If you pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain and let it sit for about an hour it works wonders and doesn't have any harsh chemicals to hurt pipes, family, or pets.
Pour baking soda into the drain until it's coating the upper drain. Pour vinegar over the drain and allow the bubble action and then chase it down with hot water. The drain will open up and you water will flow freely again in the drain.
If this doesn't help unclog the drain, then you may have a more serious problem, but try it a couple of times and see if that helps. I use this method each month to keep drains clean and the water running freely.
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Request: Fixing a Slow Drain
Archived on 10/03/2009
What can I do to open a slow moving drain? It is in the bathtub, so probably mostly hair.
Lynn
Feedback:
RE: Fixing a Slow Drain
When our bathtub drain slowed up, my husband used the toilet plunger on it. Gross, but worked. This was after using Drano and boiling water a bunch of times. (10/01/2008)
What I do is to take the out the drain stopper, an easy process, pull out the gunk with needle nose pliers and replace the drain stopper. Much easier than taking the time to pouring stuff down the drain and not have it work. (10/01/2008)
By Harry
RE: Fixing a Slow Drain
Get a bent piece of wire and fish the hair out of the drain, it is usually near the top of the drain. You'd be surprised how much hair can accumulate there. (10/01/2008)
I recently read here on ThriftyFun that a plumber recommended pouring a bottle of "Nair" or another depilatory type hair remover (for women's legs) down the drain and leaving it sit for several hours because hair is usually the main culprit. You may have to do it twice. (10/04/2008)
Hi Beth! None of the tips posted on the link above worked for me last time I had this problem, so I bought a product at Menard's called Instant Power Hair and Grease Dissolver. It comes in a tall black plastic bottle, inside of a clear plastic bag, like a baggie. I poured about 2 cups of it into my (bath) drain, and by the next morning the drain was completely clear!
I also realized what was causing my problem, it was the body wash I had been using, one of the "cream" types. It was good for my skin, but awful for my drain! Made it greasy and a trap for hair and dirt.
You might want to give it a try. :) (05/02/2008)
By Kayray
RE: Fixing a Slow Drain
The Menard's fix sounds interesting. I never use chemical products that might harm the drain. I use my garden hose to clear all drains. It even works on the toilet unless there is an unusually tight clog.
Simply hook the hose to a faucet (I try to hook it to my basement stationary tub faucet so I get hot water which is more effective). Use one of nozzles on the hose that is the skinny type if you have one, and push it down the drain as far as possible, then pack wash cloths or rags all around to keep the water from coming back into the basin or tub that is slow. Have a friend turn the water on full force while you hold the nozzle into the drain.
Let the water run for several minutes...at least 5. The drain should clear, but if not, I'd try it again only longer. It helps to do this process at the wall of a sink and sometimes you will discover the clog is in the trap (curved pipe) under the sink and can easily be cleaned out by hand, eliminating the need to use the hose. (05/02/2008)
By Cass
RE: Fixing a Slow Drain
Put some baking soda followed by vinegar in the drain on a regular schedule. Maybe once a month helps keep it running smooth. (05/03/2008)
Hi. I frequently use the method of pouring baking soda in the drain and then vinegar. However, I do heat my vinegar in the microwave before pouring it in on top of the baking soda. But stand back, because it really steams up. You can hear the gurgling, then I run hot water afterwords and watch the little whirlpool because the water runs so much faster.
(05/05/2008)
