Need plumbing advice

Bathtub drain is mostly blocked, takes an hour to drain out. Really don't want to call in a plumber ($$$) so am asking the hive for advice. Probably hair down there. What magic nasty chemicals might help us out? Thanks, Chuck

Fondue fork. Used one to clear out the tub in my kids bathroom last week. Stick the pointy end of the fork down the drain, twirl it around a couple times like your eating a plate of spaghetti, then pull out the clump of hair. Works in sinks, too.

Sorry, but the clog is farther down, can't reach it. Clothes hanger did not work either.

Drano Max. Might take multiple applications, but it always does the trick for us. And put a screen over the drain to prevent recurrence.

If all else fails, see if somewhere will sell you Klobber. You might have to go to a plumbing supply place because I dont think that Lowes/Home Depot has stuff that strong. It works like magic tho!

Draino or Red Devil Lye. BE VERY CAREFUL. Put a tablespoon down the drain, add a cup or so water, let sit, flush with lots of water. Then fill up the tub with water and get a plunger ("plumber's helper") and pump the drain up and down. Let drain. Repeat until it runs clear.

When you use the plunger, cover up the overflow vent with a rag, otherwise you're just pumping the vent, not the clog.

Or a mechanical snake. 11 bucks and works on sink clone too.

You can buy this hand operated sink snake at Lowes for $8.

I have a sink upstairs that is slow and a wife with long curly hair but she insists the two issues are not related.

The sink clogs under the floor about 10 feet away. I filled the sink and waited for it to not drain, now I know the system was full.

I removed the screen thing on the faucet and placed a length of old garden hose up to the faucet. I wrapped one sock around the faucet and one where the hose disappeared down the sink.

Turn on both faucets full blast and put one hand on each sock to make a good seal.

The water pressure blows the hair ball out through the system.

Ta - Daaaahhhhhh !!

Once it's all tuned up, put a cup of bleach down the sink at least once a month. Don't tell my wife 'cause it's not her problem.

I have always had good luck using a drain bladder. You need to hook it up to a hose. It seals itself in the pipe and builds pressure to open the clog. When you turn off the water, the pressure will reduce so you can remove the bladder. Never had any luck with any kind of drain opening chemicals.

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4794709143652442&pid=15.1

http://www.lowes.com/pd_24344-319-LX-00331_0__?productId=1069045&Ntt=drain+cleaning+tools&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Ddrain%2Bcleaning%2Btools&facetInfo=&state=R#reviews_tab

trucke wrote: I have always had good luck using a drain bladder. You need to hook it up to a hose. It seals itself in the pipe and builds pressure to open the clog. When you turn off the water, the pressure will reduce so you can remove the bladder. Never had any luck with any kind of drain opening chemicals. http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4794709143652442&pid=15.1 http://www.lowes.com/pd_24344-319-LX-00331_0__?productId=1069045&Ntt=drain+cleaning+tools&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Ddrain%2Bcleaning%2Btools&facetInfo=&state=R#reviews_tab

I was about to suggest the same thing. All hail the Drain King!

drain snake. Get it at harbor freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-drain-cleaner-with-drill-attachment-66262.html

Take this for what you will but I've been managing rental property since 1994 and always have at least a dozen bathtub drains (and as many as 44) under my dominion at any one time. I also do 90 percent of the work so I've done this maybe 200 times.

While I don my flameproof undies, avoid using any chemicals down the drain unless it's a purely biological agent used to maintain good drain flow. The chemicals will calcify the clog and neck down the drain, making it smaller in diameter over time.

The best way to clear a tub drain: Procure a power snake or a hand crank one. Remove the waste & overflow valve (the big toggle thingy with the plunger plug attached to it). Run your snake through the valve opening, giving you a straighter shot at the drain trap (is it getting warm in here or is it me?). The clog is probably there but you might have to manipulate the snake by pulling it back a bit , then pushing it forward (it IS getting warmer in here). Once past the trap, continue thrusting forward (pant) for at least ten to 15 feet of snake. Or as much snake as you have if it's less. That should be enough to push everything into the main drain in most plumbing systems.

Hope this helps. Gotta call my wife and see if she's busy. Good luck.

Jerry From LA wrote: Hope this helps. Gotta call my wife and see if she's busy. Good luck.

save your minutes, she's busy.

Dr. Hess wrote: Draino or Red Devil Lye. BE VERY CAREFUL. Put a tablespoon down the drain, add a cup or so water, let sit, flush with lots of water. Then fill up the tub with water and get a plunger ("plumber's helper") and pump the drain up and down. Let drain. Repeat until it runs clear.

whoa whoa whoa, hess, when did you graduate? never add water to lye! first, you fill the drain with cold water, then you add the lye to the water.

adding lye to water means the concentration starts at zero and goes up, whereas adding water to lye means the concentration starts at maximum value, which can cause a violent enough reaction to splash lye-water all over the place -- including the flesh of the person doing it.