Why does my kitchen drain pipe go up and down instead of just going down, causing constant clogs that even Green Gobbler can’t solve?
Asked by Félix López 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 25, 2024
I’m curious about why my kitchen drain pipe goes up and then down instead of just going straight down. I’ve been dealing with a pesky clog in my sink that even Green Gobbler can’t seem to fix.
Wait, what did you say? Haha
I’m not sure where those pipes lead.. do you think the vents go upwards?
Are you certain that the pipe you’re looking at is a drain pipe and not a gas pipe for appliances?
Could you post some better pictures that show the entire drainage plumbing system? It’s important to see from the sink all the way to the main drain stubout. Clearing everything from underneath would improve visibility.
Seems like the vent you mentioned could be the issue. It’s quite unusual for houses that old. The tee from the trap leads down to the drain and up to the vent. The vent goes up and over from there. The tee and pipe in the middle are likely connecting the vent to something else, probably downstairs.
That is definitely a drain pipe. But why does it heat up when hot water runs through it? Could there be a clog causing heat to build up in the vent pipes?
Hey , it’s possible that it’s clogged and draining through the vent. Is the down pipe also getting hot?
Hey , unfortunately, you will need to replace the pipe. If you have access underneath, you might be able to replace it in sections, but it’s risky not knowing how far down the clog is.
Hey , that’s a vent. The water should be going down, not up. Some of that could possibly be converted to abs. Clogs are happening because of the old, rusty pipe. The vent seems out of alignment, it should slope upward. From this angle, it looks like it’s sloping downward to me.
Oh, it might be a good idea to remove all of that and begin fresh with modern materials in the 21st century.
Would be happy to, but needs to locate it first. These pipes are old and heavy.
Is that a loop vent?
If that’s a T on the upper right corner…
Is there a loop vent?
So, , this method allows for running a drain and vent in a loop when traditional venting is not possible due to structural constraints. Can you clarify if there’s a tee on the upper right side and the piping extends to the right off-screen? Or is it an elbow pointing downwards?
Even though it’s a loop vent, it might not meet Ohio’s requirements since it doesn’t extend above the sink’s flood level.
Also, don’t forget to clean out the vent side for maintenance purposes.
Seems to resemble a T-shirt, and I’d wager it goes upwards from there. Something below must be connecting it all.
Actually, that’s a vent pipe. Unfortunately, it seems like the pipes are corroded, so snaking might not be very effective and could even cause damage. It might be a good idea to consider replacing everything with PVC in the near future.
Oh, it’s a vent
Call a plumber to replace the clogged metal pipes with PVC
It’s a bit tricky to tell from the picture since we can’t see everything clearly. Generally, anything above where the sink connects should be a vent. If there’s water above the drain, it could indicate a problem with the main drain line. You might want to consider removing and replacing all of it for a lasting solution.
If you can, try snaking the drain. I had a similar issue with my sink where the clog was too tough for regular cleaners to handle. Turns out, the pipe had broken and someone used a rubber adapter that caused a buildup. After snaking the drain, it stayed clear for a while.
Hey, it’s time to bring out the big boy. I’ve got one that’s never been used.
It looks like it’s time to remove and replace that section. That should do the trick!
That’s a vent that’s starting to fill with water due to a backed-up drain. It’s definitely a good idea to contact a plumber for this issue. It might require some snaking and re-piping.
The plumber you hired
It’s difficult to determine, but some of that might be related to the ventilation system.