laundry sink snapped off plumbing

Hey all,

New owner of an old house. When I saw the laundry sink was clogged, I did what the rest of us would do. However, when I started to handle the P-trap, the entire section of plumbing above the slab fell over. Apparently, the connection snapped off at some point below the surface of the concrete, so the old owner had rested the P trap plumbing on the below-surface line and used the surround concrete (plus a lot of cauking) to seal the joint.

My quick fix was to replicate what the previous owner had done. I jammed the PVC down to form a butt joint with the other plumbing below surface (it's actually a very tight fit with the surrounding concrete - I had to hammer it down), and then I caulked it heavily.

I have never had a fail at that point actually. However, the sink has overflown 3 times in a year. Now, I'm to the point where that is unacceptable because I'm about to finish most of that basement with carpeting.

What would you suggest? Jack hammering out that one drain line, replacing it (it's probably rust filled galvanized), and covering, or redoing the entire concrete floor to add a drain as well as replacing the line? That option scares/confuses me as I don't understand how you'd avoid disaster with the main support posts of the house which rest on the slab.

Thanks all, I do appreciate your help.

Kevin

From what it sounds like, if you have galvy drain pipe, get rid of it all before you finish the basement. No sense in covering up a ticking time bomb. This is in the realm of a pro, though you can save yourself a lot of time by doing the jackhammering of the floor yourself.

drain

How would you know where to jackhammer? Call a plumber and let him do the job. The backups may be cause of the way it is connected and a problem with the drains elsewhere, not because the sink drain itself is getting clogged.

yes, the clog is not touching the sink. it's in the line (or after).

I believe I know where the line is though since there is a cleanout/stubout 10' away.

So - even if I get someone else to do it, it sounds like you're saying the answer is simply to replace the galvy. Since there is no floor drain in the unfinished part of the basement, I was concerned everyone would tell me to add the drain (since an overflow would cause water to flow down to the finished part). That sounds like handful given that my floor is pretty level, so there would be no natural flow down towards the drain.

drain

With the type of drain you have on the sink, ANY stoppage ANYWHERE in the underfloor drain system would cause it to not drain, and snaking the sink drain would probably NOT cure it.

Thanks for the reply. Sorry, since I think my previous post was misleading.

I have no drain located on the actual floor of the concrete basement. Therefore, any overflow in the laundry sink or wherever, will flood the basement.

So, my question is, should I fix the current problem and replace the galvy? This would probably prevent any spillover in the laundry sink forever and do the trick.

However, on the off chance there is any leak/flood, there is still no drain on the basement floor. So, the other option is to not only replace the galvy, but also install a drain on the concrete floor, which would make it a larger project.

I guess that is the root of my question. Thanks
Kevin

flood

No the root of your question is WHY the sink would overflow, and that has nothing to do with whether it is galvanized, cast iron, plastic or anything else. It has to do ENTIRELY with the way the drain is connected. ANY problem elsewhere in the drain system under the floor will make the sink overflow when you use water in it. Correct that problem first then worry about what to do when the sink overflows because ITS drain is plugged.