Can anyone recommend a good product for clogged drains?

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   CollBposted 14 years ago

   I've had this drainage problem for a while now and calling out a plumber is really expensive.

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   WryLiltposted 14 years ago

   Go to your local hardware store and ask for a product like Draino.

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks heaps for this suggestion - I've asked and got caustic soda which is really bad for the environment when used down drains, hence why I wanted alternative solutions.

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   outlawsphinxposted 14 years ago

   Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with one cup vinegar. (remember the volcano experiments we used to do at school??..same idea) It should unclog your drain.
   To keep them from clogging, pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain weekly and follow with hot water.

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      theherbivorehippiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Oh my gosh you beat me to this reply...exactly what I was going to say.  Works every time! 
      
      Make sure that you pour the baking soda down and then the vinegar and then QUICKLY (sorry..not yelling but important) plug the drain with something so the volcanic explosion takes place inside.  I usually leave it for a bit and then dump super hot water down there after.  Such a great home remedy!

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         outlawsphinxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Omg..I forgot to write about covering the drain. Lol, I learned that the hard way my first time so you'd think I'd remember. Doh.

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         CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You're a star, thanks so very much for this additional tip - really appreciated and am grateful for Hubpages - truly am as I've spend a fortune on bleach, disinfectants, caustic soda which I'm told isn't good for the environment when put down drains...hence truly grateful for your and the others' suggestions.  Thanks a million to you all, cheers!

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks so very very much for this solution and I'll try it and let you know the outcome as I've been using caustic soda but was told it's not good for the environment.  Really appreciate this suggestion as it's costly getting the plumber to fix it...really appreciate Hubpages, cheers!

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yeh, I remember the volcanic 'eruptions' I did in my Chemistry class but I don't remember exactly what solutions we used...I think it was sodium hydroxide NaOH, plus H2O, but just vaguely  remember it.

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   knolyourselfposted 14 years ago

   "baking soda down and then the vinegar". That may work. I have had success with bleach.

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I've tried bleach and it works to keep the water still in the pipes 'clean' but I'll have to try the baking soda and vinegar solution, thanks for this tip and credit also to outlawsphinx.  Thanks both of you!

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   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Caustic Soda should not be taken Internally!
   
   I would have thought that a large dose of Prunes or Prue Juice would Blow your Pipes out a lot better than some of the suggestions that you've had so far.

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, caustic soda is definitely not for drinking at all.
      
      It's normally used for unblocking drains but not recommended as it is not environmentally friendly.
      
      My internal pipes are fine but thanks for the suggestion - I'll bare in mind prune juice for unblocking internal pipes...

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   Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

   I am replying to this subject not because I have found the answer but because I too have the same problem and have tried plunger, bicarb of soda plus vinegar, metal coat hanger, boiling water, salt, Mr Muscle and finally caustic soda and now have a bathroom sink drainpipe full of a mixture of all those chemicals and liquids. There is no trap or u-bend so that cannot be looked into. It is a pedestal sink with a straight pipe going down inside the pedestal and into the floor.

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   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   Step 1 Get a wife
   Step 2 Get a plunger
   Step 3 Mix

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Bard of Ely, I've virtually used all the products you've mentioned and now just managed to try the baking soda and vinegar solution which looks more promising than the products I've used.  I'll know in a week or two's time.  Yes I know the feeling.  I don't know the ins and outs of the plumbing system in the bathroom but whatever the system is, it's really not functioning properly.
      
      Hi Greek One, that was such a funny reply I'm still laughing - Perhaps Bard of Ely already has all that you've mentioned - maybe it's the plumbing that isn't right haha.

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   TamCorposted 14 years ago

   I'll recommend what my husband has used for years to unclog our drains.  It's called a drain snake--you can find hubs about them or check your local hardware or department stores. There are different kinds, but he uses the type that you turn the crank to ease it down the pipe, then it catches on the blockage.  Then you crank it the other way, and out comes the problem!
   
   It's all he's ever used, and it works every time!
   
   Edit:  Sufidreamer has a hub that includes this product, also called an auger... http://hubpages.com/hub/Home-Improvemen … ked-Drains

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much for this suggestion TamCor, I'm still going to use the baking soda and vinegar solution though but I'll look into the drain snake - sounds excellent.  Never heard of that before!
      
      Hubpages is so brilliant in bringing together experts in all fields!

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Additional thanks to TamCor for recommending Sufidreamer's hub on blocked drains - really useful information provided.  I didn't recall seeing that hub (he's one of the hubbers I follow!) as I try to read as many of the hubs as possible as really useful info given by hubbers on Hubpages!
      
      Thanks again TamCor!  Your info and link much appreciated.

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   Hugh Williamsonposted 14 years ago

   I cured a stubborn clog with a product called "One-Second Drain Opener." It's compressed air (or gas?) and blasts a sudden pressure into the drain. Be sure to plug the overflow or it'll just vent there instead of blasting the pressure down the drain.
   
   Good luck.

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      CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much for this suggestion.  I'll try any suggestions as I've had this drainage problem for a while and I keep having to use the plunger plus disinfectant and bleach.  The other suggestions are definitely worth a try too as the baking soda and vinegar looks like it's working a treat!

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    Peter Owenposted 14 years ago

    I use a good old fashioned drain snake, which is just a long metal hose with a hook on the end. This is what a plumber will use. some clogs are so bad that no product will break it and you need  a snake to push/pull it loose.

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       CollBposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Peter!  Thanks for this suggestion, yes a drain snake was previously mentioned and now that I have some further details I'll give that a try - I also like the idea about the one second drain opener - that seems practical too!  Cheers!

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