It’s an old concrete laundry sink with a glued PVC p trap (I’m assuming) and it’s currently clogged. Snake isn’t hitting anything and isn’t making it through the p trap. It looks like there is a no hub coupling connecting trap to sink drain and then a flexible couple connecting the trap to another run of pvc.
Some photos for context:
Pic 1 The sink. Pic 2 the sink close up (currently there is a 1/4” of water that is hard to see). Pic 3 the plumbing underneath.
Couldn’t I just remove the trap by removing both couplings giving me lots of access to the potential clog? Then just reinstall with the same couplings?
FYI Total plumbing novice here just trying to avoid calling the plumber.
Also…Age of all elements is unknown but definitely over 8 years old. Honestly could be 15-20 years. Worried about old couplings providing a seal when reinstalling due to being old and worn out.
Thoughts, comments, suggestions? Or be should I be prepared to replace some or all (or just call a plumber)?
Update: I’ve accepted the answer because I successfully removed everything with no problems. Haven’t reassembled but I don’t foresee any problems.
Here is how it looks:
I snaked the pipe and pulled out what I think was a dryer sheet which hopefully was the probably.
There was no signs of lint built up at couplings. I couldn’t get the full length of the snake into the pipe but most likely that’s because it’s hitting the end of the line. Just in case I’m going to use a longer snake that has a bigger head(?) and if it doesn’t do any better I’ll put things back together and see if it drains.
I’m probably going to start another question but in case someone sees this and knows the answer they can comment.
The drain pipe going into the wall doesn’t look like it had much of a slope. Enough to drain obviously but should I go ahead ahead and increase it a bit? You can see in this photo of the interior of the p trap from the stains that water probably stands in there.
Best Answer
Loosen the couplings and yank. Looks like it was glued in, then it clogged, and was cut out and coupled back in place.
You can either replace with new couplings if you're terribly worried about them sealing, or you can wait and see if they fail to seal and replace them if and only if they don't seal, as you prefer. Either way is cheaper than a plumber.
Don't forget to cover (e.g. plastic bag and a rubber band) the exposed drain pipe except when you are snaking it to reduce sewer gas entry into the home with the trap off.
One possible source of clogging here, is if the previous person did not smooth the cut ends well (that are inside the couplings.)