Help! I'm having plumbing problems.?

Question

Before I go to my apt. Manager I'd like to see if I can take care of this myself. Does anyone have any advice on how to clear up a clogged shower drain? Or know of a liquid that really works? I've already tried a snake, but I think its as far down as it will go and I can't get anything out. Please help. Thank You!

Answer 1

Empty a half cup of baking soda down the drain, then half a cup white vinegar. Quickly cover the drain. Let the concoction brew for a few minutes. Next, carefully pour about a quart of boiling water down the drain. The baking soda and vinegar work together to break down fatty acids, allowing the gunk to wash down the drain.

If it is a huge amount of hair or something man-made, then this would be the only time it won't work.

This method is the safest, health wise as well as environmentally sound.

Answer 2

Well, a longer snake would be your best bet, although it is sometimes neccessary to do that from the roof, through the vent, with an electric cable machine. I have also found that using a small, 1/4" cable through the drain of the shower often works great. If you decide to go that route, you will need an electric or cordless drill, 1/4" cable that is usually sold in 25 foot lengths, and someone to help you. First, you must cut the cable to length. You determine the length needed by laying the cable on the floor, and cutting it 1 to 2 feet longer than the distance from your shower drain to your toilet. That will be plenty long enough to get from your shower drain line to your sewer line. You put the 1/4" cable into the drill, and while your helper holds and runs the drill, you feed the cable into the drain. Your helper must keep tension on the cable by pulling back on the drill, as you pull in the opposite direction on the cable, feeding it into the drain. The tension will keep the cable from getting all tangled up while it spins. If the cable does get tangled up, you usually have to cut the cable at the kink, wire cutters will do the trick. I do this on a daily basis sometimes at my job, and rarely does it not work. You may also find it helpfull to put a SLIGHT bend in the cable about 1 inch from the end that you will be putting down the drain. This helps the cable to make it through turns in the pipe, but try it without the bend first. If you come to a point where the cable doesn't seem to be going any further, try running the drill in the opposite direction. (forward-reverse) You should also have some standing water in the shower as you are doing this, and once it goes down turn the hot water on. This will help flush anything you break loose on down to the main sewer, and clean your cable. If you own, or can borrow, the drill and wire cutters, you might spend $10.00 on the cable. Your other option is sulphuric acid. One of the brand names it is sold under is clobber. You won't need much, maybe 2-3 cups full. (don't measure it out, it will burn you if you get it on you, just dump some from the container, and don't let it splash) I use this as a very last ditch effort, as it is very corrosive to pipes, drain covers, shower pans, and skin. DO NOT HAVE HOT WATER IN SHOWER/DRAIN WHEN USING ACID!! You will also need good ventilation when using acid, so open any windows and turn on any fans in the restroom. Make sure to flush the acid out after it opens the drain with a lot of COLD water. This will most likely open any clog you may have, and works so much better then any "draino" type liquid. I would expect to pay around $15.00 for a 1/2 gallon. This is the only liquid myself, or any other proffessional I've seen, will use. Also, when you flush your toilet, does it back up in your shower? If it does, forget all of this because your sewer is plugged. You cannot unplug the sewer with these methods. You will need an electric cable machine for that. Hopefully some of this helps you. Best wishes

Answer 3

I have been in "the business" for 47 years and in all my days have never heard of Boric acid clearing a tub or drain, I wonder if these people that suggest it have really tried it or ar just spreading "Old Wives" tales.
It may be good for gas on your belly but, really?or the smell in a fridge.

Go to Home Depot and get a gray bottle of Plumber Helper" the commercial type. Put it in according to directions and be patient, wait for it to work. While your there get a cover to keep hair out of your drain, they're about $2.00 and fit over the drain.

After you treat with this, if it doesn't work, you'll have to call in "Router-Rooter" and have them auger the drain. This is what happens to the hair that goes down the drain, it doesn't.

Answer 4

go out to your water meter, and take a black felt pen, and make a line next to the red arrow on the top of the glass covered water meter register. This is the place where you can see the numbers and the spinning arrow when you have the water in use. Mark the exact point of the arrow and use no water for 6 hours at least. Come back and look at the arrow, if it has moved at all or registered a new direction, the leak is on your side of the meter. If it doesn't move it could be on the city side of tyhe meter.

Answer 5

It's very important that you let the apartment manager know about this problem, and that you let them take care of it. If you use a snake improperly and damage a pipe it could leak into another apartment and cause quite a bit of water damage. You are pretty safe as far as using drain remedies you buy from the store. Anything stronger I wouldn't feel comfortable. If you try to fix it and something goes wrong you will have to pay to have the "UH-OH" fixed. It's easier and safer to let the maintenance personnel know so that they can have it fixed right away.

Good luck and I hope that you find your "right" answer!

Answer 6

Just 2 days ago- my twin basin basin also got pretty clogged up. Initially i used the hand pump -got worse, the clogged water and waste flow out and smell terrible. Next i used the extended pipe cleaner and try to wriggle along but no luck ,the sludge is thick .
Finally ran to the DIY shop bought a box of Drain cleaner
( Lion Pipeman ) , pour 3 packet of it into the hole ,add hot water and waited 10 minutes and flushed with water.
Till today no problem.
Ya! These drain cleaner powder do works well.Try it!
Good luck!

Answer 7

Yeah, boric acid is about as good as it gets that I've tried, but I'd let the apt. manager take care of it. That is one of the perks of living in an apartment. Someone else has to do the dirty work. Get a home and you'll be doing all that stuff yourself.

Answer 8

no liquid will work if water can't force it's way down.

rodding it is the cure. there may be a cleanout elsewhere that you can't access that will work.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

i always use boric acid,,,it's awesome but most people use draino and says it's great