Clogged Drains? (O/T, Sorry!)

[Judy]

The longer my hair gets, the more my shower drain becomes clogged.  The only thing that has really worked in the past is calling the drain guy, which means making sure I'm home during a four-hour time period so he can get my shower to drain again, and then I get to pay him $50.

I just bought this handy dandy tool at Home Depot called Zip-It for less than 3 bucks!  And it works!!!  I stuck this long, thin, spikey thing down my drain and pulled up... well, it was disgusting.  But my drain is draining perfectly again and I didn't have to take time off, didn't have to lock the dogs away in the back, blah, blah, blah, and am done paying $50 a pop to clean hair out of a drain.

I know this is so not on the topic of court reporting, but nonetheless I am sharing my happiness with this Zip-it product.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Judy, great tip!  My daughter's drain gets clogged at home, and I'm not sure what's down there, but it is just as disgusting.  I've used Drain-O and things, but be SURE to rinse for a long time with the hottest water.  That helps.

M.A.

[Quyen]

I have hair a mile long sometimes because I never seem to have time to get a haircut, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I just recently (several months ago) cleared my own tub, lol.  Used a whole extra-strength, extra large bottle of Drano -- nothing!  Seemed to make the clog even worse, believe it or not.  Refused to pay a plumber for that, so I went online to see what other people's solutions might be.

What I learned:  Sooooooo, when the tub is slow to drain and there is still water in it, take a plunger -- yes, plunger -- and put it over the drain to completely cover.  Give it a good few pumps until you hear that glug and the water goes down.  I even saw the little whirlpool the water made as it drained!  Winning!!!

To maintain clean drains:  Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar down the drain, let it fizz and sit for several minutes, rinse with hot water.

[Judy]

Drain-O never worked for me.  Plus, you just don't know what that stuff is doing to your pipes.  This is easy peasy, cheap, and cannot harm your plumbing.

I love the plunger idea.  Never even thought to use it anywhere other than a toilet.

[Janiece Young]

Judy,

Thank you for posting this.  I have the same problem.  I am going to get this tool ASAP.

Judy, I just checked YouTube.  There is a video of someone using it.  It is so GROSS.  But anything to keep the drain flowing and not have to pay the plumber.  :-)

Janiece

[Debbie Taggart]

Judy -- I bought one of those things too a couple of months ago.  My husband laughed at me and made the usual "Swak!" comment on how I fall for just about any advertisement.  But it worked like a charm!  It cleared my bathroom sink, and I haven't had a problem since.  It IS a pretty gross process, but most plumbing is. 

[Judy]

I know, GROSS, but 3 bucks, no more drain man (we actually have/had a guy who did JUST clogged drains); no more pouring caustic substances down my drains, closing the bathroom/bedroom doors so the dogs can't get into the shower and possibly be harmed (our shower is so big it doesn't have an actual shower door).  This is the best thing ever.  I'd suggest having a piece of foil or some other non-porous thing to wrap your hair glob in so you don't have to touch the slimy mess.

[Quyen]

With the plunger, I didn't have to see or touch any of the grossness.  Just all went down. :)

[Ann Medis]

Six years ago I bought a Cobra Drain Blaster from HSN really as a lark.  It seemed like it would work.  It is the best 30 bucks I've spent in a decade.  When the drain is slow in the upstairs shower, or anywhere for that matter, a few blasts of air, and problem solved.  No chemicals and no plumbers.  It's awesome. 

[Mary Jo Cochran]

I have always cleaned out my own drains.  I used a paperclip for the tub (tht Zip-it product is better).  If its a regular drain (kitchen, sink), then undo the U pipe. Get a bucket or big bowl under there and use your physical strength to unscrew it on both sides.  Take it outside and clean it out with the hose.  Then rescrew it in.  That's why there is the U pipe connection.  A little gross and messy, but done in five minutes.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Tweezers will also work in getting out tub hair.  That hair is all intertwined.  Get a hold of some and it will all  grab on together.  Put it in a sandwich baggy or paper towel to toss.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I love it when people post about handy gadgets that can save time and $$ like this.   Great idea. 

As I get older, my hair seems to be falling out and so I have this issue too. 

Thanks for the tip, Judy.

[Judy]

Well then, since it's your b-day and we all are getting older (my b-day was last month... 53!), have you learned about how to keep lipstick from bleeding into areas it's not supposed to go?  Use lip stain with a gloss on top.  I personally use a plumping gloss on top.