need plumbing drain suggestions-

[barnyardgal]

I have a kitchen sink-2 bathroom sinks-2 showers that drain out into a lagoon..thats all that drains into this as toilets is separate drain that drains into septic tank....the central air & water softener also go down this same drain...

I have this problem with the kitchen/bath drains getting clogged up at least once a year & cannot figure out why...no grease goes down the drains,only soapy water...I use dawn dish soap & to shower with we use bar soap/what ever is on sale...

When we use the roto rooter it breaks loose & lots of white gunky stuff comes out-reminds me of wet powdered soap like Tide powder getting wet...the washer DOES NOT drain into this either-it is separate drain also...

What the heck is it & what causes this?? I had a plumber out the first time & he did not know what it is,said maybe grease,i told him no grease goes down the drain at all!! The plumber said to use dawn dish soap with very hot water once a month to keep this from happening...I did do that a few times but then forgot about it,well it got clogged a couple days ago & water backed up into the basement & had another mess,although we did catch it before to much damage...
but just wondering what the heck might cause this buildup...The main pipe drains are 4" if that matters & that's where it gets clogged at......

I tried using drano then vinegar/baking soda then very hot water to try to get it opened back up this last time & nothing would break it loose but the big electric roto rooter....

It kind of seems like the soap suds are sticking to the inside of the pipe & causing build up...?????
Guess i will have to remember the first of the month to pour hot water/dawn soap down the drain to maybe keep this from happening??

Thanks for any suggestions~~

[pancho]

Calcium in the water. Might need to put a little more slope in the drain line.

[ninny]

Soap buildup...

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[frankva]

Do you have several lines all tied in at that point? And elbows?

Do the lines drain completely?

How far to the lagoon and how much drop?

Who is dumping 2 cans of Comet down the sink?

[Darren]

I'd check the vent lines to see if they're allowing the water to flow fast enough to carry everything out with the flow. Another possibility is an incorrect slope or low spot on the drain line. If it's underground and it wasn't installed properly, the line can settle and create a low spot that allows stuff to settle out, slow the water flow, and eventually buildup enough to completely block the water. If it's an underground slope issue it's shoddy construction. The only practical thing you can do is continue with your cleaning regime periodically.

[hillbillytn]

Sounds like grease. Do you cook with grease.

[Big Dave]

It sounds like a snag catches a hair. when that happens another will catch and it will catch soap residue, The white stuff is soap scum. If all you need to do is use a snake anually count your blessings. Are there trees close by? If so it might not be hair clog.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Draino Max Gel. Every three or four months.