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Clogged drain cleaner. Any successes?
I just went at my bathroom sink with a plunger. "Vigorously" might describe it. It got worse. I did dump in some drain cleaner I had laying around. Seemed better than dropping it off at hazmat. Like I Said it got worse. I think it actually helped that it clogged worse. It allowed the water pressure to push up against something. I almost felt it let go. It went with a whoosh! I did the usual fist pump and thanked the Almighty.
 I think drain cleaner is snake oil. My plumber is calling me tomorrow. It's gonna feel good calling him off. Any good preventative regimens out there?
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poof! gone |
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03-02-2016, 09:07 PM
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Run smooth, run fast
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 13,450
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Have you taken the trap off and checked to see if it's clogged? Sometimes that will show you what's wrong. Just put a bucket under it and take it off.
EDIT: Oh... I see you got it with the plunger. (I think I was thrown off by "I almost felt it let go." ---Almost? )Still... get some of this... The local plumbing supply store sells this stuff and we use it in the kitchen when it gets clogged (which seems to be rare any more)... works great... follow the directions to the letter: Thrift Drain Cleaner | Thrift Marketing, Inc.
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- John "We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline." Last edited by Heel n Toe; 03-02-2016 at 10:34 PM.. |
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03-02-2016, 09:27 PM
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Location: Los Angeles
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Sulfuric acid drain cleaner of any kind will work. Make sure you run lots of water after 15-20 min of sitting. Some drain may take longer. Immediately it should feel warm and within minutes, the trap way will feel hot. this stuff cleans and burns through anything that's clogging your p trap slowing it down. Every 6-8 months I dump some into all my drains. Soon enough, the tree huggers will outlaw it in CA.
This stuff is a great trap opener. |
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03-02-2016, 09:51 PM
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Location: Los Angeles
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Oh Vash, it will discolor your chrome or plastic stuff, so be careful and use a funnel if possible. Watch your eyes as it sometimes will splash as soon as it hits water. I don't pour into standing water in the sink basin. Let water drain away before pouring it onto the sink.
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03-02-2016, 09:53 PM
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Location: Los Angeles
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Hey is this your new house of old house?
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03-02-2016, 09:54 PM
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Now in 993 land ...
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Mechanical clean - coat hanger - has always done the job for me. Many long haired heads in my house too ...
For the dog pen area, I bought a large bladder to punch through the hair (0.5-3" long hair) in the drains - works great. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-331-Cleaning-Attachment/dp/B000KKRQUM G |
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03-02-2016, 09:55 PM
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Run smooth, run fast
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 13,450
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Sulfuric acid will do it, but IMO, why go nuclear when a much less hazardous option that will do the job just fine is available? Get a bottle of those crystals and you'll never look back, vash.
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- John "We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline." |
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03-02-2016, 10:19 PM
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Location: Michigan
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I have to take apart the j-pipe on our upstairs sink every couple of months due to hair clogs.
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03-03-2016, 04:02 AM
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Quote:
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poof! gone |
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03-03-2016, 04:26 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,334
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Drain cleaner has never worked for me. Cheaper and easier to buy a snake at the hardware store. I have a short one for simple jobs and a big long one for bigger jobs.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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03-03-2016, 04:55 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southern Pines, NC
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Thrift Drain Cleaner
Dump some of the crystals in the drain followed by boiling water (as instructed by our plumber)...it's never failed. I can only find it locally at plumbers supply stores
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Rick '89 Targa |
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03-03-2016, 05:04 AM
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Location: North of You
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I never use drain cleaner. Take it apart and clean the trap if you can get at it.
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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03-03-2016, 05:10 AM
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Slippery Slope Victim
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 4,398
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A good PM is white vinegar down the drain evry month or so. It gets rid of soap that leads to clogs down the road.
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MikeČ 1985 M491 |
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03-03-2016, 06:30 AM
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Location: Woodlands TX
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i've had decent luck with drain cleaner from home depot. I think it is a bit more industrial variety that actually smokes a bit when you use it. I think it is pure sodium hydroxide.
Otherwise I have a cheapo snake as well
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03-03-2016, 06:38 AM
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Location: wisconsin
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Quote:
Take off the trap, go to the hardware store and buy a snake for $25... |
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03-03-2016, 07:02 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston TX
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Snake...
drain cleaner only burns the pipes and cleans up what's in the trap. The snake is 25 feet of pipe cleaning goodness. You KNOW that there's stuff further down those pipes contributing to clogs... 
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Mike Bradshaw 1980 911SC sunroof coupe, silver/black Putting the sick back into sycophant! |
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03-03-2016, 07:34 AM
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You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 40,002
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It's usually the trap(hopefully).
Takes about five minutes to drop and clean. Buckets and towels. Snake the wall from there. Use hot water and fill the sink/tub/toilet until there is a good seal and vacuum. The plunger works best when pulling up. Slow pull then shake shake shake. Use an enzyme for preventative maintenance like Bioredex Natural Drain Cleaners - The Direct Source for Bio-Cleanand MegaMicrobes I use 1-4 cups white vinegar occasionally in the dishwasher to get rid of hardened soap and calcium.
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Meanwhile other things are still happening. |
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03-03-2016, 08:05 AM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Yup easier to just pop off the trap. Although our sinks have all been clogged up around the stopper. Pull that out and clean all the hair off usually does the trick.
Also if you don't want to go full bore with a big snake, I've had good success with the little plastic zip snakes for sink drains. 
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03-03-2016, 08:12 AM
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Quote:
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03-03-2016, 08:23 AM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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A plumber once told me to pour a quart of bleach down the drain once a month.
In my youth I used a snake on the main line... now I'm fat, old, and lazy and pay a plumber $100 to do that disgusting job. I have had good luck with those balloon things you screw onto the end of a hose and shove down the main line. However for a sink I would just remove the J trap... heck just go to Home Depot, get a new one and throw the old one out.
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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03-03-2016, 09:19 AM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
