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- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 34,647
I found a great way to clear a clogged kitchen sink drain which usually clog from grease build up.
First remove as much water as possble from the sink, AND as far down the drain as possible.
From a pet shop get 10 feet or more of this thin clear plastic aquarium airline tubing and feed it down the drain as far as it will go.
Hang the other end outside or into a bucket that is large-enough to hold the water.
Suck on the exposed end of the tubing to get the water to start flowing.
Watch the water so you don't get any in your mouth.
Drain as much water as you can.
Ideally you'd get to tubing to go all the way to the clog so the bleach in the next step reaches the clog.
This is why getting the tubing farther down the drain is better.
Pour a quart or more bleach down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
(I wouldn't leave it overnight as bleach is corrosive.)
Meanwhile boil two huge pots of water so they are ready at the end of the 30 minutes.
Carefully pour all of the boiling water down the drain; turn your face away to avoid the steam.
If this doesn’t clear the clog run hot water to fill up the sink and the pressure and weight of all that hot water pushing on the clog may clear drain especially if it is a large double-basin kitchen sink.
This works for me 90% of the time.
If it doesn’t move on to stronger products or call your plumber.
At least the bleach/hot water thing didn’t cost much and is putting less-harmful crap down the sink than those harsh lye-based products.
Another good practice to prevent clogs is to pour a quart of bleach down each drain and let it sit for 30 minutes then flush with plenty of water.
Do this once a month.
What tips do you guys have for drains?
First remove as much water as possble from the sink, AND as far down the drain as possible.
From a pet shop get 10 feet or more of this thin clear plastic aquarium airline tubing and feed it down the drain as far as it will go.
Hang the other end outside or into a bucket that is large-enough to hold the water.
Suck on the exposed end of the tubing to get the water to start flowing.
Watch the water so you don't get any in your mouth.
Drain as much water as you can.
Ideally you'd get to tubing to go all the way to the clog so the bleach in the next step reaches the clog.
This is why getting the tubing farther down the drain is better.
Pour a quart or more bleach down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
(I wouldn't leave it overnight as bleach is corrosive.)
Meanwhile boil two huge pots of water so they are ready at the end of the 30 minutes.
Carefully pour all of the boiling water down the drain; turn your face away to avoid the steam.
If this doesn’t clear the clog run hot water to fill up the sink and the pressure and weight of all that hot water pushing on the clog may clear drain especially if it is a large double-basin kitchen sink.
This works for me 90% of the time.
If it doesn’t move on to stronger products or call your plumber.
At least the bleach/hot water thing didn’t cost much and is putting less-harmful crap down the sink than those harsh lye-based products.
Another good practice to prevent clogs is to pour a quart of bleach down each drain and let it sit for 30 minutes then flush with plenty of water.
Do this once a month.
What tips do you guys have for drains?
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