Creating a sealed pipe before plunging

[tomtomato]

Hi,

I have a clog in my kitchen drain. I have bought a high pressure manual water blast/suction "plunger". However, I cannot create a sealed pipe, as there are two sinks, and also two outlets for the dishwasher and washing machine.

I tried to unscrew the various compression fittings, and block them with tape/plastic bags, but those don't hold under pressure, so the plunger does not work and water leaks everywhere when I try.

Is it possible to buy some 40mm screw caps to replace the various traps, and temporarily seal the pipe while trying to unblock it? Otherwise, how people seal the pipes before high pressure cleaning/unblocking?

Even if I call a professional plumber, how will he/she do pressure cleaning of the drain, apart from cutting the welded section and connecting a hose directly there?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Newboy]

Are either of the sinks running away?

 

[stardanny]

Best to use this:
http://www.diy.com/hand-tools/rothe...27_BQ&ef_id=VoZQeQAAAT-dQ9ZJ:20160101101001:s

Remove trap and go into waste pipe.

Daniel

 

[Newboy]

IF more than one sink and/or the standpipes for the washing machine are blocked then you need to be looking for an inspection chamber outside the building and checking for a blockage there. If multiple wastes are blocked then plunging from inside the house is unlikely to clear the problem

 

[tomtomato]

Are either of the sinks running away?

No, they both connect to the same 40mm waste pipe.

 

[tomtomato]

Best to use this:
http://www.diy.com/hand-tools/rothe...27_BQ&ef_id=VoZQeQAAAT-dQ9ZJ:20160101101001:s

Remove trap and go into waste pipe.

Daniel

Thanks, I have bought a 7m "snake", but it didn't help, and actually made the issue worse. The water was slowly emptying before, and it's hardly moving now.

The issue is that there are several welded bends and also the drain pipe goes for about 3 meters fairly flat (behind kitchen fittings) before going to a vertical pipe. It's in a block of flat.

I think applying some pressure is the only option, but I don't really understand how to seal the pipe properly first.

 

[nortonj]

Have you got any pics? Might be easier to cut the pipe in the affected area, clear and then re pipe

 

[dilalio]

If it's that blocked, over a considerable distance, you're unlikely to be able to clear it pneumatically, hydraulically or chemically... It'll need cutting out and replacing probably... And then regular maintenance to keep it clear!