I want to try to do it myself before calling a plumber. The sink can drain but it does very slowly.
2007-08-01 06:28:28 · 19 answers · asked by Graciela, RIRS 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Don't put any more chemicals down your sink. Draino, liquid plumber, and the like don't mix well, especially with household chemicals and just because you don't see it doesn't mean they aren't still in the drain.
Buy a snake at the local home depot and use that to unclog the drain, if you can get it with a snake then take off the piece of pipe that shaped like the letter J under the sink, most clogs happen at that point in the sink. If you can't get see a clog there then run the snake through the pipe connecting to the wall (While the joint you just took out is still removed) and see if you can get the clog there.
If neither of these work call a plumber because the next step is to snake from the top of the roof and you probably don't want to do that yourself.
2007-08-01 06:42:24 · answer #1 · answered by Seattle_Slacker 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
They aren't bad if used in moderation. Being a homeowner, I have tried everything myself before I call a professional and I can usually fix the problem. Anyway, try the Drano or Liquid plumber first. I have also tried to blow out the drain with the reverse of the vacuum and then if that doesn't work you should have a joint somewhere in the pipe that can be unscrewed and cleaned out from there. Hardware stores also sell small "electric eels" (not really electric, but hand crank) that you can use down the drain. Watch what you put down the drain, food etc.
2016-05-20 00:24:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you checked the drain trap? Sometimes you will need to take this part of the piping apart to clear it, then put it back together and run water through it , if the water still backs up , the clog will be further int the drain system. Take the trap lose again, and use a drain-snake. If this doesn't unclog it, then you may need to call a plumber.
To help keep it clean and clear, once a month pour about a cup of baking soda into the drain and follow up with about a cup and a half of white viengar: let it "boil" for about 5 to 10 minutes, then run hot water through it for at least 2 to 3 minutes. Helps to keep it fresh, and rids the pipe of grim and grease build up.
2007-08-01 06:37:46 · answer #3 · answered by Unboundlight 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't say which sink it is. It is probably hair in the sink trap. See if you can get a slim, narrow crochet hook type of thing in there to pull up some of the hair and get it started loosening up. If you stuff baking soda (dry) down the sink as much as you can get in and then pour vinegar over that and let it sit for an hour or two and then run very hot water down the drain it might open it up also. Good luck!
2007-08-01 06:34:57 · answer #4 · answered by bevrossg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you use Drano use hot water to run in the sink ,use a good quality plunger that as good suction in case there is grease clogging the elbow, if you have a hose that you can connect to your faucet this way you will have full pressure .
The other option is to try and unscrew the cover off the elbow underneath the sink and with a coat hanger bent try to pull out the obstruction.
2007-08-01 06:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by bornfree 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am with the plunger people that would be my next move put plenty of water in the sink you dont want that stuff splashing in your face full strenght as you plunge. If that doesnt work for you try some more drain cleaner give it time the biggest trouble with stuff like that is people are inpatient. Still no improvement one more plunging,last option call the plumber.
2007-08-01 10:10:13 · answer #6 · answered by petethen2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drano Not Working
2016-11-12 04:44:57 · answer #7 · answered by cobbins 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you try taking the trap apart run at least a sink full of water through first to flush out the Drano or whatever else you may have put in there.
2007-08-01 08:07:55 · answer #8 · answered by Brian A 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get muriatic acid. It usually works. Just be careful using it. It smells awful. It might ruin the finish on the metal at the drain too. Other than that you can use a plumbing snake or a bladder. The only thing is you should take the trap apart and do it from there.
2007-08-01 06:35:00 · answer #9 · answered by angela 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be cheaper to buy a snake at a local plumbing store than to call a plumber. It's a thick, long, coiled wire that you push into the drain to loosen up any hair/soap build up that might be there. That's what they would use anyway.
Hope this helps.
2007-08-01 06:39:59 · answer #10 · answered by MichelleM 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋