How to Diagnose Plumbing Drain Problems | Ask This Old House
2,937,314
Published 2017-05-14
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Cost: $10,000 in tools
Time: 1-2 hours
Skill Level: Advanced
Tools List:
- Gloves [amzn.to/31x4uDf]
- Drain Camera [amzn.to/2XdB5Pa]
- Drain Locator Tool [amzn.to/2Xb9Btz]
Steps:
1. Use a drain camera to look for possible obstructions in the main drain line of the house. Ensure the distance meter is reset before entering the drain to give an accurate measurement of where in the pipe a clog may be located.
2. Use a line locator to confirm the location of the camera under the floor.
Richard used a SeeSnake camera system to see inside the drain line and a SR-24 Line Locator with Bluetooth and GPS to locate the pipe under the floor. Both are manufactured by Ridgid [www.ridgid.com/].
Plumbing contractors can be hired to help diagnose drain problems. This diagnostic equipment can also be rented from home centers or tool rental shops.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Diagnose Plumbing Drain Problems | Ask This Old House
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All Comments (21)
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He did an excellent job of explaining how drains and vents work. I learned a lot and I've been doing plumbing for years. Love this show.
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This man is who every homeowner prays shows up when they call their local plumber.
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Wish I had Richard - I went thru six plumbers to find a leak to no avail so I understand the frustration. Turned out the county sewer department knew exactly where the problem was and saved me a fortune! Always check with them first to make sure the line is clear from the street to the house.
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I love how the home owner knows how to duck just enough to walk through the basement. Something you only learning after many headaches!
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9:42 That plumbing model at the end helped me understand things way way better
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2:17 Man I was NOT expecting a video on how to diagnose plumbing drain problems to involve digging up your bedroom floor
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You can tell Richard has a ton of plumbing experience. Good guy.
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Love the PVC mock-ups. Really helps me understand. You are also a very clear and articulate explainer.
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I don’t know how I got to watch this, but darn this fella knows plumbing, and I’m hooked. Thank you for all the info!
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This is why i am so thankful i have a crawlspace. Never understood why pour concrete over pipes.
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Wow! I have a feeling a lot of plumbers would have just thrown their hands up. This guy knows his stuff! Just goes to show the importance of proper venting in a plumbing system.
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Richard, you are the man!! I’ve watched your videos so many times on job sites with great success. Love this old house!!
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Hi Sir! I want to extend my gratitude for uploading such informative videos here on YouTube. I am from the Philippines and is currently reviewing for the Architecture Licensure Examination this June 2019. Your videos help me to have a visualization for the actual plumbing system and give me a vivid comprehension of plumbing concepts from the books, translated from actual plumbing problem stories. More powers to your team and God bless!
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After watching this video, I put drain snake into vent pipes and unclogged my drain pipe. Saved me hundreds or thousands of dollars. Thank you guys. You’re the best.
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I wonder if the homeowner ever made the repairs... that would be an interesting follow-up video to this exceptionally informative episode.
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Easily the best TOH video I've ever seen, and it's not even close. Full diagnosis and explanation. Incredible work. Too bad the first plumber he called wasn't as thorough, although I'm glad we were able to get this video as a result.
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Richard and his team are absolutely amazing at explaining the fine art of plumbing!
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This guy could make a hell of a bong.
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Most excellent teaching...Nothing better than learning from Pros...I'm a 30yrs. HVAC man, still learning that too...I feel good having watched this...I have learned, again, and still...Thank you, sincerely.
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MR. RICHARD TRETHEWY knows plumbing. My Grandpa was a plumber. I'm FACINATED at modern plumbing.
