Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged! (Read 836 times) previous topic - next topic

Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Hello,
Assistance Needed!!  Haven't been able to use our Coach for about 5 years!  We have been in it now for a week and have a clogged sink drain.  Appears to be beyond the p-trap.  Thought the blockage was at p-trap and tried to use the obvious methods (short snake, drano granules with hot water, but it didn't work!! Upon flushing p-trap with cold water, drain did not completely clear, took a couple of minutes for water to back up into sink bottom indicating that blockage was beyond p-trap.  After using suction plunger additional debris was dislodged and drain is now completely blocked.  Am at a RV part in Clermont, Florida, and thinking to call an RV tech (plumber) to come out tomorrow.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!  Kim and Ed.

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #1 –
Year of coach?

Have you checked the air admittance valve under the kitchen sink to see if it's stuck closed and not letting air in?

Without that air flow, a drain will be slow to non-functional.  Their normal failure is NOT sealing but it sounds like in this case it could be stuck in a sealed position.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Ed and Kim –
Hello,
Assistance Needed!!  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!  Kim and Ed.

Have you pulled the plug on the grey water tank?

Signed,
Captain Obvious.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #3 –
Let water/Drano set overnight. Then go under the sink and apply light hammer taps to the pipe parts you can see & reach. LIGHT I said.
Just enough to dislodge the blockage that the water/Drano mix can percolate down further.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
Have you pulled the plug on the grey water tank?

Unless the grey tank is full to backed up, that should not impact one sink's ability to drain. 

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Unless the grey tank is full to backed up, that should not impact one sink's ability to drain.
AND, when and if the grey tank does back up, it almost always will first flood the shower pan.  Don't ask how I know...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #6 –
Our kitchen sink drain pipe has a "Y" connector at the point where it turns from vertical to horizontal.  There is a plug that can be removed to allow a straight shot down the drain pipe as it runs toward the grey tank.  If you have the same setup, you should be able to run a long snake from that access point down the pipe all the way to the tank.

BE GENTLE with the snake!  Remember it is PLASTIC drain pipe that is getting old and might be kinda fragile.


1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #7 –
I would remove the p trap, yeah I know you said it was clear but then you got debris from a plunger. Best way to clean and assure a p trap is clean is to remove it and ya don't need any tools or chemicals.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #8 –
Chuck, I have had my head under the sink many times over the years.  I never noticed the sewer clean-out there, but sure enough I have one of those clean-outs.  Thanks for mentioning it. 
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #9 –
Pretty sure you will also want to replace  AAV, air admittance valve on kitchen sink line and posibly one in bathroom if it is on the same side of rv.

Admittance Valve, black, grey vent, slow drain, odor
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #10 –
Not sure which coach Ed and Kim have, but the threaded cleanout can typically be found by removing the back panel in the compartment under the refrigerator.  Helps to have a good flashlight and be a contortionist.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Unless the grey tank is full to backed up, that should not impact one sink's ability to drain. 



It will if the tank vent is plugged and the tub stoppered.  Some people like those stoppers that you step on with your toe to set and release.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
AND, when and if the grey tank does back up, it almost always will first flood the shower pan.  Don't ask how I know...

If I'm lucky, once the grey tank has filled to the tank vent, detergent bubbles come up in the other side of the sink while doing the washing up.

Second best is soaking your feet while showering.

Third is noticing the odor in the bathroom.  But the tub probably was ready for a good scrub anyway.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #13 –
Thanks to All.  Went to Home Depot and purchased a 15 foot snake and Woila!!!!!  Blockage appears to be gone.  Did the Kitchen Drain and the Shower Drain.  What do you suggest that I can put down the drain the get any other debris to move down the line?  Many Thanks Again.  Kim

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #14 –
Ed and Kim if you have a good shop vac seal off around vac hose and turn the vacuum on if it don't creat a vacuum then the air inlet valve is working
Screw that off and plug it then let vacuum suck out the rest of the debris.  I have used this method and it will usually work unless something has got in the line and solidified in which case you will have to use a snake.  As said previously go very lightly with snake in plastic lines
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR
 

Re: Help Needed!! Kitchen Sink Drain Clogged!

Reply #15 –

Great to see problem solved.  This has helped me prevent your issue and protect my new AAV, air admittance valves. Seelevel II in bathroom.

The temp on switch is only avail on ones from Garnet, mfg of See Level, Amazon unit has on/off only, not intermittent switch.  Bought mine from Amazon, Garnett shipped me correct switch nc.

Shared album - John Lewis - Google Photos

See Level 709P3W1003 Tank Monitor System Amazon.com: See Level 709P3W1003 Tank Monitor System: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan