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One of our kids did a NO-NO and was playing around with a candle. The "excess" wax was poured down the bathroom drain. ARGH! The house is a rental, pipes are 70's vintage PVC. What can I do to remove the wax?
I personally wouldn't pour Boiling water down the drain, try a few ice cubes and ice cold water. that will make the wax hard. chances are it is sitting in the "P" trap (bent pipe under the sink) undo the P shaped pipe and take out the cold wax. chances are there is enough soap residue around the inside of the pipe that it hasn't STUCK on it.
I believe I would try a combination of baking soda and vinegar, which sets of a chemical reaction that will heat up. Then flush with hot water. You may have to do this a few times, but, I think short of taking apart the pipes, this might be a good idea.
Good Luck
Pour down the drain:
one cup bicarbonate of soda
one cup white vinegar
one kettle boiling water, in that sequence.
Success guaranteed!
I heated vinegar and baking soda brought to a boil, poured it into the candle wax which had seeped inside the kitchen sink drain with no relief previously from ice and snake attempts. I then followed by pouring boiled water, followed by some more bolied vinegar and baking soda, again bolied water then with wire hsnger continued to move it insid the drain.
This method did work. I really only had to do it once to clear the drain, but I did it twice to be sure - it's been 12 hours since I gave this method a try and the drain is still clog free. I like that this was a simple fix and didn't cost much or anything really since I already had the ingredients in my house. Thank you for your tip!
Have you tried great quantities of boiling water ?
That might help - but it would take a lot
move....? I would call a plumber and ask what
he/she would suggest you do...its a free call...
pour lots of hot boiling hot water down the drain.
Zig
Did you find a reliable method to fix the problem, Aardvark? Funnily enough I have this exact same conundrum right now and am hoping to avoid calling a plumber, too : /
Thanks Carol the baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water worked perfectly. You saved the day, we're expecting house guests. :)
This method worked with my kitchen sink eventhough the wax was trapped further down in the pipe. It unblocked it straightaway:)
Thanks for the brill tip.
I will first like to say this can happen and there is a way to undo it. I happened to pour wax down a toilet, it was deeply a learning experience:). It was a nerve wreaking kind of thing but yes, hot water did work, a balanced amount. I would use the tub hot water to fill it a little, it helped reduce use of the toilet water which could possibly run over because of too much water.
It just happened to me!!! Melted hot wax accidentally seeped out of the box and went into the pipe on the kitchen sink. Called the maintenance guys, they tried n tried n tried, to no avail. Once they left, i heat up vinegar (i mix white and apple cider), then mix with baking powder (thats all i had!). Also boiled water. Poured the vinegar mix, then water. Then the mix, followed by water. I did this for 2 rounds, and walla! Not clogged anymore! Crossing my fingers. Even if it does, I'll do the mix again.
This worked like a charm, just don't forget to prepare with lots of towels and a bucket
Worked!! Let hot water run with vinegar and worked!!
I literally just done it now!! My daughter tipped candle wax down the upstairs sink and it was very blocked so I decided to boil the kettle and it worked sinks unblocked and it only took one kettle full! I may try again in a half hour just to top up any extra parts
Ive just done this and still no luck
The boiling water worked. Lots of boiling water. Like two hours worth.
Hair removal wax down the bathroom sink! Ugh. It is so sticky. I dumped boiling water then baking soda then vinegar. Then plunged it twice. It worked!
I used a metal kabob skewer and poked down the drain like a snake, worked for me!!
I used a metal kabob skewer and poked down the drain like a snake, worked for me!!
Thank you Carol. I didnt have enough baking soda, so I used washing soda and vinegar. Then boiling water. It worked! Result, marvellous! Wax gone!
