New home plumbing problems?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I bought a new cottage home about 16 months ago. Within a month or so when we ran the garbage disposal dirty water would come up in the opposite sink. At first I figured that it was because everything was new and maybe it needed to be broken in. So I just bought a plunger and that seems to take care of the problem. After a couple of weeks it happened again so I called the warranty department and they sent a plumber out. He told us that it was because of a new government regulation requiring a baffle in one of the pipes. He suggested that we run the water for a few seconds before running the disposal. We follow this advice, but the problem keeps occurring. It's now happened twice with the last week.

Does anyone else have this problem? Has anyone come up with any kind of solution?

[photo1902]

I bought a new cottage home about 16 months ago. Within a month or so when we ran the garbage disposal dirty water would come up in the opposite sink. At first I figured that it was because everything was new and maybe it needed to be broken in. So I just bought a plunger and that seems to take care of the problem. After a couple of weeks it happened again so I called the warranty department and they sent a plumber out. He told us that it was because of a new government regulation requiring a baffle in one of the pipes. He suggested that we run the water for a few seconds before running the disposal. We follow this advice, but the problem keeps occurring. It's now happened twice with the last week.

Does anyone else have this problem? Has anyone come up with any kind of solution?

Baffle tee's are nothing new, in fact they're required in double sinks, as only one trap is allowed. I would inspect/replace your Air Admittance Valve. Google it to see a photo. Its under your sink, and it used as a vent stack, since your sink is probably not against a wall (where a conventional stack would be).

[rjm1cc]

The baffle is a new one on me but I am not a builder or a plumber. This would have to be a county building code requirement so I would call that department and find out the requirements.
Just guessing, but the pipe from your garbage disposal sink to the other sink and on to the drain is probably level to the floor. Mine is. No slop downhill. You can probably put a light behind the pipe and see that it has stuff in the pipe.

A few years ago I think I recall a lot of discussions about the workmen putting stuff in the sewer lines as they build the house. Search the form. My guess is your drain line is plug and needs to be cleaned out.

To start I would fill up both sinks with hot water. Open up the garbage disposal sink first, disposal turned on, and after that drains open the other sink. Leave water run into the garbage disposal sink. You are trying to push out what ever is in the line. After this I would buy some chemicals and put in the pipes and let set for a few hours and then flush again.

If the above does not work then you need to use a snake to clean out the pipe.
The above assumes there is no baffle in the pipe.

I have had problems with my disposal and it was caused by the level pipe and coffee grounds and potato skins. Flushing the pipe as above solved the problem.
If you have a plunger use that to help increase the pressure from the water as it is draining.

[NotGolfer]

The entry of saying they had coffee grounds and potato peelings go down their disposal probably is part of the issue. It has been stated these shouldn't go down (nor carrots or any peelings) but into the regular garbage. We're very careful what we allow down our disposal!

What someone else said about the workers probably is true in "some" cases, as I've read that in this site before. I hope the OP finds a solution to this.

We have an intermittant issue in our bathroom sink where the water eventually is slow to empty. The plug has to be pulled and with that there is A LOT of gunk that needs to be cleaned out. I wish I knew of a better solution that won't hurt the plumbing.

[Chatbrat]

You might have a slight clog in the crossover pipe between the two sinks--there are certain things that should never go down a disposal, banana peels, onions, artichokes, clam shells

Our house just about 6 years old-replaced the builders line disposal with a 3 stage Insinkerator Evolution Multigrind--what a difference

[village dreamer]

or rip out the double sink ,replace with a single sink and remove garbage disposal, done.

[retiredguy123]

It sounds like a venting problem. The sink is vented either through a pipe that extends to the roof, or to an automatic vent device located under the sink. You need a plumber to verify that the sink is properly vented and that the vent is not clogged. I have never heard of a "baffle" being required in the drain pipe, but even so, it is defective. I would consider this to be a warranty defect that is covered for 2 years (see page 30 of the warranty booklet for drain and venting leaks).

[photo1902]

It sounds like a venting problem. The sink is vented either through a pipe that extends to the roof, or to an automatic vent device located under the sink. You need a plumber to verify that the sink is properly vented and that the vent is not clogged. I have never heard of a "baffle" being required in the drain pipe, but even so, it is defective. I would consider this to be a warranty defect that is covered for 2 years (see page 30 of the warranty booklet for drain and venting leaks).

The "baffle" the plumber was more than likely referring to is a baffle tee fitting. Google it, and if you have a double sink, you have one. I agree on checking the vent, as a clogged one could cause the drain issues the good Dr. is experiencing.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The "baffle" the plumber was more than likely referring to is a baffle tee fitting. Google it, and if you have a double sink, you have one. I agree on checking the vent, as a clogged one could cause the drain issues the good Dr. is experiencing.

I agree. I was busy today, but I'm going to replace the T tomorrow and see what happens.

[EdFNJ]

You might have a slight clog in the crossover pipe between the two sinks--there are certain things that should never go down a disposal, banana peels, onions, artichokes, clam shells

Our house just about 6 years old-replaced the builders line disposal with a 3 stage incinerator--what a difference

Damn .... you must create a lot of smoke. DO you also do discount cremations? :D

[Chatbrat]

My apple spell check got me again

[CFrance]

The exact same thing would happen to us (house built end of 2011) until finally the disposal clogged and we had to call a plumber. They said the same thing--run the disposal for a bit before putting anything into it. He also "accidentally" removed the baffle. But I don't recommend that as it doesn't solve the problem when you're emptying a sink full of water. We turn disposal on if emptying a sink full of water or any decent amount of food. It does the trick.

[Bosoxfan]

I was a plumber in my past life and rarely have seen people use their disposals correctly. People seem to think anything can go down the disposal without turning the water on. First off coffee grounds and vegetable peels should be thrown in the trash NEVER down the drain.These items tend to stick to the inside walls of your pipes choking off the opening. Second your water should be turned on before you turn on the disposal & not shut off for a good minute after you run the disposal. Once a month it'seems also a good idea to fill your sink or sinks if you have a double bowl and flush out the pipes.

[retiredguy123]

I have to agree with the guy who said to just get rid of the disposal. I never put anything in mine except water. It's the worst appliance in the kitchen. But, it was probably invented by a plumber for job security.