delt4
17 years ... still waiting
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Pittsburgh, PA
 ·Comcast
| Looking for drain clean preventive measures
Just tonight, I snaked out our sink drain in the bathroom. Lots of black stuff and what not. Now the water drains normally. Aside from using a filter in the sink, which we use, can someone recommend ideas for preventing this in the future? I've heard of bio-drain cleaners that use bacteria to eat away at the dead stuff in the pipes. Is this any good? Also, what brand?
Also we ran thru some boiling water which helped. I just want to prevent this from happening again. |
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flibby3655
Premium
join:2004-12-19
Lompoc, CA
1 edit | I've been told by three different plumbers to use household bleach for preventative maintenance. Pour down drain and wait a few hours to use. Your mileage may vary.
edit: clarification
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The beatings will continue, until morale improves. |
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delt4
17 years ... still waiting
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Pittsburgh, PA | Interesting, thanks. |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | reply to delt4
a cup of bleach twice a year is an amazing thing. |
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Splitpair
Premium
join:2000-07-29
Cow Towne
 ·T-Mobile US
| reply to delt4
said by delt4  :Aside from using a filter in the sink, which we use, can someone recommend ideas for preventing this in the future? A couple of tablespoons of sodium hydroxide aka lye once per month will keep a drain clear of fats and other food contaminants, basically the lye dissolves the organic materials and renders the fat into soap.
Wayne
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If you cannot fix it with a buttset and some beanies you ain't a technician |
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wave_sailor
join:2001-04-23
Bloomingdale, NJ
clubs:
| reply to delt4
I have a habitual problem with a bathroom sink drain. Someone uses those moisturizing soaps and seems that they cannot run a little water down the drain to flush it out (they're afraid of getting in trouble for using too much water). So every four months the drain gets very slow. I have to get a Zip It to get all the gunk out. Even then it doesn't get all the gunk out.
I'll have to try the bleach maybe more often like once a month or even week. |
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tp0d
yabbazooie
Premium
join:2001-02-13
Carnegie, PA
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Hot water and a plunger is the best, and cheapest.
Run the hot water for at least 5 minutes, and fill up the bowl a coupla times, then drop it.
Also plug the overflow hole with a wet rag, and hit the drain with a plunger vigorously. You`ll bring back black chunks, try to grab any large ones. Do this with a half full sink of hot water.
I dont recommend any harsh chemicals, they can rot out older piping and cause a big mess. Bacteria may be helpful, I havent used any of that.
good luck
-j
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if it aint broke, tweak it!!
currently on FiOS (kick aZZ!) |
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