Gurg-gurg sound and water backup in kitchen sink

[Vaughn Eisler]

Expert plumbers - I am seeking some guidance as a frequent DIYer but am new to plumbing.


About a week ago I heard a glug-glug sound underneath my kitchen sink. Additionally, water all of a sudden started backing up into the sink. The water in the kitchen sink backs up either when I run the sink itself or when the dishwasher runs. Eventually, water does flow out (takes about 15-20 mins for a small level of water to exit). Both symptoms started simultaneously.


After some research I determined that the gurgling sound might be caused my air flow / venting. As a result, I checked and found an AAV attached. I replaced that, although I understand they don't frequently go bad. I still hear the gurg-gurg sound.


As for the water backing up... I went ahead and bought a 50 ft snake and snaked the pipe. I didn't notice any resistance when sending it down, and when I pulled it out, it was wet, but I didn't really see any junk anywhere. The back up has improved slightly after I snaked the pipe, meaning it takes a little longer for the sink to back up and a small level of water now only takes 10 mins to exit.


I admit I am wondering if it's something as simple as getting a 75 ft or 100 ft snake and trying that to see if the clog is deeper than 50 ft, although at that point it might be more cost effective to simple hire a plumber.


There is no backup anywhere else in the house, meaning I dont observe any flow problems or other symptoms in any other sinks, toilets, showers, etc. It appears isolated to the kitchen sink, as far as I can tell.


I do have pictures of the under the sink configuration, though I haven't figured out how to include them in posts here (this is my first post).


I am wondering if the experts here might have any other suggestions as to what I can try to help resolve these issues. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,


Vaughn Eisler

 

[Terry]

It sounds like your kitchen line will need some work. The equipment for that is more than most homeowners should be using. I have done it in the past, and having my own business, I prefer to hire it out now. Unless you have experience with the power snakes, it can be dangerous. Heck, even with experience it's scary to use.

I do use Bio-Clean on my kitchen sink when it starts to get slow. It's good for eating up the grease that lines the lines. A good treatment takes about a week, mixing it with warm water and dumping it down the sink before going to bed at night.

Also, I suggest replacing garbage disposers at least every ten years. They lose their edge and don't chip up the food matter small enough after a while which winds up filling the lines.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Sylvan]

Never snake a kitchen waste line as it is a temporary fix.

Grease build it will not be removed by snaking as it will normally bore a small hole through the grease

Ideally use a water Jetter along with a wet-dry vacuum to scour the lines to restore full flow as originally designed

Snaking is for hard stoppages roots, rags, heavy concentrations of great (Then use a jetter)

Jetting is for soft stoppages soil , grease etc

 

[Terry]

Never snake a kitchen waste line as it is a temporary fix.

Grease build it will not be removed by snaking as it will normally bore a small hole through the grease

Ideally use a water Jetter along with a wet-dry vacuum to scour the lines to restore full flow as originally designed

Snaking is for hard stoppages roots, rags, heavy concentrations of great (Then use a jetter)

Jetting is for soft stoppages soil , grease etc

Another reason I don't work on drains. Too much equipment is needed, and so I let the experts handle that.