Any suggestions on unclogging drains?

TeePee

TeePee

Senior Member
Location
Kentucky
My bathtub and sink in bathroom is clogged up most of the time. I've used Liquid Plummer and Drano and they work as temporary fixes and then they start getting sluggish again. I've tried plunging them, and again it's just as temporary fix. I'm trying to avoid calling a plumber because they are so expensive. I'm saving them as a last resort.
 

The zip it tool may help. Ive never had one, so I can't speak about it. I put baking soda down the drain, then pour vinegar over it and it foams up. Wait about 15 minutes after the foaming stops, then flush with hot (not boiling) water. Allow water to tontinue running awhile - about 1-2 minutes. If you've already tried Liquid Plumber and Drano, they should have achieved the desired result, but they are stronger than soda, and are often referred to as "corrosives" which can damage pipes. Although they are widely sold, any plumber I've ever known says not to use them.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
The zip it tool may help. Ive never had one, so I can't speak about it. I put baking soda down the drain, then pour vinegar over it and it foams up. Wait about 15 minutes after the foaming stops, then flush with hot (not boiling) water. Allow water to tontinue running awhile - about 1-2 minutes. If you've already tried Liquid Plumber and Drano, they should have achieved the desired result, but they are stronger than soda, and are often referred to as "corrosives" which can damage pipes. Although they are widely sold, any plumber I've ever known says not to use them.
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My wife did this several times a year as preventive maintenance to our kitchen drain, bathroom vanity and bathtub. I think she learned it the hard way at some point in her life. I believe it is a lesson well learned so I continue doing it myself.
 
TeePee said:
My bathtub and sink in bathroom is clogged up most of the time. I've used Liquid Plummer and Drano and they work as temporary fixes and then they start getting sluggish again. I've tried plunging them, and again it's just as temporary fix. I'm trying to avoid calling a plumber because they are so expensive. I'm saving them as a last resort.
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Don't know why those are clogged most of the time. Once you manage to get a better outflow maybe these will help to prevent future problems.

Google
drain screens for bathroom tubs

drain screens for bathroom sinks
 
BeefStu said:
My wife did this several times a year as preventive maintenance to our kitchen drain, bathroom vanity and bathtub. I think she learned it the hard way at some point in her life. I believe it is a lesson well learned so I continue doing it myself.
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That's good point to use it as prevention. It won't harm the pipes.
 
All good suggestions here, but if you have a well-established tree or trees within 10-20ft of either that bathroom or your house's main drainage line, you might need a plumber. Since you're saying clogs are a chronic problem, that was my first thought, although a too-small or incorrectly installed elbow could cause that problem, too.

But if your area has a Habitat for Humanity or similar organization, volunteers will fix it for free or for very low cost.
 
Yes to what @Murrmurr said about tree roots. I lived in two homes where the tree roots choked the life out of city sewer lines —- on my property so I had to pay🤢🤢


My bathtub drain stopped plugging up when I stopped washing my hair in the tub.

I put a piece of paper towel under the stopper in the kitchen sink and wash my hair there. The paper towel under the stopper catches the hair.

I don’t shave my legs in the tub either. For my legs, I use a small pail of water, then throw it out when I’m done. But I live in the country, so I can pretty much do what I want🤠🤠
 
Murrmurr said:
All good suggestions here, but if you have a well-established tree or trees within 10-20ft of either that bathroom or your house's main drainage line, you might need a plumber. Since you're saying clogs are a chronic problem, that was my first thought, although a too-small or incorrectly installed elbow could cause that problem, too.

But if your area has a Habitat for Humanity or similar organization, volunteers will fix it for free or for very low cost.
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You hit that nail on the head. My house is surrounded by trees. Although I enjoy them, they can be a pain. One fell on the house a couple of years ago causing a considerable amount of damage. I'll keep that in mind, if all else fails.
 
Try one of the enzyme drain cleaners. They won't work for complete stoppages, the water must be draining to some degree. Initially they have to be used over 3 days. Also if there are any chemicals in traps that will kill the enzymes. The stuff works for soap gunk, hair etc, but won't do anything for roots. If it works, then using it monthly as maintenance works pretty well. Call your local hardware store and see what they have, I would think you could find the directions online to see if it something you're interested in.
 
I doubt that it’s tree roots or a break in the pipe because you are able to clear the clog.

For a slow drain, without standing water, I usually start with two pans of boiling water.

I pour the first one in and let it sit for 5-10 minutes and plunge, repeat with the second pot.

The vinegar and baking soda is the next step up followed by two more pots of boiling water.

Slow drains and maintenance are a fact of life.

Stainless steel mesh hair catchers from the Dollar Store are helpful if they work with your drain.
1766297508335.jpeg
A zip tool, from the Dollar Store, or a hook made from an old wire coat hanger are helpful in clearing hair clogs.

Always start at the Dollar Store and work your way up! 😉🤭😂

I try to stay away from caustic chemicals because if they don’t work you end up dealing with a clog and a potentially dangerous toxic soup.

Good luck!!!
 
Put your drain cleaner in last thing at night and
leave it all night, in the morning pour a big pan
of boiling water down and see if that helps, if you
know, "How To", remove the "P" trap, or the "S" bend
under the sink, take that off and clean it separately.

Good luck.

Mike
 
Aunt Bea said:
I doubt that it’s tree roots or a break in the pipe because you are able to clear the clog.

For a slow drain, without standing water, I usually start with two pans of boiling water.

I pour the first one in and let it sit for 5-10 minutes and plunge, repeat with the second pot.

The vinegar and baking soda is the next step up followed by two more pots of boiling water.

Slow drains and maintenance are a fact of life.

Stainless steel mesh hair catchers from the Dollar Store are helpful if they work with your drain.
View attachment 474579
A zip tool, from the Dollar Store, or a hook made from an old wire coat hanger are helpful in clearing hair clogs.

Always start at the Dollar Store and work your way up! 😉🤭😂

I try to stay away from caustic chemicals because if they don’t work you end up dealing with a clog and a potentially dangerous toxic soup.

Good luck!!!
Click to expand...
I finally got my drains unclogged with baking soda and vinegar. I did order one of those zip it's for any future problems.
 

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