http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018193945Oh my.
crunch60 (948 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 06:42 PM
Need advise on how to uncolg the water in the kitchen sink. I have tried baking soda, vinegar, hot water, still runs slow, any suggestions? Trying not to call the plumber cause $$$$
Incitatus (3,299 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 06:48 PM
1. Draino
I find the generic store brand works just as good. I just had to use some to unclog a sink. It was $5 for 1/2 gallon and I only needed 1/4 of the bottle.
tandot (6,169 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 07:03 PM
3. Try a plunger
http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumbingrepair/ss/unplug_sink_3.htm
If vinegar and baking soda doesn't work, I always use elbow grease and a plunger. The trick is to use quick, sharp plunges (as described at above link). I never had to call a plumber for clogged up drains.
Fla Dem (2,546 posts) Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:08 PM
23. Will a plunger still work if you have a garbage disposal?
I've used a plunger successfully on bathroom drains, and toilets (ugh) before, but figured with the GD it would not be as effective.
tandot (6,169 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 07:05 PM
4. Also, if you use a plunger, be prepared for a totally yucky mess coming up, depending on what is clogging up your drain.
Major Nikon (5,841 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 07:49 PM
5. Draino first, then plunger, then a snake
If you don't have Draino on hand, I would go with a plunger first, which will fix a clog 95% of the time.
You can buy a 15' snake at your local hardware store for about $10. They are ridiculously simple to use and the directions are included when you buy it. If a 15' snake won't fix it, it's time to call a plumber unless you're really handy with such things.
Curmudgeoness (8,181 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:57 PM
9. No no no no.
Do not use Draino first, then a plunger. Ever. If any of the Draino is still in the pipes, and you plunge, that can splash back up and it is very caustic. It is always suggested to use no drain cleaning product prior to using a plunger, and if you have used a product and still have to call a plumber, please let the plumber know what you used so they don't get hurt.
Hassin Bin Sober (6,872 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 10:56 PM
14. Good advice. Plumbers hate working on pipes with Draino in them.
It's dangerous to the plumber and it ruins tools.
Always warn the plumber if you used Draino or something similar. Unless you call Joe The Plumber - then **** 'em (just kidding).
My advice would be a local handy-man for a slow drain. Maybe a $60 dollar service call versus $200 for a service plumber (at least that's the rates where I live).
Major Nikon (5,841 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 11:28 PM
17. Never had a problem
You wouldn't want to splash pure Draino on your skin, but by the time it gets diluted with a sink half full of water the corrosive properties are going to be reduced to the point at which there's very little danger, and if someone is plunging to the point of splashing water all over the house it's probably time to try something else anyway.
whistler162 (4,741 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 08:42 PM
7. Empty 1 gallon plastic bottle
place in drain push out all the air. Make sure you plug up any holes.Works quite well.
crunch60 (948 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:38 PM
8. thanks so much for all the advice
so far, I have plunged (as you advised)after the vinegar and Baking Soda, hot water, the water is draining, but extremely slow. Now I'll try the gallon jug method and tomorrow I will go buy a snake and use the draino.
Curmudgeoness (8,181 posts) Sat Sep 15, 2012, 10:00 PM
10. I find that when using a plunger, it works best if the pipes and sink have water in them. Did yours? If not, put a plug in the sink, put water in, open plug and plunge right away. I have never had to use anything but a plunger to open a slow drain.
grasswire (35,062 posts) Sun Sep 16, 2012, 04:54 PM
24. If you have to use Drano, I find the red label works best.
I dunno; clogged drains haven't been much of a problem for me. Usually the plunger works.
However, one time about ten years ago when I was living in an old house (not out here, but in town), I got exasperated and went to the hardware store and got a quart of liquid sulphuric acid.
They're so touchy about this stuff the bottle, made of thick plastic, was wrapped in a thick plastic bag.
I dumped some of that in, and that took care of the problem. Permanently.
Now, I wouldn't recommend decent and civilized people use pure liquid sulphuric acid but maybe only once or twice in their entire lifetimes, but it'd be okay with me if the primitives used this trick every time they had a clogged drain.
