We have a very old bank building that has sat empty for about 10 years. New tenant reports sewer back-up. Our maintenance guy spends all of yesterday trying to clear the line. He uses muriatic acid, no luck. He tries Power Crystals, no luck. He runs a 25' snake down the line after removing one of the toilets and has no luck. We call a local plumber who runs a camera down the line and finds a Tee where two lines meet and drop down. He cannot get the camera to go down the Tee. He pulls the camera and sends the Roto-Rooter down the line. They are unable to get that to go down the Tee. They bring out the high-pressure jet system. Same story. Now their solution is to tunnel. We don't even want to know what that will cost.

So, wise Outdoors Board folks, what are your suggestions? We have no way of knowing what is causing the blockage. It is not completely blocked because if you leave it overnight it will eventually all drain out. I just bought 4 more gallons of muriatic acid. The tenant is closed tomorrow so I was going to dump 2 gallons down the line and let it sit until Sunday and then dump the remaining 2 gallons.

Wait....sewer line you say....maybe this is a terrible idea after all.

Try a different plumber?

Tailgate88 said:

---

Wait....sewer line you say....maybe this is a terrible idea after all.

---

I actually joked that we should just drop some dynamite down the line. Great one!

Don't wear white?

Hang the janitorial staff "Do not enter. Cleaning in progress" sign on the bathroom doors. Permanently.

Where does the line go from the other side of the tee? What kind of pipe?

Situation resolved!!!

They actually found a clean-out that we didn't know existed and were able to clear the blockage.

A reward for your help:

Crap runs down hill and don't bite your fingernails.

First, I would say any plumber that starts with pouring acid is not a good plumber.
Second, glad you fixed the issue. However…
If at the Tee or spot of the blockage you have a busted pipe or joint that is now uneven you will continue to have blockages.
You can replace by busting it open (digging) or (this is ideal) find a company that does pipe relining. You don't have to trench and will fix the uneven levels and allow flow. This tech has gotten a lot better over the years and sounds ideal for this situation.

If the old line is clay pipe, can they re-line something like that?

Clay, old cast iron, plastic, rob roy (WWII) stuff. As long as there is about 2/3 of the pipe left you can line it. The tech in trenchless repair is really getting good. From UV drying to chemical fiberglass. You also see options to not only reline a full run of pipe but you can patch smaller segments as well.

Thanks for the info.

Check these guys out and call them if you have questions. Even though they are in SC they know all there is about trenchless repair and will help guide you if needed. https://www.draingear.com/pages/about-us
Text me if you have more questions. (College station) 450. 0258

sounds like it was a ****ty situation.

Texmid said:

---

Situation resolved!!!

They actually found a clean-out that we didn't know existed and were able to clear the blockage.

---

Sorry about that, too many chalupas.

Never mind, saw you got it resolved.

Texmid said:

---

Situation resolved!!!

They actually found a clean-out that we didn't know existed and were able to clear the blockage.

---

So, after 10 years of sitting vacant, what was the blockage? Roots?

SanAntoneAg said:

---

Texmid said:

---

Situation resolved!!!

They actually found a clean-out that we didn't know existed and were able to clear the blockage.

---

So, after 10 years of sitting vacant, what was the blockage? Roots?

---

The plumber said he could not tell what it was. Due to the location of the blockage I cannot imagine it was roots.