liquid plumber/drano

do these work? i might need something like this for my bathroom sink.

I believe they have worked for me in the past, just let it sit for a while after you pour. I get the pourable gel liquid, which costs a little more I think.

A cheap snake from the hardware in far better than those crappy products. They only work about 25% of time on the not so serious problems. A snake almost never lets you down.

Liquid plumber and draino mostly just dissolve soap scum. Generally they are fairly poor at attacking hair clogs (probably the main issue in a bathroom sink or tub)

1: open up the p-trap under your sink, should just be couple of nuts and washers holding it on. It's probably full of crap. You can either take it outside, and shake it out/blow it out with a hose, or dig the gross clog out with a stick.

2: if the trap is clear, and the drain is still slow/clogged, get a pipe snake and snake your wall drain when the p-trap is removed. You can get a cheap pipe snake for like $10 at Home Depot.


If you absolutely must not get your hands dirty:

Go to Home Depot, and look for 10 minute hair clog remover. Barring that, buy the stuff that comes in a bottle that comes inside a clear PVC bag. That stuff is so potent that eventually it eats through the bottle, which is why the bag is there. If the bottle bursts, we know the bag will hold out long enough for someone to notice and dispose of the product. Follow the directions, and don't get any on your skin or in your eyes. Pray that you have a hair, soap, and grease clog, and that its not a root intrusion or anything else that chemicals won't fix. Cause then what happens is that you have a drain full of caustic lye that you are going to have to roto-root through with a drain snake. Which means you'll probably get it on you.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Liquid plumber and draino mostly just dissolve soap scum. Generally they are fairly poor at attacking hair clogs (probably the main issue in a bathroom sink or tub)

1: open up the p-trap under your sink, should just be couple of nuts and washers holding it on. It's probably full of crap. You can either take it outside, and shake it out/blow it out with a hose, or dig the gross clog out with a stick.

2: if the trap is clear, and the drain is still slow/clogged, get a pipe snake and snake your wall drain when the p-trap is removed. You can get a cheap pipe snake for like $10 at Home Depot.


If you absolutely must not get your hands dirty:

Go to Home Depot, and look for 10 minute hair clog remover. Barring that, buy the stuff that comes in a bottle that comes inside a clear PVC bag. That stuff is so potent that eventually it eats through the bottle, which is why the bag is there. If the bottle bursts, we know the bag will hold out long enough for someone to notice and dispose of the product. Follow the directions, and don't get any on your skin or in your eyes. Pray that you have a hair, soap, and grease clog, and that its not a root intrusion or anything else that chemicals won't fix. Cause then what happens is that you have a drain full of caustic lye that you are going to have to roto-root through with a drain snake. Which means you'll probably get it on you.
i'll try the draino first, and if that doesn't work, i'll start unscrewing things under the sink. i have 3 seperate tubes that connect to each other, and eventually to the wall pipe. the first 2 are straight and the last one makes sort of U shape. is that the p-trap? or i could just disassemble the whole thing. it's only 3 pieces.

thanks.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

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i'll try the draino first, and if that doesn't work, i'll start unscrewing things under the sink. i have 3 seperate tubes that connect to each other, and eventually to the wall pipe. the first 2 are straight and the last one makes sort of U shape. is that the p-trap? or i could just disassemble the whole thing. it's only 3 pieces. thanks.
Yeah the curvy peice is the p-trap.

If you open that thing up and you've never done it before, be prepared to retch. I have a very strong stomach, but the inside of a drain in a rented place (i.e., other people's... detritus) just about made me lose my cookies when I cleaned out my last apartment's sink.

Also, if it's not obvious, get some crappy towels and a tub or something to catch what comes out.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Yeah the curvy peice is the p-trap.

thanks. i'm on it.

Originally Posted by j

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Also, if it's not obvious, get some crappy towels and a tub or something to catch what comes out.
thanks for that. that had not occured to me though it may be obvious. p.s. i'm digging the multi-quote feature.

Originally Posted by j

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If you open that thing up and you've never done it before, be prepared to retch. I have a very strong stomach, but the inside of a drain in a rented place (i.e., other people's... detritus) just about made me lose my cookies when I cleaned out my last apartment's sink.

Way to go dude... you totally ruined my suprise.

I used to employ Drano crystals, every week. Worked so well. The crystals are no longer available, at least not around these parts. The way to use any drain opener, is BEFORE your drain gets clogged. Once it's blocked, I haven't found these store bought products to be effective. Prevention, is the way to go.

I do own a snake; it's helpful. But in the future, remember to use liquid Drano or LP, once a week to keep your drains running clear. Do not wait for another clog.

If by "work" you mean "get you high as a motherfuckin' kite on two huffs", then

Also keep in mind that Drano and it's ilk do as much damage to your pipes as they help. Tokyo's advice is best. I would add to go with the PVC p traps and pipes and replace the ones that are currently clogged. The PVC require no cutting, soldering or anything and are very easy to take apart if the need arises due to a clog.

Another thing that works well is to plunge the clogged drain just as you would a toilet. Fill the tub with water and use short vigorous plunging motions; works like a charm for most clogs.

Originally Posted by EL72

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use short vigorous plunging motions; works like a charm for most clogs.


And on most women

Originally Posted by edmorel

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And on most women

Hate to witness the expunged morellian man gunk.