How to Diagnose Plumbing Drain Problems | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tracks down the source of a clogged drain using some high tech equipment.

Cost: $10,000 in tools
Time: 1-2 hours
Skill Level: Advanced

Tools List:

Steps:
1. Use a drain camera to look for possible obstructions in the main drain line of the house. Ensure the distance meter is reset before entering the drain to give an accurate measurement of where in the pipe a clog may be located.
2. Use a line locator to confirm the location of the camera under the floor.

Plumbing contractors can be hired to help diagnose drain problems. This diagnostic equipment can also be rented from home centers or tool rental shops.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Diagnose Plumbing Drain Problems | Ask This Old House

[IAmKyleBrown]

I love how the home owner knows how to duck just enough to walk through the basement. Something you only learning after many headaches!

[jeffeisenmenger]

He did an excellent job of explaining how drains and vents work. I learned a lot and I've been doing plumbing for years. Love this show.

[portaadonai]

9:42 That plumbing model at the end helped me understand things way way better

[sherriianiro]

Wish I had Richard - I went thru six plumbers to find a leak to no avail so I understand the frustration.
Turned out the county sewer department knew exactly where the problem was and saved me a fortune!
Always check with them first to make sure the line is clear from the street to the house.

[eponymousIme]

Love the PVC mock-ups. Really helps me understand. You are also a very clear and articulate explainer.

[allclevernamesgone]

You can tell Richard has a ton of plumbing experience. Good guy.

[JesusJuenger]

2:17 Man I was NOT expecting a video on how to diagnose plumbing drain problems to involve digging up your bedroom floor

[Brian_P]

Wow! I have a feeling a lot of plumbers would have just thrown their hands up. This guy knows his stuff! Just goes to show the importance of proper venting in a plumbing system.

[AndrewLoui]

After watching this video, I put drain snake into vent pipes and unclogged my drain pipe. Saved me hundreds or thousands of dollars. Thank you guys. You’re the best.

[vlad]

I don’t know how I got to watch this, but darn this fella knows plumbing, and I’m hooked. Thank you for all the info!

[isiahmagno]

Hi Sir! I want to extend my gratitude for uploading such informative videos here on YouTube. I am from the Philippines and is currently reviewing for the Architecture Licensure Examination this June 2019. Your videos help me to have a visualization for the actual plumbing system and give me a vivid comprehension of plumbing concepts from the books, translated from actual plumbing problem stories. More powers to your team and God bless!

[OneVerySadPanda]

This is why i am so thankful i have a crawlspace. Never understood why pour concrete over pipes.

[thekimfamily]

Richard and his team are absolutely amazing at explaining the fine art of plumbing!

[Pskawt]

Richard, you are the man!! I’ve watched your videos so many times on job sites with great success. Love this old house!!

[andrewbrown]

Easily the best TOH video I've ever seen, and it's not even close. Full diagnosis and explanation. Incredible work. Too bad the first plumber he called wasn't as thorough, although I'm glad we were able to get this video as a result.

[krisone]

MR. RICHARD TRETHEWY knows plumbing. My Grandpa was a plumber. I'm FACINATED at modern plumbing.

[mpaul]

The moment I saw the family pictures in the bathroom, I had to stop the video to read the comments LOL

[MrSesmith]

This is a wonderfully made video! I teach a class called Be Your Own Handyman in Vermont and often reference TOH videos. This is a perfect video to share with my class on plumbing so homeowners can understand how their system works!

[plymsat]

I wonder if the homeowner ever made the repairs... that would be an interesting follow-up video to this exceptionally informative episode.

[doogetsatify]

Thank you for making great videos. I liked this video because it gives credit to the trade of plumber experience and skill led to a proper diagnosis. And the explanation to the homeowner makes a hard situation much more bearable.