Overflow and Plumbing Clog

[sethgmore]

These shells are remarkably thick! I think you’ll need to apply some brute force to get it to break apart… I’d bet you could drill a few holes in it, then get it to at least break into thirds from weakening the shell!

I’m also worried about it getting more stuck… — it appears to be right at the bulkhead, right where the 2”-1.5” reducer is… this means it probably won’t fit through the 1.5” pipe intact!

Ya I agree. I think my best bet is cutting the vertical portion of the pipe and using the auger I have to push the snail up and out.

 

[Jamie814]

What about redoing everything from bulkhead to the horizontal 2” pipe?

If the hole in the tank is sized for a 1.5" bulkhead, I would use a 2" x 1-1/2" PVC Schedule 40 Reducer Coupling. I would cut and redo everything below the bulkhead to 2" and put a suction screen (if there is enough room) or an intake strainer to prevent anything large from getting into the drain inside your overflow.

https://aquacave.com/intake-strainers/

 

[UncommonSense]

Ya I agree. I think my best bet is cutting the vertical portion of the pipe and using the auger I have to push the snail up and out.

It looks like you can just unscrew the plumbing from the bulkhead once you cut it!

 

[sethgmore]

If the hole in the tank is sized for a 1.5" bulkhead, I would use a 2" x 1-1/2" PVC Schedule 40 Reducer Coupling. I would cut and redo everything below the bulkhead to 2" and put a suction screen (if there is enough room) or an intake strainer to prevent anything large from getting into the drain inside your overflow.

https://aquacave.com/intake-strainers/

It looks like the bulkhead is for 2” but for whatever reason the builder reduced it and to 1.5” and back to 2” I don’t understand

 

[sethgmore]

It looks like you can just unscrew the plumbing from the bulkhead once you cut it!

Ya I’m going to do that I’m concerned of extra water going everywhere but the overflow is pretty much empty

 

[UncommonSense]

It looks like the bulkhead is for 2” but for whatever reason the builder reduced it and to 1.5” and back to 2” I don’t understand

Yeah it makes no sense, but is a quick fix, thankfully!

Hopefully you’re having some luck getting that pesky snail busted into pieces, pulled out intact?

Ya I’m going to do that I’m concerned of extra water going everywhere but the overflow is pretty much empty

Lay down a towel and place a bucket; it shouldn’t be more than a gallon at worst-case!

 

[sethgmore]

Yeah it makes no sense, but is a quick fix, thankfully!

Hopefully you’re having some luck getting that pesky snail busted into pieces, pulled out intact?


Lay down a towel and place a bucket; it shouldn’t be more than a gallon at worst-case!

This is where I’m at I’m shoving a hard stick up the pipe and it’s not budging the standpipe is connected to this piece so I can’t disconnect them, oh and the snake I put up is stuck too. Thinking the drill bit might be the best option

 

[UncommonSense]

This is where I’m at I’m shoving a hard stick up the pipe and it’s not budging the standpipe is connected to this piece so I can’t disconnect them, oh and the snake I put up is stuck too. Thinking the drill bit might be the best option

Oof! Try a length of smaller pipe, wood, etc; give your chosen stick a few light whacks with a hammer…

It looks like drilling the shell into oblivion might also be easier from the bottom now if you unscrew the NPT x slip adapter from the bulkhead!

 

[sethgmore]

Oof! Try a length of smaller pipe, wood, etc; give your chosen stick a few light whacks with a hammer…

It looks like drilling the shell into oblivion might also be easier from the bottom now if you unscrew the NPT x slip adapter from the bulkhead!

I can unscrew another part? Haha sorry I’m new to this.

 

[Jamie814]

Oof! Try a length of smaller pipe, wood, etc; give your chosen stick a few light whacks with a hammer…

It looks like drilling the shell into oblivion might also be easier from the bottom now if you unscrew the NPT x slip adapter from the bulkhead!

You can cut the black pipe above the coupling, take the nut off the bulkhead and it will come right out of the overflow.

 

[UncommonSense]

I can unscrew another part? Haha sorry I’m new to this.

It at least appears that the bulkheads you’ve got are NPT! — this silicone used on the left one in your photo is my hint to that!



The hexagonal “nut” you see is the end of the bulkhead fitting, try grabbing onto it with a pipe wrench or large pliers, so it can’t spin on you… then, use another wrench or large pliers to unscrew the 1.5” NPT x Slip adapter from the bulkhead fitting!

 

[UncommonSense]

You can cut the black pipe above the coupling, take the nut off the bulkhead and it will come right out of the overflow.

Or, you can indeed cut the pipe and just couple it from there!

 

[sethgmore]

Or, you can indeed cut the pipe and just couple it from ther

Or, you can indeed cut the pipe and just couple it from there!

Either way I’ll need to remove the nut correct? My issue now is the screw part on the bulkhead is stuck at the bottom

 

[sethgmore]

Either way I’ll need to remove the nut correct? My issue now is the screw part on the bulkhead is stuck at the bottom

Never mind I got it now

 

[UncommonSense]

Either way I’ll need to remove the nut correct? My issue now is the screw part on the bulkhead is stuck at the bottom

You don’t necessarily need to remove the threaded collar, unless you specifically want to take the bulkhead fitting out!

There is a hexagonal portion of the bulkhead fitting’s body, just below the threads that is used to prevent the bulkhead fitting from spinning. Immediately downstream of this is an adapter with threads on one end, and a pipe socket for cementing on the other end!

You should be able to unscrew this thread to socket adapter, and the associated downstream plumbing from the bulkhead fitting, preventing you from needing to physically remove the bulkhead/standpipe!

Alternatively, the standpipe inside the overflow box might unscrew too…

 

[sethgmore]

You don’t necessarily need to remove the threaded collar, unless you specifically want to take the bulkhead fitting out!

There is a hexagonal portion of the bulkhead fitting’s body, just below the threads that is used to prevent the bulkhead fitting from spinning. Immediately downstream of this is an adapter with threads on one end, and a pipe socket for cementing on the other end!

You should be able to unscrew this thread to socket adapter, and the associated downstream plumbing from the bulkhead fitting, preventing you from needing to physically remove the bulkhead/standpipe!

Alternatively, the standpipe inside the overflow box might unscrew too…

I see thank you I’ll try that. The threaded collar is stuck now though and I can unscrew it up or down so that sucks.

 

[Freenow54]

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.

Snake wont work try an air compressor and get inventive

 

[UncommonSense]

I see thank you I’ll try that. The threaded collar is stuck now though and I can unscrew it up or down so that sucks.

Hmm… now that’s a problem! Possibly take a quick break, then re-examine? I know I start taking shortcuts on personal projects when I keep hitting brick walls…

My immediate thought would be to use a bit of water on the bulkhead locking collar threads as a lubricant, and to soften up any salt/grime deposits in there! — apply then try again in 10-15mins!

 

[sethgmore]

Hmm… now that’s a problem! Possibly take a quick break, then re-examine? I know I start taking shortcuts on personal projects when I keep hitting brick walls…

My immediate thought would be to use a bit of water on the bulkhead locking collar threads as a lubricant, and to soften up any salt/grime deposits in there! — apply then try again in 10-15mins!

Alright I’m taking a lunch break. I got the bulkhead screwed back in thankfully. I think the long drill bit and destroying this snail is the best move. Going to grab lunch and get the drill bit. I’ve never hated a snail more in my life haha

 

[UncommonSense]

Alright I’m taking a lunch break. I got the bulkhead screwed back in thankfully. I think the long drill bit and destroying this snail is the best move. Going to grab lunch and get the drill bit. I’ve never hated a snail more in my life haha

Haha I don’t blame you!! I’ve always had this in the back of my head, but have personally never had an appreciable issue!

Great to hear that the bulkhead collar tightened back up! I usually go hand tight, then 1/4 turn with a tool… they love to leak! — keep an eye on that after reassembly! (There are multiple tricks that can be used to help them seal… consider snagging a small tube of plumber’s 100% silicone gasket lubricating grease if they have it at your store! — It works decently to help old bulkhead gaskets seal!)