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How to Find the Location of Blockage in a Drain Line
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
How to find the point of blockage in a building drain or buried pipe: this article describes how we find the location of blockage in a building drain
The line which was replaced in this photo-illustrated
case runs from the building exterior to a septic tank located downhill from the home.
We present an actual case study, illustrated with photos of each step in the diagnosis and replacement of a blocked
sewer line.
The waste line in this case was found to be blocked, damaged, old,
and needing replacement in the course of an attempt to clear a blocked drain between the house and septic tank.
Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."
This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. Also see Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
How to Find the Distance to the drain blockage - locating the blockage point in a Drain Pipe
Observing where an obstruction was felt in the drain line during operation of
the power snake was an important point because on pulling the power snake back out of the line from this
point we could determine how far away from the house the blockage actually was.
Leaving the power snake operating and rotating inside the sewer pipe two of us dashed outdoors
to walk down the hill between house and septic tank location to the approximate distance
indicated by what we'd discovered inside.
While buried pipes might run anywhere, one would expect
in this case that they run in a nearly straight line down the hill from the house to the
septic tank.
Looking and feeling the ground for vibration caused by the power snake and listening for the sound of the snake turning inside the drain line, was easy in this
case when we stopped over a section of concrete sidewalk. We could both feel and hear
the snake turning in the ground below. (The disturbed sidewalk far down the hill shows
where we heard and felt the vibration of the power snake being operated by the plumber.)
Another method of "listening" for the plumbing snake noise inside a sewer line or other drain
was suggested by PHG from Poughkeepsie, who said he uses a mechanic's stethoscope to follow
the drain line. Using a long screwdriver he probes into the (soft) soil down to where he thinks
the drain line is running. He inserts the mechanic's stethoscope into the opening made by the
screwdriver. The rod of the stethoscope conducts noise from the pipe or nearby pipe or soils.
Spending money on drain cleaning attempts when a new drain is what's needed?
The cost of this attempt to unblock a clogged building drain was several hundred dollars
to pay the workers and for use of the power snake machine. While it was disappointing to
have spent this money only to discover that what was needed was a drain replacement, we considered
it the fair cost for a confident diagnosis of what work was needed.
In hindsight, we could
have assumed that the drain replacement was needed based on the age of the home and
gone directly to hiring the excavator, but most experts would consider that a rash step
since there are plenty of instances of blocked drains that do not need to be replaced. |
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Thanks to Thomas Gleason, excavators, Poughkeepsie, NY 845-454-3730, for the excavating work at the project photo documented here in September 2006
- Thanks to Cleveland Plumbing, the prime plumbing contractor, Staatsburgh, NY 845-485-7700 for the plumbing work and drain clog diagnosis work documented here in September 2006
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF. I>
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
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