# Plumbers- what is this device?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 17, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671 "2024-05-17T03:36:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/21 "2024-05-17T19:04:10Z")

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> [@vbob](#):
>
> In my experience, just the reverse suction at the drain inlet helps dislodge the crud - some gets sucked up, the rest goes down - it’s not like the drain needs to be ‘clean’ - just not clogged…

That would be good to try first. You could also try blowing in air from the wet vac. My tub drain is located right next to the vent stack so it doesn’t work. Same for my sink. I had the main sewer line get eaten by draino so I replaced everything with wide curved PVC and all the problems went away. What a major cluster frick that was. Had to tear my entire kitchen ceiling down and the cabinets had to come off.

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**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/22 "2024-05-17T20:01:46Z")

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> [@Tride](#):
>
> Know the 2 rules of plumbing? Shit flows downhill.

A plumber friend told me something like, “If it is or was in a pipe, it’s just mud.”

…which also flows downhill.

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