Bath sink with AC drain line clogged - pictures

[Boris]

Some background info: 2 story house. master bedroom bathroom on one side and 2 ac outside units on the opposite side. house built in 1991. We bought about 10 years ago.

One bathroom sink was frequently clogged, until about a year ago, I made a change to the original setup that you can see in the photos. I'm not a plumber, but can fix small things. From what I understand the builder put AC PVC connection inside the wall a bit too low and thus making me no choice but to create these extensions. There is slight upward angle though. In any case, I believe if I call the plumber it will be extremely expensive to correct this (i.e. taking out long bath cabinets, opening up a sheetrock and extending pipe up a bit)..
Regardless.. the problem now is that the sink is clogged again. I cleaned ALL the connections and tried to use drum auger for ac pipe but obviously it would not go far at all because ac PVC pipe behind the wall is L shaped.


Sorry, for the long explanations. What I need are practical solutions or tools to buy to determine where it's clogged and how to unclog it. Thank you!

 

[Reach4]

Is the flow from the sink bowl clogged, or just the AC drain?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Boris]

sink bowl flow is completely clean. all the piping inside the bath sink cabinet is completely clean. There was a small clog in the black rubber connection which I cleaned as well (I thought that was a culprit, but it wasn't). I have a feeling that the ac drain pipe is clogged somewhere, but I'm not sure how and what plumbers use to unclog it. For now, I just need to find a temp solution for unclogging, so it will drain and there would be no standing water in bath think, so my wife stops complaining, but I down the line (no pun intended), I want to hear your opinion(s) about the permanent fix.

 

[Reach4]

To be clear, does clean mean that the bowl drains fine, or do you mean that when you disassemble there is no remaining crud visible but the water does not drain out through the wall?

If you put 5 inches of water into the bowl, does it drain out fine?

For now, I just need to find a temp solution for unclogging, so it will drain and there would be no standing water in bath think, so my wife stops complaining

Wait! The bathtub does not drain, and when you put water into the sink bowl, the water backs up into the tub?

 

[Boris]

To be clear, does clean mean that the bowl drains fine, or do you mean that when you disassemble there is no remaining crud visible but the water does not drain out through the wall?

If you put 5 inches of water into the bowl, does it drain out fine?

/

Correct. The bowl drains fine.

[/QUOTE=Wait! The bathtub does not drain, and when you put water into the sink bowl, the water backs up into the tub?[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the delay with a response - was returning recalled jack stands to HF.

Just to test this again (When not draining there started a few years ago I was checking this as a first step), I disconnected bottom pipe (see picture) and water drains fine.

 

[Boris]

One more theory, but not sure if it's valid or not (probably not). The sink has hairline cracks (see picture). Is it possible that water not draining is because the water that slowly sips inside the sink bowl?

 

[Reach4]

Just to test this again (When not draining there started a few years ago I was checking this as a first step), I disconnected bottom pipe (see picture) and water drains fine.

Irrelevant.

1. When the sink is in the condition of your first picture, does the bowl drain properly?
2. Under what conditions does the tub back up?
3. Are you on septic?
4. Is there another level below or above this bathroom?

 

[Boris]

Irrelevant.

1. When the sink is in the condition of your first picture, does the bowl drain properly?
2. Under what conditions does the tub back up?
3. Are you on septic?
4. Is there another level below or above this bathroom?

1. When everything is connected, the sink bowl backs up water after about a minute or two
2. As above
3. No septic. City of Austin utilities
4. Master Bathroom (MB) is located on the second floor. Down below MB (first floor) there are no bathrooms. There is on half bath located close to the kitchen area, but it's far away. House is almost 3400 sq ft.

 

[Reach4]

1. I think I understand that the bathroom sink drain accepts about 2 or so gallons of water from the ~1.5 gpm faucet before the water stops being accepted.
2. I think you are saying that tub drain accepts a few gallons of water from its ~4 gpm spout before water stops being accepted, but that running water from the sink does not cause water to appear in the tub.
3. OK.
4. I think you are saying that there is no level with plumbing above the bathroom with the problem ("MB"), and there is a level below with plumbing, such as sinks, and the plumbing on that lower level does not have backup problems.

Did I get that right?

 

[Boris]

1. I think I understand that the bathroom sink drain accepts about 2 or so gallons of water from the ~1.5 gpm faucet before the water stops being accepted.
2. I think you are saying that tub drain accepts a few gallons of water from its ~4 gpm spout before water stops being accepted, but that running water from the sink does not cause water to appear in the tub.
3. OK.
4. I think you are saying that there is no level with plumbing above the bathroom with the problem ("MB"), and there is a level below with plumbing, such as sinks, and the plumbing on that lower level does not have backup problems.

Did I get that right?

1. 2. an 4 - CORRECT

I think I will try the following .
a) buy at HD AC Line Cleaner for Air Conditioner Drain Lines
b) If a doesn't resolve will rent Drill Unit Drain Cleaner 25' x 5/16" also @ HD

Terry from Houston who graciously let me call him to ask questions and get answers - Thank you so much!!!
Reach4 who patiently checks my (probably some confusing) questions - Thank you so much as well!!!

 

[Bannerman]

There will be no drain connection from the AC Condenser (exterior AC unit). The 2 pipes you observe connected to the unit carry refrigerant, not water. The grey flexible line contains electrical wiring supplying power to the unit.

Any drain connection pertaining to the AC system, will be needed to drain condensation formed on the AC Evaporator coil which will be typically located within a forced air furnace or air handler system. Is there an air handler unit located in your attic which is being drained to your bathroom sink?

Edit: The refrigerant filter/dryer shown on the smaller liquid refrigerant line appears to be in bad condition and should be replaced. If the rust continues, a leak will occur, resulting in the refrigerant being lost to atmosphere.

 

[Boris]

There will be no drain connection from the AC Condenser (exterior AC unit). The 2 pipes you observe connected to the unit carry refrigerant, not water. The grey flexible line contains electrical wiring supplying power to the unit.

Any drain connection pertaining to the AC system, will be needed to drain condensation formed on the AC Evaporator coil which will be typically located within a forced air furnace or air handler system. Is there an air handler unit located in your attic which is being drained to your bathroom sink?

Edit: The refrigerant dryer shown on the liquid refrigerant line appears to be in bad condition and should be replaced. If the rust continues, a leak will occur, resulting in the refrigerant being lost to atmosphere.

Bannerman, you are absolutely correct. There are 2 air handler units in the attic. Both drain to the bathroom sinks on the second floor. One drains to MB bathroom sink and the other to children bathroom sink. Children bathroom sink is not clogged at the moment. I'm at HD buying item (a)

 

[Reach4]

1. 2. an 4 - CORRECT

You need to get the drain pipes around your tub rodded out. You did not mention the toilet as having a problem.
I had good look with the RIDGID PowerSpin Plus #57043 snake rotated by my variable speed reversible electric drill, but renting a bigger unit could be better. Be careful, and don't get injured. You might be better off calling a drain cleaning specialist.

That AC drain cleaner may be good. I don't know it.

 

[Boris]

You need to get the drain pipes around your tub rodded out. You did not mention the toilet as having a problem.
I had good look with the RIDGID PowerSpin Plus #57043 snake rotated by my variable speed reversible electric drill, but renting a bigger unit could be better. Be careful, and don't get injured. You might be better off calling a drain cleaning specialist.


That AC drain cleaner may be good. I don't know it.

The toilets don't have any issues w/draining.
So, plan for today (as I already spent too much time on this):
a) put AC Line Cleaner for Air Conditioner Drain Lines bottle to both ac hander' pipes in the attic & put a caps on both lines to build pressure. Will do it at 9pm as today is over 100 degrees in Austin.
b) if by tomorrow afternoon no progress with the pipes, will get a regular 3/8 or 1/4 metal stainless steel cable (like in augers) to use on the pvc pipes from air handers.

 

[Bannerman]

There is slight upward angle though.

I anticipate you are referring to what appears to be a 1.5" trap arm which drains into the drain pipe in the wall.

The 1.25" sink tailpiece pop-up lever does not appear to be connected or utilized. If that tailpiece was to be replaced with a plain tailpiece (no popup), then the entire P trap should be able to be moved upwards, closer to the sink which would then allow the trap arm to sit level.

As the sink appears to be porcelain, I anticipate exessiely hot water does or has previously flowed directly into the sink which caused rapid expansion of the porcelain resulting in the glazed finish to crack.

 

[Boris]

The 1.25" sink tailpiece pop-up lever does not appear to be connected or utilized. If that tailpiece was to be replaced with a plain tailpiece (no popup), then the entire P trap should be able to be moved upwards, closer to the sink which would then allow the trap arm to sit level.

As the sink appears to be porcelain, I anticipate exessiely hot water does or has previously flowed directly into the sink which caused rapid expansion of the porcelain resulting in the glazed finish to crack.[/QUOTE] ---> Yep. That's right. And that sink is probably original from 30 years ago. I don't want to do a full scale remodel of MB, but probably will do soon for the bathtub and 2 separate bathroom sinks there.

I anticipate you are referring to what appears to be a 1.5" trap arm which drains into the drain pipe in the wall.

I was referring to a connection to ac drain line (the black rubber piece and connector to ac line). My understanding is that AC line drain connections should go upward from condensate opening to the wall. Mine has just a slight upward angle and I don't see a way to increase upward angle without removing bathroom sink cabinets.

 

[wwhitney]

Boris, you seem to be reporting that water backs up in the sink (and bathtub) from using the normal faucet (or tub filler). That AC condensate line is very unlikely to have anything to do with that problem(s). Far more likely is that there is a simple blockage in your sink drain (and/or tub drain).

Now if your AC condensate is overflowing in your attic, then the measures you suggest to address a blocked AC condensate drain line would be appropriate.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Boris]

Boris, you seem to be reporting that water backs up in the sink (and bathtub) from using the normal faucet (or tub filler). That AC condensate line is very unlikely to have anything to do with that problem(s). Far more likely is that there is a simple blockage in your sink drain (and/or tub drain).

Now if your AC condensate is overflowing in your attic, then the measures you suggest to address a blocked AC condensate drain line would be appropriate.

Cheers, Wayne

Last few times it was a clogged ac line that caused water back up in sink and cleaning ac drain line connections helped. I did check opening of sink drain earlier today and it didn't appear to have blockage; though I didn't try to auger it. Will do it tomorrow. Thank you for helping w/this!

 

[wwhitney]

Last few times it was a clogged ac line that caused water back up in sink and cleaning ac drain line connections helped.

I'm at a loss to see how that could be the case. If the condensate water can make it from the evaporator in the attic to the tailpiece under the sink, then at that point it should drain to the city sewer, unless the sink drain line itself is clogged. Water backing up in a drain has to be due to a clog downstream and vertically lower than the water surface.

More likely is that a side effect of your AC drain line cleaning somehow helped the sink drain line become less clogged. E.g., the restriction was is in the trap, and you disassembled the trap to get access to the end of the AC drain line.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Boris]

I'm at a loss to see how that could be the case. If the condensate water can make it from the evaporator in the attic to the tailpiece under the sink, then at that point it should drain to the city sewer, unless the sink drain line itself is clogged. Water backing up in a drain has to be due to a clog downstream and vertically lower than the water surface.

More likely is that a side effect of your AC drain line cleaning somehow helped the sink drain line become less clogged. E.g., the restriction was is in the trap, and you disassembled the trap to get access to the end of the AC drain line.

Cheers, Wayne

Managed to unclog sink drain (2 attempts) with an old rusty auger (1/4'' 25 ft). Water is not backing up to the sink anymore. Could not get more than 6ft in there. Would you recommend to invest in something like RIDGID 35473 or Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless when on sale?
Every year or two, I have to deal with this fun procedure.