures 2 days in a row and the pipes are frozen in that room now. My question is will there be a problem with those pipes when they thaw? Are they automatically going to burst? Will they be fine? First thing to do is turn the water off to them. Then when it thaws out make sure you are there and turn it on slowly and see if it leaks. That of course is if there are no obvious busts in the pipe. You just don't want to leave the water on go to work, have it thaw and flood everywhere. Another tip for you warm weather guys is if you are expecting temps that will freeze your pipes leave a very small flow coming out of a faucet in the area you think might freeze. Running water helps stave off freezing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo2365 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 First thing to do is turn the water off to them. Then when it thaws out make sure you are there and turn it on slowly and see if it leaks. That of course is if there are no obvious busts in the pipe. You just don't want to leave the water on go to work, have it thaw and flood everywhere.Another tip for you warm weather guys is if you are expecting temps that will freeze your pipes leave a very small flow coming out of a faucet in the area you think might freeze. Running water helps stave off freezing. Thanks!! That helps alot. Since the washer is in a separate room from the rest of the house would there be a different valve for shut off just for that room or is it all on the main one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks!! That helps alot. Since the washer is in a separate room from the rest of the house would there be a different valve for shut off just for that room or is it all on the main one? Not sure, that depends on code and if they even followed it or not when the room was added. I'd hope they put a separate shut off valve somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MassSkinsFan Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Not sure, that depends on code and if they even followed it or not when the room was added. I'd hope they put a separate shut off valve somewhere. Locate the water lines going into the back of your washer. They're usually some kind of flexible pipe. Follow them away from the washer and see if they connect to anything. Generally they'll connect to some sort of valve. If the valves are modern there's probably a shut-off switch there. Here are some examples to help identify them: Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo2365 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks for the help you guys. I don't remember seeing any shut off valves like the first 2 so I don't know. Going to have to go do some investigating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the main shutoff,if the pipes have burst that is likely the only shutoff there is of course usually one before the flexible lines(which are not as likely to burst) once it starts thawing you could have a mess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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