Replies

1. 
   DeanWine | Aug 19, 2003 12:31am | #1

   I've had great success with a water jet snake.  Hooked to the hot water, it blasts five high-pressure streams of water as it goes down. 

   It has the added benefit of washing down the clog as it clears.  That said, it only works on clogs, not objects...

1. 
   allaround | Aug 19, 2003 03:54pm | #17

   First, call a professional drain cleaner out to get rid of the clog, then forget all the hype you see in the TV ads about grocery store drain cleaners.  They're expensive, many are harmful to pipes, people and animals and most don't work well at all. 

   Find a plumber that sells Bio-Clean, buy a 2# tub of it and use it according to the directions - once a nite in all drains for the first 7 - 10 days, then once a month after that.  It's a bacteria/enzyme combination that is completely safe for the pipes AND people/animals, but eats the stuff that builds up on the inside of drain pipes and keeps them as clean as new.  I was skeptical until I actually saw the results of using it.

   The initial cost is more, but it lasts longer, so it's cheaper in the long run - safe for septic tanks, too.

1. 
   tenpenny | Aug 19, 2003 04:26pm | #18

   And stop using the stupid garbage disposal.  Garbage goes in the garbage, not down the sink.  Jeeez, whoever invented those goddam things should be shot.  Adding all that extra biomass to the waste treatment systems.  Screwing up plumbing.  Grumble grumble grumble grumble grumble.......old fart that I am.......

1. 
   andybuildz | Aug 19, 2003 04:30pm | #19

   That should be a thread in itself.

   I'd like to hear what others think of your statement....that'd almost be like giving up T.V............although I haven't had a garbage disposal in almost 6 yrs.

   Be well

             andy 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   Sancho | Aug 19, 2003 05:48pm | #20

   Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and call in a another trade. Thats why there are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers ect. There are specialist in every field. Thats why we use them.

   But I have used the salt/baking soda/ hot water with success. But after you get the problem solved you need to perform regular maintanence by running the salt baking soda/ hot water through regularly..a ounce of prevention.... 

   Darkworks:  No Guns No Butter squilla and the bling bling.

2. 
   Planeman | Aug 19, 2003 05:53pm | #21

   Ah, but a wise old fart you are! I'm on a septic system and when I moved in I had it pumped out and inspected just to be sure. The plumber gave me a bit of advice that he said would pay for it's self many times over. 1st, buy the biggest and baddest garbage disposer you can find and then forget you have it. 2nd, garbage goes in the trash, water goes down the drain. I have followed that advice for years now and never had a problem. Unfortunatly others in my family (wife & kids) are untrainable, thus the big garbage disposal comes in handy sometimes.

   Just a bit of advice to the starter of this thread. When you do finally call in a pro, be sure you tell him about all the caustic junk you have put down there. Plumbers tend to get a bit pissy when all that drano and stuff comes back on their tools.

   Experienced, but still dangerous!

2. 
   brownbagg | Aug 19, 2003 12:49am | #2

   roto ruter.

1. 
   Ronbaby | Aug 19, 2003 01:44am | #3

   thanks for the obvious but how bout an idea before I call them?

1. 
   joeh | Aug 19, 2003 01:55am | #4

   Try the roof vent, it's your best shot. If you're trying to shove it into the wall under the sink it ain't gonna happen.

   Have fun, Joe H

1. 
   Ronbaby | Aug 19, 2003 02:02am | #5

   I cleaned this line once before, a few months back...30 feet in with the same snake Im using now. This ones only 10 feet in. Im looking for some ideas on disolving this mess other than liquid plumber or boiling water and baking soda. Thanks again.

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Aug 19, 2003 02:46am | #6

   Well, let's see......

   You've already tried the chemical process -- the liquid plumber. Don't know how long you let it try, but it hasn't worked, so.......

   You also tried the rented snake method. That was an excellent idea, but it didn't work either.

   Bite the bullet. Call a pro. Make it his (her?) problem. Sure, it will probably cost a couple of hundred bucks, maybe more. But I'd bet that you won't have the problem again in a month, because a pro is gonna get to the cause, not just the symptom.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

3. 
   Luka | Aug 19, 2003 02:51am | #7

   please tip me..

   Boy, are you lucky those farmer boys can't read.

   ; )

   Anyone got any tips on removing a stubborn clogged drain?

   Two pipe wrenches will usualy do the job on removing any stubborn drain. Clogged or not...

   A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   rez | Aug 19, 2003 04:13am | #8

   Bet you got roots in there or a hack job with a sharp turn. Probably take one of those $1200 snake machines with the Klingon weapon on the end of it.

   Those roots will keep on coming back once they've centered in. Makes all the plumber's who own one one of those machines very happy campers.

    Is it an old clay tile drain?

    

    

1. 
   Ronbaby | Aug 19, 2003 04:30am | #9

   its pvc. goes under my slab on grade house. I really dont think the problem is roots. When I run the snake through it comes out with all kinds of crud on it. I think the problem is my roomates and I overuse the garbage disposal. We are always grinding something up in there and its just accumulating in the lines. I just mixed baking soda and vinegar  and flushed it down with some hot water. Hopefully thatll loosen it up for another snake run in the am.

1. 
   Luka | Aug 19, 2003 05:08am | #10

   Now pour a gallon of vinegar in there.

   Don't forget to have the stopper ready.

   A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Aug 19, 2003 12:48pm | #15

   Lets see, he already put baking soda in there, and now you say add vinegar. Didn't we make tin foil rocket fuel with that combination? Hope he has a good plumbers plug for the sink, otherwise he will be cleaning his ceiling.

2. 
   Luka | Aug 19, 2003 09:46pm | #22

   Told him to have the stopper ready, didn't I ?

   ; )

   Whatta you tink I am ? Completely witless ?

   Wait, don't answer dat...

   : )

   A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.

   Quittin' Time

2. 
   pm22 | Aug 19, 2003 05:27am | #11

   Now you've mentioned roommates. Is this a rental? If so, now it's your landlord's problem.

   ~PeterView Image

1. 
   Ronbaby | Aug 19, 2003 05:33am | #12

   ha! Its a rental alright, but I rent it from my brother while hes stationed (Navy) up in Chicago.

2. 
   andybuildz | Aug 19, 2003 02:29pm | #16

   All the time and money you've already spent must say something to you.

   Says yu shoulda called a roto rooter guy....would have been cheaper by now.

   Be a squirrel in the drain

                         andy 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

3. 
   toast953 | Aug 19, 2003 08:28am | #13

   Hmmm, just happened to be cleaning out, a kitchen drain, myself today. A rental, it was, and  is. I don't like garbage disposals, and I don't like anything but  "water", going down drainlines. Have  you ever seen what dry cat food does when it gets wet??, Use the strainer, well at least I do. Jim J, ps before you call the Landlord, I'd read the lease, and the move-in sheet, you know the one, that says all drain lines are clear and functioning. eh eh

3. 
   rez | Aug 19, 2003 12:43pm | #14

   Oh Ok.

   Sounds like it's time to cut back on the potato peels.