bathroom maintenance?

Question

What do you guys use for regulat maintance of drainage? My bathtub was blocked a couple of months back. I tried plunger and auger. Then finally I had to call the plumber. Mr Plumber spent 20 minutes in taking out all the hair in the pipes and gave me a nice bill of $300.

My other bathtub was blocked this month. I used a chemical (purchased from Home Depot) which was very strong and infact comes as a container inside a ziplock. I am not able to recal the name. But it actually did the job. My bathtub is running like anything.

Now, a question for you guys. This chemical was great in opening the chocked drainage. But since it is very strong, I am not sure if I should be using it on a regular basis for preventive care. So, what product do you use for your bathtub, sinks, kitchen etc. And how often? Do you use it every week or every month.

Thanks so much.

Answer 1

I am not sure about that stuff. But, I wanted to tell you about a home warranty program. It covers most of the stuff in your house and all they charge is $50 a visit...whether they replace it or fix it. It may be worth it for you to insure so you don't have to have another $300 bill. I think this service is about $30 a month. We have it and when or air conditioner broke they replaced it and all it cost us was $50. Check them out.

www.americanhomeshield.com

Answer 2

Only use Drano when ever the draining is slowing way down. The Plumber used a tool called a snake on your tub to remove the hair. This is very easy and you can do it. Home Depot rents them. All you do is remove the overflow cap(shiny round silver thing on the tub wall) and stick the snake down as far as it will go. Start turning the crank handle until it gets hard to turn. then reel in your catch. I have 2 girls and a wife,all with long hair, I am cleaning the tubs every 6 months. But there is no preventitive maintenance, just clean them when they get slow.

Answer 3

This is going to sound crazy to you, but I use a coat hanger to snag the hair that gets caught in the drain and pull it out enough for me to grab it and toss it in the trash. It's kind of gross, but usually successful. I do it when ever the drain begins to run slow. Same problem with sinks usually too. Although on the sinks, you can usually get at it from pulling the p-trap.

Answer 4

Draino
or Caustic Soda saches

Either are quite effective in dissolving grease and hair etc. I only have to use it about once in evry 6 months or so, or when I see the drain slowing during empty..

Answer 5

im not sure on what to use but I will tell ya that I share a bathroom with my two sisters and we shed some hair! lol so my dad used to use that type of stuff maybe once in a blue moon, anyways ends up we melted the pipes and cost us TONS of money so whatever you do be careful!!!!

Answer 6

baking soda and vinegar, followed by lemon juice after the fizzing is finished. This is good for monthly maintenance not for extreme clogs.
GOOD LUCK.
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