Overflow and Plumbing Clog

[Jamie814]

I’m hoping the snail didn’t get to far because there’s pipes underground but I’m assuming it got stuck early in an elbow

Before cutting the pipe did you try a pipe snake? If you cut the pipe and the clog isn't there, then what? Are you going to dig up the pipe?
You said you inherited this setup, did it come with the house? Who buried the pipe?

You could have an air lock if the pipe drains underground then comes back up into your sump.

 

[UncommonSense]

I don’t believe it’s 100% clogged because I still get slow water coming into the socks outside just not fast enough to keep up with the pump like before. Which makes me think it’s a snail. The cap on the standpipe is also glued on and it’s too tight to shop vac water through the standpipe opening. I might just cut and put a bucket under to catch any water still in there

That’ll work! I’m very curious to know what’s snuck its way in there…

Side note; is your overflow weir acrylic? If so, you can always solvent weld a replacement tooth or teeth in!!

 

[sethgmore]

That’ll work! I’m very curious to know what’s snuck its way in there…

Side note; is your overflow weir acrylic? If so, you can always solvent weld a replacement tooth or teeth in!!

Yes it’s acrylic I temporarily put and mesh covering over the broken piece. But that’s a good idea to weld a new piece on

 

[sethgmore]

Before cutting the pipe did you try a pipe snake? If you cut the pipe and the clog isn't there, then what? Are you going to dig up the pipe?
You said you inherited this setup, did it come with the house? Who buried the pipe?

You could have an air lock if the pipe drains underground then comes back up into your sump.

I tried an auger pipe snake from the sump outside but it got stuck where there was a T in the pipe. I wanted to snake through the standpipe with the auger but the cap is glued on and I can’t fit it through the opening of the pipe. I thought it was an air lock originally and pumped water through the sump up into the overflow but got resistance about halfway through which makes me think it’s a clog. That’s my issue is I don’t want to cut just to cut and then find nothing and have to reassemble. It came with the house. Was built by someone else. Originally was a sump under the tank but then the sump was moved outside and about 5 feet of pipes are under the ground outside. However cutting the pipes directly under the tank will give me the best access I’ve had to run a snake through up and down. I think it’s my best option at this point.

 

[Jamie814]

However cutting the pipes directly under the tank will give me the best access I’ve had to run a snake through up and down. I think it’s my best option at this point

Sounds like you have tried just about everything...

How big are your snails?
If this is a 2" pvc pipe that would have the be a very large snail to get stuck in it.

Where does the other side of the "T" go? Is there more room to cut the pipe by the sump and use the snake from that side? If it's snaked from that side, it may work better to dislodge a snail than trying to push or wedge it harder from the same direction it became stuck from.

Another thought,
You could drill a larger hole in the cap on the stand pipe that the snake would fit through then use a plug with a vent hole in it after.

 

[Hairyteeth]

Or just drill
A hole in the cap for the snake to fit through, drill the same size as a screw to n cap and replace after

 

[sethgmore]

Sounds like you have tried just about everything...

How big are your snails?
If this is a 2" pvc pipe that would have the be a very large snail to get stuck in it.

Where does the other side of the "T" go? Is there more room to cut the pipe by the sump and use the snake from that side? If it's snaked from that side, it may work better to dislodge a snail than trying to push or wedge it harder from the same direction it became stuck from.

Another thought,
You could drill a larger hole in the cap on the stand pipe that the snake would fit through then use a plug with a vent hole in it after.

The T on the sump separates the pipes that water runs into the socks. So there’s on pipe that runs straight down to the bottom of the tank (durso) and that one pipe runs vertical outside then up to where the sump is where the T is to separate two pipes to feed water into two socks. I like the idea of drilling a bigger hole into the standpipe and filling it after. What’s a good plug to use after I drill a hole? Also forgot to mention the snails are Trochus and turbo snails. The turbo snails are pretty large not sure if one got stuck in an elbow.

 

[sethgmore]

Or just drill
A hole in the cap for the snake to fit through, drill the same size as a screw to n cap and replace after

I like that idea thank you I’ll try that first

 

[Hairyteeth]

Just some sort of plastic r rubber stopper?
https://a.co/d/4Bo8vYsDrill
A hole in top and it’ll be like the way it is now

 

[sethgmore]

Just some sort of plastic r rubber stopper?
https://a.co/d/4Bo8vYsDrill
A hole in top and it’ll be like the way it is now

Ok and just wedge that in or glue it in

 

[Hairyteeth]

Yeah looks like it would plug right in without glue? I’ve never done this but it makes sense in my head and if o had a snake in hand…for sure

 

[sethgmore]

Yeah looks like it would plug right in without glue? I’ve never done this but it makes sense in my head and if o had a snake in hand…for sure

Ya I’m just wondering how to get it to fit in after drilling without there being gaps but maybe just gluing it in would work

 

[Jamie814]

Ya I’m just wondering how to get it to fit in after drilling without there being gaps but maybe just gluing it in would work

It doesn't have to fit tight. It's not even needed, the pipe can be open it will just make more noise. Pipes inside the overflow box should not be glued, there is no need to....for the very reason you now need to take them apart.

 

[sethgmore]

It doesn't have to fit tight. It's not even needed, the pipe can be open it will just make more noise. Pipes inside the overflow box should not be glued, there is no need to....for the very reason you now need to take them apart.

Gotcha. I know I wish it was just built as a stand alone pipe below the water level and it just all ran into it I don’t understand why it has to be a durso pipe with the intake pointing down. Do you think my best move is drilling from above first or cutting from outside. Going from outside will allow me to unclog the opposite way where from above might wedge it in more like you said

 

[Hairyteeth]

They also sell rubber stoppers that are tapered

 

[Jamie814]

Gotcha. I know I wish it was just built as a stand alone pipe below the water level and it just all ran into it I don’t understand why it has to be a durso pipe with the intake pointing down. Do you think my best move is drilling from above first or cutting from outside. Going from outside will allow me to unclog the opposite way where from above might wedge it in more like you said

A single stand pipe will be very noisy especially over a long up and down run like you have. It would create a siphon, gurgle and repeat constantly, like a toilet flushing over and over.

A durso with the intake submerged draws a small amount of air through the vent hole continuously to prevent a siphon and keeps it quieter overall.

Your plan of attack is up to you, I don't know which way would be better without seeing how it is setup.

 

[Hairyteeth]

Did we drill and snake? What is in there I wanna know!!!

 

[UncommonSense]

Did we drill and snake? What is in there I wanna know!!!

Haha I’m quite curious too!! Especially after seeing that photo of the pipe clogged full of bristleworms in another thread!!

 

[Hairyteeth]

Haha I’m quite curious too!! Especially after seeing that photo of the pipe clogged full of bristleworms in another thread!!

I saw that and almost posted and copied it here, I bet it’s the same

 

[sethgmore]

Ya

A single stand pipe will be very noisy especially over a long up and down run like you have. It would create a siphon, gurgle and repeat constantly, like a toilet flushing over and over.

A durso with the intake submerged draws a small amount of air through the vent hole continuously to prevent a siphon and keeps it quieter overall.

Your plan of attack is up to you, I don't know which way would be better without seeing how it is setup.

I love the herbie setups but I don’t wanna go through all the plumbing. I was actually able to take a piece of the standpipe off and I might have found the culprit let me know what you think.

Does it look like an upside down snail to you?!