Clearing a Blocked Drain on a ROOF | How to Use a Plumbing Snake

[@RogerWakefield]

What do you think should I do more blocked drain videos? Check out this video where I fix a sewer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJytoGSlbLdnbqc

[@thomaslevy9985]

Q? Pls how much cost $$ the yellow snake machine that r you using Over the roofing. Tks

[@thomaslevy9985]

Nice video

[@thomaslevy9985]

Q? Which is the name of the snake camara that r you using. The yellow one Thanks

[@markschiavone8003]

Roger Wakefield , I think you shouldn't try to disparage a contractor without knowing the facts. Maybe the plumber suggested replacing all the drain lines for a minimal fee and the homeowner said no.

[@plumbbuild6517]

@@markschiavone8003 maybe you should watch the video again and listen better next time

[@kennethdelacruz3933]

Professional and honest service like this is what every plumber should strive for! Love your channel and keep up the good work!

[@RogerWakefield]

Thanks for the support, Kenneth! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@luisbernardez4853]

Excellent work.

[@Samhain2323]

My wife asks me why I'm always listening to you !!! I explain that every word you speak is worth gold !!! That you are literally a master of everything possible in the industry !!! She doesn't understand !!!

[@LisaLongDesigns]

Thanks for unclogging my bathroom so fast! I hope to get this completely fixed sometime soon! Those roots were insane.

[@RogerWakefield]

Thanks for letting us film on your roof!

[@nelsonfan24]

Did they fix it and how much did it cost in total?

[@LisaLongDesigns]

nelsonfan24 They did finally fix the toilet when it clogged up again this month. And now they are coming back tomorrow to isolate another leak I have in my sewage line. Price still pending. 😬

[@nelsonfan24]

@@LisaLongDesigns Please, please post how much. I might be getting ready to have something like this done and I don't want to have sticker shock.

[@LisaLongDesigns]

nelsonfan24 It’s not cheap. Be prepared to spend over $10k

[@verbalswagrawkey1932]

Ok, Roger I found a clean out behind the kitchen drawers. I was super excited, got my 25’ snake, my DeWalt hand drill and Snaked and baked my way to and thru the kitchen pipe. I think I even whistled Dixie because I’m bad, I’m fix’n dad’s worrisome problem. When finished, I proudly showed pops, that I,,, his middle son, was worthy. He came to the kitchen to see my miraculous accomplishment. Turned on the tap and now everything is more Plugged. Now we have no drainage at all. The water stands in the sink, nary a drop goes down, basically it’s worse now. I give the fk up!!!

[@REParrent]

😆I pitty you, bro!

[@verbalswagrawkey1932]

@@REParrent snaked up from kitchen trap to the vent pipe that goes a foot above the roof. Works like a dream. I had no idea a vent pipe would fuk up the drainage

[@DrBilly90210]

LOL! Had the same thing just happen to me! Kitchen sink was draining slowly. Used my 25 foot manual snake and.... then the sink would hardly drain at all 😮. Rented a 50 foot power drain auger and it did the trick. $60 rental beats a $300 plumber service call.

[@kaneamora7371]

I’ve done this on top of a 3 story apartment. Getting that beast up there was always tricky. Most of the time we were pulling out baby wipes that people swear they never flush.

[@hedgefund9892]

When I find wipes and tell them that that is not a good idea to flush them, most say ,but the package says they are flushable. My reply is everything is flushable , just depends on how many times you want to call the plumber/drain cleaner.

[@OfficialHayden]

I’ve learned that It’s never them that flush them

[@davebuilds7261]

@@hedgefund9892 that and tampons, I’ll be discreet about it, but some people really get embarrassed and lie about the flushable wipes

[@bmccrowley]

@@OfficialHayden I pulled 25-30 washclothes out of my drain this way... Two year olds don't know about what not to flush. My landlord neighbor thought I was crazy for working on plumbing from the roof...

[@OfficialHayden]

@@bmccrowley I’ve been on numerous calls of a a clogged line where a kid has flushed a toy down it I’ve been on a coupe where I pulled the toilet and there were hot wheels cars in it

[@35jordon]

I'm grateful to those who taught me take the sewer line glove off when using the camera controls.

[@hmp1313AK]

I’m an electrician by trade but these videos make me want to start over. Even my kids love the videos and actually learn useful information

[@williammorris3303]

Did you just say you rather work in shit than with wires

[@oldironsides3992]

I do the exact same thing with Interior stoppages it is better to go through the vent then through a toilet waste arm. Also I try to do a tunnel if it's the cost effective way to not destroy their house. Love the video.

[@UrbanVanlife]

this is fascinating how times have changed when you can go in with a camera , nice vid man i hope your going to film the whole repair and job if you can . i want to see more . and wow that thing on the roof iv never seen any thing like that before we dont have them in the uk , not that iv seen

[@RogerWakefield]

Technological advancements have really changed my industry! We'll see how the customer wants to proceed and maybe we will go film it! It just depends

[@UrbanVanlife]

Roger Wakefield mate Iv just fitted the van out with 24-7 cctv for £46 . Times have changed and so much in some ways for the better

[@RogerWakefield]

I love seeing what you are doing brother.

[@ChuckD59]

I've got a 60' pine tree growing nearly over the outflow of my foundation drain. It came with the house. Took a few basement floods to figure out what was happening (on my own). There was no cleanout and it left the foundation at about 7' down. On the advice of an excellent septic man we dug down and installed 2 verticals to the surface about a foot apart with 90 degree bends at the junctions, one going toward the house, one going away. So now once a year he comes up with a cutting tool on a snake and it's about a 30' reach (7' down and about 25' toward the foundation) to where the roots typically appear. Point being, there is a tool that could be snaked down to cut through roots. Then I guess it'd be nice if there was a way to install an inner sleeve at the break and seal it. Blasting through concrete seems pretty radical, but I'm definitely not a pro.

[@timprior6849]

Roger, I have the exact scenario! I never thought of snaking from the roof. Thanks Tim

[@skyneo823]

Thank you Roger for this video. I love the honest and fair people and you are one of them. I learned something today as I learn something every day but my problem is I am 64 going to be 65 and have bad arthritis and knees don't bent back very painful. I wished I can do all the jobs myself and hep the people who can't afford expensive plumbers as I can do some electrical work too which may help to make living but right now I am working as a security person which don't require any physical or hard work so I am very thankful to Almighty Allah and pray for you and your entire family...Aameen.

[@randys5429]

I’ve been plumbing for 8 years now with 1 year drain cleaning experience mixed in. I’ve been told the taking a water hose to the vent first is best. The weight of the water usually pushes the stoppage down(nest,rodent). The one issue I see with a machine on the roof is reventing. You won’t know if your in the right branch of the vent. Any thoughts on that?

[@andrewrose5491]

I have a k50 sectional with a 25 ft 3/8 reinforced cable drum attachment and 100ft of 7.5 and 10 ft sections of 5/8 ths cable. For roof vents, showers and sinks the 3/8 th cable drum attachment is awesome. Light weight and versatile. For main drains it's slow and cumbersome and you have to lay out a tarp and manage the cable but this was my first machine I started out with. Now I own a 3/4 hp general drum auto feed machine witch is heavy but I'm more efficient and faster along with cleaner because it's all together. Living in a small town it's not feasible for me to get a camera but I'm looking for a used one. Never know what you find. Not to ramble but you need two machines. One big and one small. I use a jetter for mobile homes with is a game changer. Mobile homes use ABS that's glued and not primered so the jetter is not as violent as a spinner machine. Plus the membrane under the trailers you have to cut if the pipe comes apart. So many things to doing what we make look easy like anything else I guess. Thank you for your videos, it's nice to see others work and get tips here and there. KZbin university!

[@brianrobertson1211]

It used to freak people out when I unclogged drains from the roof. They thought I was crazy.

[@garyberliner9364]

Really like your videos! As a homeowner you give good information for understanding to make informed decisions.

[@eddyrivas5147]

Good job roger., .... I have done what you said at the end of the video ., I change toilet flange, the santee and part of the vent inside the wall to make sure is properly done

[@loluv1069]

would like to see how you get the machine on the roof

[@PrecisionSewerandDrainServices]

Roger I recommend Milwaukee Switch Pack for your roof access jobs. Very lightweight and its a back pack also its battery operated. I would check it out.

[@ninjafan16btw45]

You are an excellent plumber! Love your explanations.

[@bobber55]

I used a K-50 with ⅝" cable for roof vents. And a K-1500 with 1¼" cable for ground level use. I never ran machine while backing it out because, I did not want to lose anything that might have been caught on the cutter head. The ⅝" cable was easy to pull out but the 1¼" if it went through to many bends I had to 'unthread' it by running machine forward.

[@krASHExxx]

Roger! When I was younger my dad and I would snake the drain out from the roof every now and again. I remember carrying that heavy snake up and unclogging everything

[@lauren4209]

I use a k-60 with 7/8ths cables from roof vents. In KY we have 3-4" vents. I can lug it onto a roof and go back down for a spool of cables.

[@Hever73]

or the General I-95

[@reezo619]

Spot on analysis

[@PaulPeck]

Great video Roger! I almost got flushed...

[@RogerWakefield]

Paul, I CLEARLY said to NOT get flushed. You gotta be more careful man!

[@PaulPeck]

@Roger Wakefield, 😂

[@jesusmacias9748]

I yes like your videos I like to learn more about plumbing

[@themayorbnb]

Is a hydrojet not an option here? Those roots will come back for sure over the years but couple hundred bucks maintenance on the line over a few years is a lot more cost effective for the owner. Thoughts?

[@quincylewis6839]

Would root killer work?? temporarily...

[@unboxheroes1388]

does that camera ruin the pipe? and does the cam get damaged at all? keep these up love your chanel

[@TheFatbotard]

Unbox Heroes wouldn’t think so

[@charlesking678]

The camera doesn't ruin the pipe at all and cast iron/clay pipe doesn't mess up the camera.

[@charlesking678]

@Saltine Kracker how does cast iron/clay mess up the camera?

[@RogerWakefield]

The pipes can definitely handle the camera and the cameras are purposely built for this. The only time the camera can be damaged is when you use it incorrectly and try to unblock stoppages with it. Or, if there’s a break or channel your head gets stuck in. Thanks for the support!

[@guitar1301]

If you buy for price you pay twice with tools and equipment

[@562handsomemike]

From one pro to another…sweet mustache! Fits your face perfectly.

[@RogerWakefield]

Thank you handsomeMike

[@correctionalofficer4lockdo763]

How did you get your machine up there on the roof?

[@iandtexarkana4549]

I've seen plumbers quickly dispatch tree roots using chain snake (power snake auger with a small link of chains at the end) to remove roots from pipes, just like string trimmer to blades of grass

[@noahsingleton5867]

Me and my dad used to 2 man the big ridgid machine but now that I work at Roto Rooter, roof ins aren’t even allowed for safety concerns. We’ve installed a lot of clean outs since 😂

[@jtnoodle]

They don't do roof vents anymore? I worked there all the 90s. That's all we knew to do. 9 out of 10 jobs were roof vents.

[@swackhammer2139]

How would you tunnel uner the house? You'd have to go under the footer looks like at least three feet over. Sounds like it would be a big under taking compared to chipping up the floor

[@matssundin1292]

Can u use a garden water hose tp unclog??

[@meljenkins1016]

My house is on a slab so they have to go up to the roof to clear it out. I do not have a clean out. Is it easier for the plumber to go up on the rather than removing the toilet bowl and snaking out the blockage? Which is better ?

[@danrolli3576]

A route intrusion doesn’t mean a broken pipe they grow through the joints if the customer doesn’t want to replace the pipe and it’s still smooth, looking and straight, clean them out and use root x

[@scottsmith1278]

Man my toilet drain pipe is completely clogged I mean no movement in water level .. so I rented a 1/2x50ft drain cleaner. I ended up using all my cordage and to my surprise when I went to my back yard to see that my cordage coming out of my vent pipe off my roof. Should I assume it’s cleared out or should I I do it from roof

[@johng2837]

Option 3 do yearly maintenance. We use gorlitz sewer, jr, and niard. Depending on the job.We are highly trained drain cleaners. We can clear 98% of blockages. Not everything needs to be replaced.

[@EskelatorThePlumber]

True words of an experienced drain guy!

[@shaunwolfe7665]

Spartan is another great machine

[@petercreciun5446]

I've drug Spartan 300's up 3 Store Extension Ladders (my X Father In Law was Ol'School🙄) but a water hose 1st as I'm Ridgid Sectional 9 out of 10 I'm not even putting a head on it You upcharge for pull you camera out? If so what are you charging for camera work?

[@ptrobo2]

First plumbing video I watched on youtube and you got a sub 😂

[@bettyhouk8727]

Thank you for your information has helped my daughter and I to maybe figured out a plugged ? Sewage line ! 😇 Blessing and ❤️love to you and your family

[@andrewflores8895]

Just bought a k-400 ridgid. Great machine. Had to get on the roof to unplug. Just asking what did you charge to unplug?

[@victoryfirst2878]

What size pipe diameter that is used with copper pipe for the toilet ?? Three inch or 4 inch and what is the drop of the drain pipe per foot ?? Thanks I am just amazed that the plumber did not wind copper wire around the pipes and the roots would stay at bay. But they just want to keep coming over and billing the customer.

[@jcunning067]

I'm wondering if you have ever tried the Milwaukee SwitchPack machine? It's essentially a cordless sewer machine in a "backpack" form power by standard M18 batteries. I've heard many good things about it and it would probably be easier to get up a ladder.

[@RogerWakefield]

I haven’t yet but I absolutely want to.

[@H_o_g_a_n]

i think i pray in these situations! when you were pulling the camera out i almost thought you were going to play your signature work music in reverse; that would have been cool.

[@isaiah92]

Good stuff as always Roger 👍. On the roof I use a Spartan hundred machine. And whenever I do a repair like this the floor is getting jack hammered up regardless, but no liner will save you because the tie ins still have to be dug up. Bring out the jack hammer baby!

[@muffin9513]

Thank you for above comment.

[@editandoparaelmundo4582]

Great video, Im gonna follow you 😊

[@RogerWakefield]

Welcome aboard!

[@jorgevelasquez9955]

Great videos! We have an on and off sewer smell in one bathroom. We replaced the wax seal on the toilet but still have the odor. All drains are flowing freely and I checked in the basement for sewer leaks of which area was dry. We have a septic system. This bathroom is used frequently in a 2 bathroom house where there is no sewer smell in other bathroom. Help ! what should we check next?

[@MartinDee2000]

How many feet of wire do you recommend for a rooftop auger? (I have a 25' foot hand-turn auger for the tub.) I'm in a single story home with what you referred to as a Low-Pitch Roof.

[@Elbomboful]

I have a question. How do i feed a snake into a sink pipe. Not through the P trap, directly into the pipe. I cannot go a foot into the pipe because of a bend in the pipe

[@RogerWakefield]

Take apart the p-trap and insert the snake in the pipe in the wall

[@amyswanson1732]

How did the roots get in a vertical gas vent in the first place?

[@RogerWakefield]

They came in at the sanitary tee to the lead bend.

[@PlayRightParent]

How are roots growing in there?

[@edwardmcmillenjr8443]

If its a dead rat in 3 inch vent pipe will a drain snake grind it up enough to flow down stream thru main sewer line..or will the cork screw type snake head wrap into rats body so you can pull it out..if rat is dead it should eventually decompose and be a small skeleton with dried skin..it should crumple up with root cutter attachment..right?

[@giovannigiorgio8962]

Yes you may consider yourself old but that power 'stache adds about 100 horsepower to your chassis. God bless you

[@RogerWakefield]

Yes it does! 😂 thanks

[@veronicagonzales4781]

What about galvanized pipes? I can’t afford to replace them

[@davidstock2713]

Spartan #300 machine, 5/8ths cable, through minimum 3"-4" vent only. Key word only being is un-able to forsee just what is causing the problem within the sewer line? You can run the cable through a 1"1/2 or 2" vent, you will most likely clear the stoppage. Massive problem to follow, retrieving the cable with tree roots wrapped around it, pulling it back within/out through a 1"-1/2-2" vent. Nearly impossible, lucky if reversing the machine in prayer shot in hope's the roots fall off the cable during the process. If there is no 3"-4" roof vent available, pull the closet/toilet in the furthest bathroom rear within the house, machine un-plugged run the cable by hand to make the drop approx 4'-8' into the sewer line. Which is the closet bend, once you make the drop within the closet bend, Tree roots or anything like tampons, baby wipes,you will clear the line. As well as save yourself from the all to common cable retrivement if tree roots. Due to closet bends are minimum 3"-4", along with the existing sewer line. Then reset the toilet, problem solved without any roof excursions.

[@andrewt9590]

GREAT JOB ROGER I HAVE ALSO DONE THE SAME TO MY VENT STACK ON THE ROOF

[@drainboss]

Do you ever use Rigid micro reel systems?

[@stephenjones645]

Hey roger How safe is tunneling under a house my company doesn’t allow us to tunnel under houses we always have to jack hammer up the floor in this situation.

[@mpakirk]

Best video I’ve seen on this subject. Thanks!

[@guitar1301]

Looks like the roots are penetrating the pipe below the transition point?.. fitting possibly not glued on top side or a seperation. Unlike cast iron or terracotta, pvc or abs don't have sections that leak from hub unless it's not properly glued, crack or separation.... I have also seen roots penetrate piping where ferncos were not concreted underground.... here in New Jersey it is required by code...

[@RogerWakefield]

We have to at city taps.

[@robertburns236]

How did you get the machine on the roof

[@AaronHatcher]

For the life of me I can't find where the main line clean out is. The house I have is older so I wonder if there even is one. If I don't have one how can I get to the main drain line to unclog it?

[@joshjames2119]

I use a Milwaukee switch pack, then follow up with my Milwaukee camera, no cords to string out all over the place. Plus the Milwaukee camera links to my phone so recording and sending video and pics to the customer is so much more simpler than the time-consuming thumb drive

[@Harloha]

That's crazy having to tunnel under a house. I've made those repairs in Michigan and Oahu, without the tunneling part. Then I started lining pipes, didn't care for that, then went to bursting. Now, I just do residential plumbing installation and repairs. I give all sewer calls to my friend at Oahu Rooter. Much love and aloha everyone from Harla's Plumbing.

[@GunzNGearz]

Good video mustache man. I've done this to our house twice. Instant results. As soon as that clog is fixed you get a whiff lol

[@nathanielarthur3910]

Thank you Daddy l like the video.. Please there a sent in my client washroom, I have been working on it but it still there, please what should I do?

[@sebastianramos8491]

Thanks for uploading nice job as always Roger

[@RichyRooter]

What's the brand of the camera?

[@donflash1128]

Can you used a hand held drain cleaner tool..

[@justynkeane235]

What was the bathroom doing did you to diagnose this ?

[@brandonhorwath6351]

That vent pipe ends WAAAY too close to the roof deck!

[@waynecurr9569]

Just a question , Wouldn't it be easier to pull the toilet rather than haul the heavy snake up to the roof ?

[@Hever73]

Yes, that's an option too, I would've done that

[@christianrodriguez7478]

Hello I might have concrete in one of my terrace drainage, can that be unclogged or the drain pipe has to be replaced? Thank you.

[@RogerWakefield]

Yes, absolutely can be unclogged if it's not solid. It may be easier to just dig it up and replace it though

[@christianrodriguez7478]

@@RogerWakefield thanks

[@alinaoro5875]

Hello Roger omg I bought a house three months ago it was built in 1966 I like my house but two days ago one of my bathroom starting to do bubble. I’m really scared because I really don’t how is going to turn out and how much will cost to fix it

[@TishaRicks]

Hi there. WHO do I call to get to run a snake and camera down the roof vent? I’m. Having issues with a mildewy smell. Also, I live in VA.

[@RogerWakefield]

Plumbing company

[@lostcatfinderpetdetectives2284]

Can you just use a garden hose? Got issue w toilet gurgling when washing machine drains

[@RogerWakefield]

I have never tried it, so not entirely sure if it would work, but if its your only option why not 💪 good luck!

[@lostcatfinderpetdetectives2284]

@@RogerWakefield Just don't wanna risk making it WORSE or overflowing the vent/drains!

[@nickwiltfong238]

Hey Roger try the ridged k9204! So light and does a better job

[@lbjarnigan1]

Is there anyone in the Gastonia NC area you would recommend ? Pretty sure this is my problem

[@williammorris3303]

What camera is that

[@timothytate938]

So how does root get into y'all's plumbing vent?

[@andrewmontreal]

I`m having this issue,,started last summer,,plummer cleaned it from the main drain in the basement with a video after his work and like your video it was roots,,1 month later we made the decision to cut the tree next to the house,,last month again the water overflowed but now that it`s winter all he can do is cut out the roots,,this week,again,,I used the shower and the toilet overflowed from the bottom,he pin pointed with the camera like you did,so we have an idea where the roots from another tree are coming but with 3 feet of snow it is not really an option,what I did today was using sulfuric product,,3 doses and,,,no more overflow,,but the problem still remains so when spring comes we`ll make the big decision...thanks for your video

[@stephenpalmer350]

What cam is that

[@bob00machinrie]

hey roger have you try auto feed for that k-400 snake ? i love mine it make pulling stuff mutch easyer and wath brand of camera that is ? looks like a nice unit

[@jash7401]

If the home were on a septic system would you use any measures to prevent clogging material from ending up in the tank as it breaks up or Is this even an issue. I have may leaves on my roof and we get alot of rain.

[@edpoints1127]

Clean it once and install some type of mesh screening over the top. I've done it as a plumber countless times. An easy, homeowner capable fix

[@sh2697]

I think you said that you replaced the clay pipes from the home to the street 4-5 years ago. Why was there a break ten?

[@andrejobin3810]

Smell in basement..and my kitchen sink was slow ; so i did put acid stuff its now draining better, but where does that smell come from? Should j snake my vent ?

[@mastersfan04]

I've pulled Ridgid K500 on roof tops before. It's not a bad way to go

[@stefslyfe]

My dad had about a 15 ft section of pipe under the house that was completely clogged and he says that it came from this pipe on top of the house. What could’ve caused something like that?

[@seus2731]

more or less, how much would this cost?

[@marvojako6511]

Roger, is it ok to water jet the kitchen pipe vs. typical snake?btw, it keeps on clogging lately every couple of days.Thanks

[@prowannab]

I found a squirrel in my sisters vent pipe. Filled it with water and tapped the pipe gently with a hammer and it eventually broke free. I had a main drain pipe in the yard impacted with 4' of roots, I almost got a face full of ........um effluent when I got close to digging it out. That stuff shout up and out of the hole about 3'. Nasty!

[@miguelsantana8380]

Love you’re videos thanks for all you do🙏 Love that gold master license 😊

[@97warlock]

Whats a ballpark pricerange if its NOT roots & can be snaked out by a plumber?????

[@carl4967]

Nice stash 😁

[@theguymaxqc]

my wife need someone like you 😂

[@leelunk8235]

DON'T THREATEN HIM WITH A GOOD TIME

[@IvoryPitbull]

Is it standard for you guys to use pvc instead of abs for sewer systems?

[@RyanPratten]

Thank you for the informative video, Roger. I have some crazy in locking jobs of my own to do.