Drainage Problem - Venting issue?

[Rochester33]

We first noticed the problem in the kitchen that when the washing machine (clothes) was running that the kitchen sink would back up relatively quickly after running it to do dishes etc. The kitchen sink would slowly drain, and occasionally a big bubble would rise and it would drain quickly.

After that, the kitchen sink would back up without the use of other water sources in the house. We called in a plumber who thought that there was a block somewhere in the pipe. He snaked the kitchen drain with a 75 foot snake and it seemed like the problem went away.

At this point I will mention that the under the kitchen sink cabinet, there is an air admittance valve. The plumber said that ours was broken and that we needed a new one, but it didn't seem like he was concerned about it. My landlord decided that he wasn't either and we haven't replaced it.

In the past few days, when a large amount of water is to be drained (shower, toilet, washing machine, etc.) the downstairs sinks/toilets will gurgle and eventually start filling up with water.

Yesterday, the landlord was over trying to DIY without having to call another plumber and remembered the air admittance valve. At the moment, the kitchen sink was backed up with about an inch or two of standing water. He unscrewed the AAV and the water started draining really nicely. We turned on the faucet and let it run, turned on the tub faucet and let it run and everything seemed good. He's gonna run to the store and grab a new AAV and hopefully that solves things.

So I have two questions

1) Could the AAV for the kitchen sink affect the drainage for the other sources in the house (bathroom, washing machine, other sinks etc.)?

2) When the kitchen sink backs up, there are metal filings that settle after the water drains. Could that be from when the plumber snaked the drain?

Thanks for you help

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

Post some pictures of the metal fillings

 

[frodo]

Post some pictures of the metal fillings

where you been?

 

[Rochester33]

Post some pictures of the metal fillings

I attempted to get a picture of the metal filings this morning. It has been worse than this, to a point where the water is cloudy gray with them. It also smells very metallic when the water backs up into the sink.

Image is attached.

 

[frodo]

well, replace the admitence valve as the plumber suggested.


1 depends on how its plumbed, but yes, it can effect how it drains,,

2 maybe

 

[Caduceus]

From what you have described you have an obstruction in the drain and the AAV is secondary to the problem. Don't lose focus on the true issue. If only the AAV was bad, you would still drain but lose the trap seal. With a clog and a bad AAV, the drain could become "air bound" and create the effect you've described. The filings could be particulates from the lining of the pipe and sediment that is normally left behind in these situations. If multiple fixtures are involved in the back up (toilets, showers, etc.) then the main building drain should be augered from a larger source than the kitchen sink and lots of water flushed during the process so that the line is cleared thoroughly before putting the sewer machine away.

 

[Caduceus]

I get wordy like that to help out the search engines.

 

[Mr_David]

Post some pictures of the metal fillings

where you been?

I was thinkin' the same thing.

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

I was thinkin' the same thing.

I found a personal mentor whose been helping me out and I been watching the forum from the sidelines.you frodo and mr David are doing a good job taking care of these people.

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

I was thinkin' the same thing.

I found a personal mentor whose been helping me out and I been watching the forum from the sidelines.you frodo and mr David and few others are doing a good job taking care of these people.

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

I found a personal mentor whose been helping me out and I been watching the forum from the sidelines.you frodo and mr David and few others are doing a good job taking care of these people.

 

[phishfood]

From what you have described you have an obstruction in the drain and the AAV is secondary to the problem. Don't lose focus on the true issue. If only the AAV was bad, you would still drain but lose the trap seal. With a clog and a bad AAV, the drain could become "air bound" and create the effect you've described. The filings could be particulates from the lining of the pipe and sediment that is normally left behind in these situations. If multiple fixtures are involved in the back up (toilets, showers, etc.) then the main building drain should be augered from a larger source than the kitchen sink and lots of water flushed during the process so that the line is cleared thoroughly before putting the sewer machine away.

^^What he said. With particular emphasis on snaking it from a larger access point, with a full size cutter head.