| Author |
Message |
    
Derek
Citizen
Username: Derek
Post Number: 16
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 1:42 pm: |     |
Got a slow drain in the tub. I've used liquid plum-r in the past when I was renting an apartment but since I now own a home and was told by someone (before buying the house) that this is bad for the pipes. If this is the case, does anyone have a better solution? |
andy02
Citizen
Username: Andy02
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 5:21 pm: | |
Derek,
Have you tried removing the drain grate and seeing if anything is there? Usually hair and other nice things get caught up right below the drain catcher. If that does not work your best bet for slow or clogged drains is to have it snaked by a plumber. Some of the over the counter chemicals can help but also in older houses can cause pipe damage. Sometimes bleach and boiling water helps but usually it is hit or miss. |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 79
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 6:30 pm: | |
Once a tub drain is clogged it is often very difficult to clear. Substitute a cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of vinegar for the bleach in that hot water solution and you may get better results more safely. Once the tub is running freely, use the same solution on all of your fixtures to maintain healthy drains.
An ounce of prevention...
Master_Plvmber
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ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 666
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 8:26 am: | |
Master P- How much hot water with the baking soda and vinegar and how often would you do it for preventive maintinance? Thanks. |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 80
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 5:09 pm: | |
Sorry for the delay in answering.
Try 4 cups water to 1 cup baking soda bi-monthly. Every drain in every home requires different frequency, I'm sure.
Master_Plvmber
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Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 1863
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 12:00 pm: | |
I read somewhere that running boiling hot water through plastic pipes (pvc for example) could cause problems (cracking? melting?). Assuming that not all of the affected pipes are metal, how hot can the water be and still maintain some degree of safety? |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 1864
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 12:04 pm: | |
Derek:
Do you use a hair catcher whenever you drain your tub? The hair catcher will prevent hair and other large particles from entering the drain and clogging it in the first place. I bought mine at the hardware store in the Village. I've also seen them in housewares stores and supermarkets. They are very inexpensive and well worth the investment.
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Derek
Citizen
Username: Derek
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 2:30 pm: | |
I have a hair catcher and I've seen the drain grate. This may be deep and since I just moved into this house, I don't know what else could be in there besides my wife's long hairs.
Thanks for the advice for the home remedy. I'll try it...when I can find the box that has our vinegar bottle! |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 82
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 5:09 pm: | |
PVC pipe can withstand water temperature of 140 degrees. Pouring boiling water down a cool drain pipe, especially where there is standing water (trap), should provide a satisfactory result.
Master_Plvmber
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