Does anyone know of an alternative to Drano? My bathroom sink is draining slowly.?

Question

I have a feeling that the workers got drywall down the sink and that is the root cause but I don't know for sure....any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

under the sink is a p-trap take it apart put a bowl under it the problem might be that your trap is plug dont use drano it messes up your plumbing put the trap back together and see if that did it if not take it apart and snake your drain LVTHEPLUMBER GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

Aside from foreign objects stopping up pipes, the two main culprits are soap build up and hair.

Being really careful not to spill any of the suggested items on anything or getting it on you, I would try Sodium Hydroxide or Lye (potassium hydroxide). Those two work the same way, but they will burn your skin off if they get on you.

The second thing would be to try Sulphuric Acid, which will also burn you if it gets on you. But there is a big HOWEVER.

However, do not use them at the same time as the reaction might cause some gasses to come up. If you use one, make sure that the sink and pipes have had a lot of water go down them before you try the other.

I am assuming that you know what hair is, but many do not know how most bathroom bars of soap are made. Almost all soaps are made of lye and lard. If you do not run enough water down the drain when using the sink, there will be a soap build up, a waxey goop that can close the pipe almost totally. Therefore,

Therefore, it might be a good idea to get under the sink and open the P trap to see if it is packed with soap and hair. If that is there, remove it with a paint stirring stick or even a knife. If you see soap build up on the part of the pipe going into the wall, remove that also. This is not difficult work. Then put it all back together and put either Draino into the pipe to dissolve the remaining material, or use one of the things mentioned above.

Follow instructions carefully!

Then if there is some stoppage, you can connect a bladder that you can get at a hardware store and connect it to the end of a hose. The bladder will open once it has some water pressure on it, and it shoots a strong water pressure down the drains and into the pipes. Do not use that if you have tried the Sodium Hydroxide or the sulphuric acid and you are not sure that it is all out of the way.

When you have used some of the two basic chemicals (lye and sodium hydroxide are very similar - you will probably buy the NaOH) continue to run water through the pipes until you are assured that it has to all be down the drain.

The dry Draino is made up of several chemicals, one of which is metallic sodium. When metallic sodium combines with water, it forms sodium hydroxide.

The main thing I want to emphasize is safety. It would probably be wise to wear protective glasses when doing any of this. OR

You will have to remove the part of the sink drain that has the attachment for the stopper, and you can, instead of the above, run a small "snake" down the pipe. It will round the P trap and actually enter into the pipe that goes into the wall.

Better yet, get your husband or your boyfriend to do it.

Answer 3

all the above answers are good ones. if none work try this one.
go to your local hardware store and buy a rubber type tool that you can use with a garden hose. this tool cost under $ 20 and you can use it for future drain problems. This tool is round and black about 6" to 8" long, it come in difference sizes but the one you would need for the kitchen sink is 1 1/2 " in size. Attach to the end of hose and insert the tool inside the drain and hold it in place have one else turn on the water to hose. and the tool will expand inside the drain and build up the pressure inside the drain and force out the pug. If you can't insert tool from top, you may need to remove elbow under-sink to gain access to open pipes.
You want to remove elbow first before purchasing this tool, to see if the dry wall material is the problem. The drainage problem may have pug material deeper-- pass the elbow. Using the this tool will fix the problem 90% of the time. good luck.

Answer 4

I don't have a brand name for it but go to a home depot type place, go to the plumbing section and ask for some heavy duty drain cleaner. It will have to sit for a day or so and you will need keep a window open (it's a strong chemical) but it will work well and it's worth the $10-$15. Sure beats paying for someone to come out.

Answer 5

Here are some of the things I have tried though the years.

1 Brake up five or six packs of Alka Selters, drop them in the drain than drop a large glass of vinegar in. Wait a few minuets than put boiling water in.

2 take a metal cloths hanger, straighten out and use to poke in the drain. This may put holes in the board. If it is the wall board you may have to do the second one a few times.

Answer 6

I generally will add about 3 oz of liquid detergert to all my drains about every 2 week or so. This helps to degrease all the pipes on a routine basis. But you probably need the drano first it it is really plugged up.. The liquid detergent can be a cheap brand. or use dawn or other brand.

Answer 7

Pour some baking soda down the drain and then add white vinegar. You will see that it bubbles. Let it sit 20 minutes and then run the hot water. If it doesn't clear, repeat.


If there is drywall in the pipe, you will need to remove the elbow and flush it.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Take the drain apart and use a drain cleaing cable to rod out the debris. Try not using those "drain cleaners".

Answer 9

Use Draino Foaming Drain Cleaner. It's great.

Answer 10

Clorox bleach