Plumbing/Landlord Question

[nanoreefer22]

Just curious but is the landlord of my apartment building responsible for cleaning clogged drains? Or is it something we have to hire a plumber out of our pockets to do?

The landlord said the last time they came that it was the last time they were going to fix it. Yet after they left the drain was still clogged.

 

[Domboski]

I've heard the same thing from my super once. I don't have a definitive answer for you though. Sorry

 

[DaddyReefer13]

I would check the lease to see if says that the landlord is sole responsible for the maintenance of the place.

 

[jejton]

It might also depend on the cause of the clog. Is it your hair for instance? or is it a long-standing plumbing problem ?

 

[Chapz]

Is it a Co-op? Rental? If so the super is supposed to fix it. If it gets too difficult for the super, the building management is supposed to call a plumber to fix the clog and you dont pay for it. Happened to me twice already.
If its a condo, ur on ur own.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

If you have J's landlord on the other hand he'll tell you don't need drains at all :lol2:

 

[jejton]

Actually! that was something he did fix. This landlord of mine operates on a set of logic that is bizarre to us mere mortals I guess.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Actually! that was something he did fix. This landlord of mine operates on a set of logic that is bizarre to us mere mortals I guess.

:lol2:

 

[nanoreefer22]

Well we've been in the apartment for the past 14 years and we've been having problems recently, so I'm assuming it's been building up over the years. It's a rental, I'll ask my mom to take a look at the lease and see what it says.

 

[jejton]

it also depends on how many apartments are in the building. if it is 3 or more ( as it seems to be ) then its a multiple dwelling housing and different ( better for tenant ) laws apply. but to be honest, from my experience, if its not something too expensive, it sometimes pays to do it on your own and not ruin a good relationship with your landlord. on the other hand, if you ask them to fix it they might not think twice about doing it so it all depends on the landlord and your relationship.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Very True Jejton. They've fixed it before, but it seems to be a half way kinda fix.

The problem is when we use the kitchen sink for too long while washing dishes the water starts to come up through the tub, which is disgusting in itself.

Anyone know of the best way to go about tackling this problem the DIY way? Tried some drain clearing products..nothing yet...

 

[jejton]

Try borrowing or renting a plumbers snake and see if you can clear the drain.

 

[masterswimmer]

Kris, it sounds as if you have a clog downline from your sink. The clog dosen't sound like it's in the trap, so no need to open that.

Next time you're in HD or another store that carries plumbing supplies, look for ZEP products. This specific product has been great for me.

When your kitchen sink backs up into your tub next time, pour 2x the amount that the directions tell you, down the drain of your tub AND kitchen sink. Make sure there is 'standing water' in both the tub and the sink. Pour the ZEP into the drain, through the water. It is extremely caustic. Wash hands after use. Don't get it in your eyes. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

This is the inexpensive way to trouble shoot your problem. I hope it works for you. LMK if it does or doesn't.

R

 

[FRY]

Pour the ZEP into the drain, through the water. It is extremely caustic. Wash hands after use. Don't get it in your eyes. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

i cant say enough i whould not give this advice to any body to use drain cleaner,over the the last 40 years i have clean so many drains in homes and apt, and the owners used caustic cleaner didt work and was left in the pipes now when opening the pipes to get to the clog caustic spill all over ,how many times ive seen the person useing this getting splash in the face and geting burn,allso leave caustic drain cleaner in the pipes long enough it will start to eat away at the pipes

kris if you want to borrow a electric drain snake ill lend you one,

 

[jejton]

Ditto to the above. THough I have no experience myself, I've been told the same by a few plumbers. The super of the place I worked for told us never to use it because oftentimes it doesnt work and then the plumber gets splashed by it when opening the pipes to clean them properly.

 

[masterswimmer]

Kris very clearly stated that a plumber had already 'fixed' it. Yet it was still clogged after the plumber left. This lead me to believe that the clog is nowhere near where the plumber was able to get to the pipe.

I've had great success using the ZEP. I included cautions. Used properly it is a great product.

To each his own.

swimmer

 

[duke62]

i had the samr problem with clogged drain.hey kris do u have a new type of tub with the stopper that controls the tub water.if you do take out the 2 screws and pull out the stopper mine collects hair and crud from the kitchen sink.if that is not it keep the stopper out and use that hole to put down a snake.works for me all the time.every time i have a clog its always in that area