Last night's full load of laundry overflowed the floor drain again and I had to mop up a big mess. Definitely time to call those sewer cleaning guys again!
No, P.J., I am not particularly "into sewage." It's just that we had similar overflow problems here, and I'm trying to save money. From your picture, is does not look like you have a lint sock on the end of your drain hose (you can find link socks at any hardware store). Also, while I can’t see the inside of your laundry sink, if you don’t already have one, you can buy a fenestrated drain cover. You’ll want to find one with small holes, and you’ll need to clean it out after every load of laundry. You may still need a plumber to get all of the lint out of your pipes, but the above are inexpensive “preventative medicine” tips.
LMAO! Use empty coffee cans, milk jugs, pretty much anything that you are going to throw away that has a lid to pour your bacon grease in to. Then, toss whatever container you use in the trash. You're on your own with the tampons, Jake ... sorry.
You THROW AWAY bacon grease??? My God woman, that's the perfect grease to saute onions, etc., in. I save all I can get in a coffee cup in the fridge. PORK FAT RULES!!!
As far as tampons, go, I personally have cut way back on my use of them. Now, its only if I pop a 'roid.
Seriously though, folks, the problem is not a clogged drain. The sewer line out to the road is 50 years old and clay tiles. According to the sewer guys, the trees in front have pushed roots into the tiles and so have to be cut out every now and then.
I checked into the price of replacing the line and believe me, paying $100 ever three years or so is a bargain!
I’ve lost track of how many plumbers told us we just had “old pipes” and “tree root” issues (and I’m not even going to bother telling you just how much more than $100 we spent every single time we heard it). For less than $10, lint socks and a fenestrated drain cover can be your best friends. I just thought of something else, though. You should check your property lines. Anything that extends into the city’s property (beyond the sidewalk for us), is the city’s problem (read: you don’t have to pay a dime). Check to see if your neighbors are having similar issues. If so, then spend a day taking turns calling to have the city come out and take a look. You may have to suffer through a few days of loud noises and cheap hole fixes in your road, but, hey, at least you won’t have to spend your spare time mopping. Like I said, I’m just trying to help and save you money.
Regarding the bacon grease: Yes, I confess that I routinely get rid of it. If it makes you feel any better, though, I do eventually plan on saving every bit of cooking oil in my house. I plan on testing out one of those SVO (straight vegetable oil) vehicles.
Regarding the tampons: Ask your Administrator about “deleted” comments :)
Just back from Canada, where Joe took 1st in the walking category and 3rd in the solar-powered category. I am new to this thread.
Not sure if this is clear, Dad, but you have to be careful with lint when you have old pipes such as ours. Lint gets stuck on roots or any other protrusions. Using lint socks and such, as Jill mentioned, cut down our drain problem from once a year to maybe once every five.
Will you please post a picture of your washing machine area, especially the part where the dirty water drains from the machine?
ReplyDeleteUh, okay. I didn't realize you were that into sewage. See photos
ReplyDeleteNo, P.J., I am not particularly "into sewage." It's just that we had similar overflow problems here, and I'm trying to save money. From your picture, is does not look like you have a lint sock on the end of your drain hose (you can find link socks at any hardware store). Also, while I can’t see the inside of your laundry sink, if you don’t already have one, you can buy a fenestrated drain cover. You’ll want to find one with small holes, and you’ll need to clean it out after every load of laundry. You may still need a plumber to get all of the lint out of your pipes, but the above are inexpensive “preventative medicine” tips.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: That should read, "save you money."
ReplyDeleteLMAO! Use empty coffee cans, milk jugs, pretty much anything that you are going to throw away that has a lid to pour your bacon grease in to. Then, toss whatever container you use in the trash. You're on your own with the tampons, Jake ... sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou THROW AWAY bacon grease??? My God woman, that's the perfect grease to saute onions, etc., in. I save all I can get in a coffee cup in the fridge. PORK FAT RULES!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as tampons, go, I personally have cut way back on my use of them. Now, its only if I pop a 'roid.
Seriously though, folks, the problem is not a clogged drain. The sewer line out to the road is 50 years old and clay tiles. According to the sewer guys, the trees in front have pushed roots into the tiles and so have to be cut out every now and then.
ReplyDeleteI checked into the price of replacing the line and believe me, paying $100 ever three years or so is a bargain!
I’ve lost track of how many plumbers told us we just had “old pipes” and “tree root” issues (and I’m not even going to bother telling you just how much more than $100 we spent every single time we heard it). For less than $10, lint socks and a fenestrated drain cover can be your best friends. I just thought of something else, though. You should check your property lines. Anything that extends into the city’s property (beyond the sidewalk for us), is the city’s problem (read: you don’t have to pay a dime). Check to see if your neighbors are having similar issues. If so, then spend a day taking turns calling to have the city come out and take a look. You may have to suffer through a few days of loud noises and cheap hole fixes in your road, but, hey, at least you won’t have to spend your spare time mopping. Like I said, I’m just trying to help and save you money.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the bacon grease: Yes, I confess that I routinely get rid of it. If it makes you feel any better, though, I do eventually plan on saving every bit of cooking oil in my house. I plan on testing out one of those SVO (straight vegetable oil) vehicles.
Regarding the tampons: Ask your Administrator about “deleted” comments :)
Just back from Canada, where Joe took 1st in the walking category and 3rd in the solar-powered category. I am new to this thread.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this is clear, Dad, but you have to be careful with lint when you have old pipes such as ours. Lint gets stuck on roots or any other protrusions. Using lint socks and such, as Jill mentioned, cut down our drain problem from once a year to maybe once every five.