Two Restroom Sinks Backing Up? How Cleanout Access Affects the Job

When two restroom sinks back up, reaching the connected drain can be a key part of the service. On one completed DMS Plumbing visit, the cleanout was recessed inside the wall at the bottom of a restroom cabinet.

Protecting the work area

Our technician protected the cabinet and surrounding area with tarps, removed a sink P-trap and drained the standing wastewater from both sinks into buckets. Specialty tools were needed to remove the recessed cleanout plug.

This preparation provided access to the drain while containing the wastewater. It also shows why a crowded cabinet or hard-to-reach cleanout is worth mentioning when arranging service.

Clearing the drain and checking both sinks

DMS used a drain cable through the cleanout to reach the fitting serving the two sinks. After the clearing work, the cleanout plug and P-trap were reinstalled.

The technician ran water through both sinks to check drainage and checked the disturbed connections for leaks. The collected wastewater was removed and the work area was cleaned.

The work on this visit was drain cleaning. It did not include replacing the existing drain piping.

What to tell your plumber

If a sink backs up, stop using it rather than repeatedly adding water. When you call, explain:

• Whether one sink or both are affected.
• When the problem began and whether it has happened before.
• Any known access limitations around the cabinet or cleanout.

Leave opening a backed-up drain to the technician. If the problem returns after clearing, report what changed so the next step can be evaluated.

For commercial plumbing service and drain problems, call DMS Plumbing at (702) 353-7335. We provide 24/7 plumbing service throughout the Las Vegas Valley.