Anyone ever have a clogged shower pipe?

[WoodysGirl]

Well... there should be a turn off valve or two of them for the water to that room.
if you have a basement the shut off valve should be there.

Hold on I'll link a picture.

No basement.. This is Houston remember? lol

Uhmm, I think I know where the valve is, but I'm not sure how to access it.

 

[Idgit]

House is 40 yrs old. Built in the 70s. Pipes are probably original, so galvanized?

What does snaking entail? What do you need to do that? @Idgit @Tabascocat

A drain snake will cost you $20, and they’re pretty safe. Normally their for drain lines for all the obvious reasons.

In a feed line, you probably don’t have an organic blockage. It’ll be mineral, or something like an aerator/filter that broke loose someplace and got stuck on its way out. Did the guy you called out suggest the pipe needed to be replaced completely? I would think a plumber could clear a blocked feed line pretty easily if the pipes themselves aren’t completely shot. For $15k, he must have been selling you on a complete pipe replacement. Right?

 

[65fastback2plus2]

House is 40 yrs old. Built in the 70s. Pipes are probably original, so galvanized?

What does snaking entail? What do you need to do that? @Idgit @Tabascocat

galvanized was like a 1940-1950's thing.

1970's you should have copper and copper lasts a longggggg time.

 

[WoodysGirl]

A drain snake will cost you $20, and they’re pretty safe. Normally their for drain lines for all the obvious reasons.

In a feed line, you probably don’t have an organic blockage. It’ll be mineral, or something like an aerator/filter that broke loose someplace and got stuck on its way out. Did the guy you called out suggest the pipe needed to be replaced completely? I would think a plumber could clear a blocked feed line pretty easily if the pipes themselves aren’t completely shot. For $15k, he must have been selling you on a complete pipe replacement. Right?

Yeah, he was trying for a whole house re-pipe. I don't have the coin for that kind of job. And based on what you described, I question whether he even looked at the shower to try to fix it.

So if it's a mineral deposit, would a snake still work or is it a plumber job?

 

[WoodysGirl]

galvanized was like a 1940-1950's thing.

1970's you should have copper and copper lasts a longggggg time.

I legit don't know. I watch too much HGTV.. lol

 

[Longboysfan]

No basement.. This is Houston remember? lol

Uhmm, I think I know where the valve is, but I'm not sure how to access it.

everything on a slab.

Do the pipes run under the house?

I recently had a pipe break under the house here.

cost $2500 to fix they ran the pipe over the top through the attic.

 

[Longboysfan]

Yeah, he was trying for a whole house re-pipe. I don't have the coin for that kind of job. And based on what you described, I question whether he even looked at the shower to try to fix it.

So if it's a mineral deposit, would a snake still work or is it a plumber job?

Doubtful on the snake to fix that. the snake would have to be very thin.

 

[WoodysGirl]

everything on a slab.

Do the pipes run under the house?

I recently had a pipe break under the house here.

cost $2500 to fix they ran the pipe over the top through the attic.

Pipes run through the attic.

 

[Longboysfan]

your talking about water in not out - correct?

 

[WoodysGirl]

Doubtful on the snake to fix that. the snake would have to be very thin.

And so CLR or the like won't work either, huh? lol

 

[Longboysfan]

Pipes run through the attic.

Should not be that expensive to check and fix then.

 

[WoodysGirl]

your talking about water in not out - correct?

I guess water In? Meaning, I want to use a shower and it's not flowing. That's it.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

heck its prob copper, you can cut out a huge section and push together a new section for like $30 by yourself

 

[Longboysfan]

There should be a place where the pipes split to go from one room to another.

 

[Longboysfan]

What are the pipes made of up in the attic?

 

[WoodysGirl]

heck its prob copper, you can cut out a huge section and push together a new section for like $30 by yourself

Probably a job for my handyman.

 

[WoodysGirl]

There should be a place where the pipes split to go from one room to another.

What are the pipes made of up in the attic?

Again.. *shrug*

I said galvanized.. but could be copper. But honestly, I don't know.

All I know is I hate using the little bitty tub in the hall bathroom.

 

[Idgit]

Yeah, he was trying for a whole house re-pipe. I don't have the coin for that kind of job. And based on what you described, I question whether he even looked at the shower to try to fix it.

So if it's a mineral deposit, would a snake still work or is it a plumber job?

Look for “clean shower supply line” on google. I’ve seen a few people discussing using vinegar solutions or pressurized air to clean the lines. Can’t recommend one way or another for that.

A plumber ought to be able to use pressurized air for you too. The other option if that doesn’t work is the pipe replacement, but even that’s not a $15k bill.

 

[Longboysfan]

Probably a job for my handyman.

Yes. He or she should be able to figure out the pipes.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Look for “clean shower supply line” on google. I’ve seen a few people discussing using vinegar solutions or pressurized air to clean the lines. Can’t recommend one way or another for that.

A plumber ought to be able to use pressurized air for you too. The other option if that doesn’t work is the pipe replacement, but even that’s not a $15k bill.

I think I saw that vinegar solution thing online too. I have plenty of that to at least give it a try.