Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Feb 28, 2009 02:58am | #1

   Left the stopper out of the adjacent sink? Put it in.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

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2. 
   JTC1 | Feb 28, 2009 04:10am | #2

   Take sphere's advice.

   Fairly common problem due to the two sink drain lines coming together in a T under the sink bowls.  Disposer pumps too much water for the drain to handle at the T and it backs up the drain line into the adjacent sink.

   Problem might be lessened by 1) cleaning the combined drain for this sink (afeter the T) or 2) making sure the sink venting is not partially clogged.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
3. 
   DanH | Feb 28, 2009 04:59am | #3

   What the others said, plus the problem could be reduced by rejiggering the drain pipes so that the disposal has a straight shot at the drain pipe while the other sink tees off.

   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
4. 
   sully13 | Feb 28, 2009 09:08am | #4

   The disposal should feed directly into the p trap thru the top of the "t".

   The other sink will connect into the side inlet on the "t".  99% of the ones I have seen backup are caused by it being the other way 'round.

   Could also be the waste line is partially clogged or running up hill or too far from the stack. 

1. 
   davidhawks | Mar 01, 2009 05:40am | #7

   Sorry for the hi-jack.

   Is that you Dave???The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.

1. 
   sully13 | Mar 02, 2009 06:33am | #8

   Hey Hawks!

   What's up!

   Have you talked with Brian about Vancouver?  I talked with him on Wednesday and had my name added to the list.

   Still not sure if I will go

   sully

1. 
   davidhawks | Mar 03, 2009 06:16am | #13

   Doubt I'll get to go due to past indiscretions.  No biggie, more interested in Singapore in Oct. if that happens.

   How was the B an B in PR?  We had an awesome time at the San Juan Marriott for 2 blissful days b/4 they could get us flights back to the states.

   Shoot me an email when you get a chance.  Good to hear from you.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.

5. 
   gotcha | Feb 28, 2009 05:08pm | #5

   S,
   Was there a disposal there before?

   Part of the drain system has kind of a restrictor that narrows the drain line somewhat just below where it drains from disposal. How I know this is my DW putting potato peelings in the disposal. Plugged up big time when it hit the smaller opeining.

   The best way to use a disposal is limited. My DW costs about $100 per year for Roto Rooter services.

   Pete

   
   

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   Edited 2/28/2009 9:09 am ET by gotcha

1. 
   slightner | Mar 01, 2009 03:26am | #6

   No, the house was on a septic system until recently so after the switch to public sewage it was installed. 

2. 
   barmil | Mar 03, 2009 04:51am | #9

   Great idea. I agree with minimal garbage disposal use -- put the bulk into the garbage or compost. I see its value as grinding small waste to avoid clogs downstream. Never starchy stuff, like potato or apple peelings, that'll stick to the pipes. I argue with the DW constantly over this. Maybe she should have to clear out the drain pipe once to learn. But then, she'd probably find something I do around the house that grates her nerves as much. Such is long term marriage.

1. 
   DanH | Mar 03, 2009 05:09am | #10

   We've put plenty of potato peelings down the disposal, never had a problem. So long as you run the water they shouldn't cause trouble.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

1. 
   deadmanmike | Mar 03, 2009 08:15am | #15

   Same here. Every food item aside from corn cobs, goes in. Never a problem.

   In fact, once a month I toss in a whole lime to clean and deodorize it.

6. 
   Scott | Mar 03, 2009 05:20am | #11

   Here's what I did, a bit unusual (two traps), but our resident expert PB and others didn't think it violated any code rules. It works very well.

   View Image

   Scott.

   
   

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   Edited 3/2/2009 9:21 pm by Scott

   
1. 
   DanH | Mar 03, 2009 05:26am | #12

   With sink installations it's often more of a question of what fits, rather than what's the theoretical "right" way to do it.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

1. 
   Scott | Mar 03, 2009 07:47am | #14

   >>>it's often more of a question of what fits, rather than what's the theoretical "right" way to do it.I sometimes wish the plumbing code, and those that enforce it, would take that approach.....Scott.

2. 
   jimjimjim | Mar 03, 2009 10:10am | #17

   Scott,

   Good photo.  Just to pick at nits, in California a sanitary T in a horizontal position would be a violation.  A Y or combo would be needed.  But I wouldn't kick since its accessible and its working for you.

   Why is your DW discharge going into the sink tailpiece instead of the disposer fitting for it?

   Jim

    

1. 
   Scott | Mar 03, 2009 06:02pm | #22

   >>>Why is your DW discharge going into the sink tailpiece instead of the disposer fitting for it?I dunno... I had the tailpiece anyway, and the DW was on that side, and I didn't feel like busting out the knockout on the GD...can't think of any more excuses. ;)Thanks for pointing out the Tee thing; I hadn't heard that before. Do you know what the reasoning is?Scott.

   Edited 3/3/2009 10:05 am by Scott

1. 
   jimjimjim | Mar 03, 2009 09:55pm | #23

   Scott.

   Thanks for pointing out the Tee thing; I hadn't heard that before. Do you know what the reasoning is?

   I can only speculate that the T is more likely (than a Y) to allow backflow of the kind Slightner was originally complaining about.

   Jim

7. 
   jimjimjim | Mar 03, 2009 10:04am | #16

   Slightner,

   Above advice to you sounds good to me.  And since nobody has (yet) mentioned it, your T should be a disposer T (with an internal baffle directing the disposer input to output) rather than a regular sanitary T.

   Jim

8. 
   Matt | Mar 03, 2009 02:43pm | #18

   One other thing....  When you use it, you turn on the water, turn on the disposal, and then add the food waste in slowly.  You DO NOT dump a bunch of food down there, then turn on the water, and then turn on the disposal.

1. 
   wane | Mar 03, 2009 04:34pm | #19

   Sully13 wins ..

   Deadman wastes allot of limes, wouldn't have to if it was set up right ..

   jim3, thanks, never knew what the internal diverter t's were called ..

1. 
   deadmanmike | Mar 03, 2009 05:53pm | #21

   Hey hey hey!

   #1 I keep limes on hand for the Coronas, and occasionally 1 or 2 go bad...they go in the disposer.

   #2 You have NO idea whether my disposer is set up right or not.

2. 
   gotcha | Mar 03, 2009 05:24pm | #20

   Matt,
   Yeah right. I tell my wife that and I get "the look". You know "the look", as in, "what do you know look".Our trouble is that somewhere down the line this stuff eventually clogs up. She does her best to do this at least once a year.Pete

1. 
   Matt | Mar 04, 2009 12:45am | #24

   I don't know anything either... :-)