Best thing to un-clog your pipes in the bath tub...

[skywhr]

I tried drain-o and it just went on down, I poured hot water down 15 minbutes later and the clog was still there. I was wondering what you guys use. Any recommendations?

I cant stand it cause when I take a shower the water isnt draining fast enough....

 

[stonerdave]

oh...those pipes.

sorry couldn't resist.

 

[skywhr]

"Thanks for the nef A5S"-Hecubus2k

That was very insightful

 

[SuperSix]

Zep products seem to work for me, are you sure it's a clog (no water passing) or a slow drain caused by build-up? Make sure you buy the right thing based on what it's NOT doing.

I get Zep stuff @ Home Depot

 

[Tauren]

I just used the foaming stuff over night and it worked pretty well. I forget if it's Drain-O or Liquid Plumber, but it seemed to do the trick!

 

[Scott Newton]

We have to pour in the Enzyme stuff to eat away at the build up every 6 months. Liquid draino and Liquid Plumber really dont work too well. The foam is alot better since it ends up sticky and will stay to work on the pipes.

We didn't really believe the build up commercial (Didn't think the build up is that bad) until my inlaws remodeled their home and they dug the old pipes up. We took a look at a cross section and it was at least 50% clogged with build up. We then poured liquid draino on the pipe itself while in a bucket and the build up didn't budge. It was pretty cool and gross at the same time.

 

[SirFshAlot]

I thought this was referring to something else that guys do in the tub.

So, I'll take my vaseline and head to another topic.

 

[Ornery]

Check your plumbing supply house for sulfuric acid, I believe. It smells like rotten eggs, so I think that's what it's called.

I had the same problem about 10 years ago. Tried all kinds of cleaners with no success. Turns out I had the damn drain half closed! The lever that opens and closes was sticking.

It happened again a couple months ago. I was cleaning paint brushes and roller pans. The drain got slow and I thought that some of the coagulated paint and paint chips had gotten in the trap. I pulled the whole thing apart only to find that again, the drain's shut off valve was half closed! Aaarrrrggghh :|

Make sure the mechanism that closes the drain is operating smoothly and is adjusted right.

 

[sharkeeper]

Be careful when using sulfuric acid. It will destroy stainless steel fixtures in minutes!

I heard of a guy that put a garbage disposal under his tub! He must have been doing other things besides bathing in there! :Q

Cheers!

 

[Wuming]

hey i have the exact same problem: the water isn't draining fast enough in my bathtub. but i don't know if it's due to a clog or something wrong with the pipe. how can i know??

 

[ultravox]

Many times hair just under the drain causes this slow-down Check if there is not a big wad of it under the strainer. I have had sucess also with the tried and true plunger..just make sure the other drains in the bathroom are stoppered. If all else fails a plumber's fish will unclog anything..rent one from a tool rental place.

edit: Ever notice that when you call a plumber for a blocked drain/sink he never uses any sort of drain liquid but a fish? That should tell you something.

 

[Digobick]

<< Liquid draino and Liquid Plumber really dont work too well. >>

Actually, I have nothing but good things to say about Liquid Plumber. I've used it for a couple years now on any drain that is clogged up, and it seems to work very well.

But I used the foam version of it. It comes in a gold bottle that's split into two sections; when you pour it down the drain, the two liquids start to foam up. Let it set for about an hour, and then rinse with warm/hot water. Works every time.

 

[Ornery]

Wuming, did it ever drain quickly at any point in time? How old is the house? Was that bathroom thrown in by a do-it yourselfer? Did he put a vent in? Is it going into the ground under a slab? There may be a broken clay tile under there. Not good!

Try taking a garden hose and put it into the drain. Seal around the hose at the drain opening with a rag and hold tight while somebody turns on the water. If the water flows easily, there's no obstruction.

If you can get at the trap, pull it apart and look for lots of hair. If there isn't any, you might run a snake through the drain before putting it back together. Process of elimination to see where the problem is. You may need to snake the main drain too. Does the toilet in that bathroom drain OK? Are other sinks draining into the main drain alright?

 

[Webbed]

if draino foam doesn't work then you need to get a snake. one of those plumbing snake, not the real thing.