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August 31, 2009
Clogged Tub Drains
My bathtub drain is severely clogged...again. I don't want to waste the landlord's money by asking him to have a plumber come out and snake it. In the past, I had noticed that by dumping several pots of boiling hot water down the bathroom sink drain, the tub drain was flushed clear and the problem was solved. This time it's not working. Liquid Plummr and it's other counterparts have failed to do the job. I suspect that the pipes in my apartment are quite old (I already replaced a portion of pipe under my kitchen sink that had basically rotted and burst) so I'm wary of using extra strong chemicals. Any suggestions (cheap ones!) that I could try and do on my own without asking my landlord to spend $$$ on a plumber?
Comments
Try a plunger.
While the sink is clogged, put a few inches of water in it, enough to cover the plunger, and plunge away.
Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. Definitely worth a shot.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at August 31, 2009 12:54 PM
bleach? i've had some luck with bleach on slow draings in the past, though i'm sure it does a job on the pipes. regular old clorox. like a lot of it. a half jug or so.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 31, 2009 12:55 PM
Plunger should work. Be sure any Drano-type liquid isn't still in the pipe before you plunge.
Posted by: Arkady at August 31, 2009 12:57 PM
MP, do you mean to use the plunger in the sink or in the tub? If I'm reading you right, plug up the sink and then put water in the tub and plunge the tub? I'll try that.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 31, 2009 12:58 PM
Ahh, sorry. Misread the original post.
You can use a plunger on a tub if you block the overflow opening that usually holds the tub drain trip lever (that little bath-or-shower switch).
What I've done is hold a wet washcloth over the air-hole opening and plunge the drain simultaneously.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at August 31, 2009 1:18 PM
You could also purchase a cheap hand-snake at a hardware store. It's actually fun and easy snaking a drain by hand. Just make sure to always wind the snake, both out and in. Never yank the snake, if you know what I mean.
Posted by: IronBalls at August 31, 2009 2:44 PM
Is the hand snake as effective as a snake that a plumber would use? Or does that depend on the strength of my arms?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 31, 2009 3:18 PM
Go to Park Slope Plumbing & they'll give you one you can handle.
Posted by: Arkady at August 31, 2009 3:54 PM
Any ballpark on Park Slope Plumbing's prices for hand snakes?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 31, 2009 4:00 PM
Any thoughts on this product?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 31, 2009 4:06 PM
Snap - That looks fine but site says it's not available at Hamilton Av.
Posted by: Arkady at August 31, 2009 4:46 PM
Drat! Didn't notice that.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 31, 2009 5:02 PM
you need a 25 foot long hand sake and a lot of patience... when you run up against the blockage you may have to move back and forth,,, this is why plumbers are paid professionals.. they know this stuff
Posted by: eman1234 at August 31, 2009 9:42 PM
All you plumbers...any experience with this doohickey?
or this puppy?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 1, 2009 11:23 AM
If no amount of snaking clears your drain, your problem might be a broken trip lever. If that's the case, you'll eventually need to involve both your landlord and a plumber.
Posted by: vinca at September 1, 2009 12:30 PM
I have not tried the snaking yet, Vinca. Do you think either of those two air products I posted will work? I just don't know that I have the arm strength for a an auger. I considered getting one that attaches to power drills, but I loaned out my drill and haven't gotten it back yet :-(
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 1, 2009 12:36 PM
btw the best bet for unclogging the tub drain is to unscrew the overflow and snake through the overflow rather than the drain...way easier
Posted by: eman1234 at September 1, 2009 8:59 PM
I would first try the advice you've gotten from the pros: MP's advice for using a plunger, and if no luck, follow with Eman's suggestion using the HD snake you posted. I would stay far away from using an air compressor on pipes in an old building (especially as a tenant). I once had a recurring problem like the one you're describing which turned out to be a broken trip lever. That's what I'm thinking you'll eventually find yourself, and probably need a pro to fix/retrieve the pieces if they've separated. Here are some links that might be useful: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20186457,00.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/question/0,,20205070,00.html
http://search.thisoldhouse.com/search.html?Ntt=clogged+tub+drain&bu=&x=0&y=0
Posted by: vinca at September 2, 2009 1:56 AM
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