Plumbers?

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,648
4
81
Anyone ever had to call them? Our townhome is only 2 years old, yet our main shower drain started to significantly drain slower than normal

I'd try a snake or a hanger, but the layout of the drain doesn't allow objects like that to pass through
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,716
15,117
146
Obvious question...have you checked for hair clogs yet?

When I had my long hair, I'd pull enough hair out of the drain every month to re-fur a yorkie...
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
All shower drains should have a 'P' trap which is usually where clogs occur. After removing the drain cover plate, advance the snake while rotating it til it reaches the "P" trap. If your shower does not have a "P" trap, you have a bigger problem than a slow drain.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,716
15,117
146
Originally posted by: Newbian
Originally posted by: BoomerD
Originally posted by: Newbian
Ask for joe.

Why? Wouldn't he be better off with a REAL plumber?

But who else will advise us on the rest of the world? :(

THAT's where Joe the Plumber excels...just not with a pipe wrench in hand...:D
 

CRXican

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
9,062
1
0
stick a coat hanger in there

woman in the house = loads of hair in there
 

an51r

Senior member
Feb 5, 2008
220
0
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If the coat hanger fails then there is always drain cleaners, go to your local hardware store and ask them where they have the professional drain cleaning solutions. These solutions are not much more than Draino but in my experience 10 times for effective.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
A plumber is going to cost you a lot. I'd try harder to access that drain or go for one of the liquid uncloggers before calling a plumber for something like a slow drain.

Good luck.
 

hanoverphist

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2006
9,867
23
76
Originally posted by: an51r
If the coat hanger fails then there is always drain cleaners, go to your local hardware store and ask them where they have the professional drain cleaning solutions. These solutions are not much more than Draino but in my experience 10 times for effective.

not much more than drano? last i checked, drano was about 30% acid, the professional was 94% HCL. id say thats a huge difference. and having two teen girls that share a shower, i can verify the whole "recarpeting the house" theory. those drains get clogged fast, and they have no desire to actually clean it themselves. i still make them do it on occasion.
 

Blayze

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2000
6,152
0
0
Had this happen a few months ago. Used a coat hanger to remove what I could and then poured Draino. Let it sit for a little bit, and the shower was fine.
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
Take a garden hose, hook it up to the hot supply line by your washing machine, run it to the shower and shove it in the drain (remove the cover, etc.). Fill in around the house with an old tshirt/rag and shove it in with a screwdriver. Let it run for 10 minutes and test it out and repeat until working better. Used this many times and it works great.
 

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
I go to a hardware store for professional drano. It's usually sold to plumbers and professionals and not kept on the shelves. I don't know what's in there but its extremely toxic but clears just about anything. Some things like the hose trick, I think you have to be careful with as the pressure can cause leakage problems as well with old plumbing.
 

lizardth

Golden Member
Oct 5, 2005
1,242
0
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Originally posted by: newb111
Draino?

Seriously have you tried this? If anyone has long hair or you bathe a pet in the tub they get clogged up with hair/fur really quick. I have long hair and we have to draino our shower drain about once a month.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
You can also use lye. But be very careful with the stuff. It will dissolve the hair but also your skin.
 

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
I just used Draino gel yesterday. My bathroom sink was getting clogged from my girlfriend's hair. The drano worked like a charm.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Drano/lye/etc... is a big no no for most newwer homes. Most don't have thick heavy metal pipes, but PVC. The chems in them also can wear/eat away at the pipes over time.

Take cover off first and try a hair remover, then move onto a snake.

Also fill the tube up and then open drain and plung the water down.