Pipe Behind Bathroom Sink Wall---Difficult to Replace?

JamesAA · Aug 4, 2014

I have an older house. Drain pipes are galvanized steel. From all I can tell the pipe directly behind the cabinet wall in my bathroom sink has become VERY narrow (due to corrosion). Nothing else in my house is backing up but the bathroom sink is fully backed up.

So I want to replace the pipe. I have no experience in plumbing or construction. Have just done a few very routine home improvement projects. I'm not skilled at any home improvement trades.

(1) Is this project something a rookie like me can handle?

(2) How much drywall will I need to cut out?

(3) How can I patch the holes in the drywall up?

(4) is the pipe behind the wall pretty short? In other words will I be able to reach down through the hole in the drywall to unscrew it?

I'd appreciate any tips. I'm reluctant to calling Roto Rooter cause I know it will be costly, but I also don't want to take on a project that is out of my depth.

Thanks for the time,
James

johnjh2o · Aug 4, 2014

The line may just need to be snaked.

JamesAA · Aug 4, 2014

johnjh2o said:
The line may just need to be snaked.

I was hoping the snake would do the trick. I used my cheap, little one. Got about 5 feet of it (rough guesstimate) down before it couldn't go any further. I turned it many times and it came back perfectly clean every time. I repeated this process 6 or 7 times. Same result every time. I think I was hitting a 90 degree angle.

Reason I thought the pipe had narrowed was because when I plunged my clogged sink, a white piece of soap/shaving cream came out and it was just a little thicker than a crayon...a perfectly rounded cylinder. I figure that rounding was caused by the pipe and if so the pipe is narrower than it should be.
I could be way off. Is my guess a reasonable one???

havasu · Aug 4, 2014

Before considering a re-pipe of your drain lines, I believe getting in a professional, with the correct equipment would be money well spent.

JamesAA · Aug 4, 2014

havasu said:
Before considering a re-pipe of your drain lines, I believe getting in a professional, with the correct equipment would be money well spent.

I'm all for that. Do you think a Roto Rooter snaking (snaking it right there under the sink) would be enough?