Drain from Hell - DIY

[Goingnuclear]

I keep getting the scope caught and couldn't go down too far, first time using scope, but I will try again later. I think the clog is further down.

Pipe immediately turns horizontal and runs horizontal for 5 feet then turns left and eventually goes vertical, so it seems to clog once a year even though we barely use this toliet.

What I tried: I used powered enzymes for 5 days and an liquid green gobbler enzymes. (This made the pipe drain faster and fully drain, but clog still there)

I tried snaking it by hand and removed what I think was toliet paper. Wasn't able to get it down too far.

I tried a liter of Lye waited 24 hours and then flushed with hot water. (Still slow drains, but doesn't fully drain)

Poured 1 gallon on Lye in drain watered 24 hours and flushed with hot water. (Didn't fully drain)

I poured 1 gallon of vinegar in drain to cancel out the Lye. Waited hours and then snaked the drain. I was able to get the snake down 25 feet and afterwards the drain fully drained, but when I add water it still backs up.

I then poured simple green, dawn and water down drain and it does still fully drain. I was hoping to use camera to see how far down the clog is, but no luck so far. I think the clog is toliet paper mush blocking part of the drain and I was hoping to be able to remove it with soap and water. Yes I will most likely hire a plumber to snake it past 25 feet. I am just annoyed that this happens every year.

 

[Geofd]

When you snaked the drain do you mean you augured it or did you remove the toilet and use an electric snake????

 

[Goingnuclear]

When you snaked the drain do you mean you augured it or did you remove the toilet and use an electric snake????

I removed the toliet. I used a 25 foot snake with electric screwdriver. I was thinking about zip tying the camera to the snake, but IDK. The gunk in the pipe gets the camera stuck, but I only tried one time so I'll try again. My guess is that if I put it back together and I flush it will go down but a second flush would overflow.

 

[Geofd]

If you didn't clear it that's a good possibility
the drain must be empty to get a good view
Your snake cable should be a minimum of
3/8" diameter and trickle water into the drain so you can see it, when it drains away increase the water to flush still while running the snake

 

[GReynolds929]

Like was said, you need a bigger snake. 3" pipe is big. If using 3/8" cable get a larger head on it. The little 25' 1/4" guy isn't gonna do much, especially on a soft clog.

 

[Goingnuclear]

Like was said, you need a bigger snake. 3" pipe is big. If using 3/8" cable get a larger head on it. The little 25' 1/4" guy isn't gonna do much, especially on a

I attached the camera to the snake and found a large wad of something that I could move it back and forth. I think your right, I will have to get larger head. I poured a few gallons of water and plunged the hole as well. The tp is really mushy and soft, but sticks together really well. It is hard to pull it out because it just gets a tiny bit of it. The house was built in the 80's idk why the pipe is rough. Is it rusty metal or just gunk?

 

[Geofd]

Clear it 1st then you can ***** it