Shower drain problem

[Tron_fdc]

I searched some of the other threads on plumbing problems, but mine is a little more specific so I figured I would start a new thread.

I have a drain problem in my rental house I need fixed. Both showers have a real slow drain (not completely plugged but close) and I can't seem to clear them up. I'm assuming they're probably full of hair *barf*

I've tried industrial drain-o, but because it's a slow drain it hasn't done anything. My other option is trying to unplug it by hand, but I have a seriously weak stomach when it comes to things like this. I've done it once and spent about 15 minutes over a toilet bowl as a reward. just thinking about it makes me gag.

I called roto rooter, but there's no answer. Are they still in business?

Is there any other options here? Will a random plumber fix this? Anyone have any idea what it would cost? Can I get something from Home Depot that will clear it, and will be handy enough that I don't have to touch whatever comes up from the depths of the drain?

[burn_this_city]

Get one of those plumber snakes and run it down the drain.. theres usually a hook on the end to grab whatever is clogging it.

[prarieboy]

I've had luck with liquid type drain cleaners, not the dry type which I believe Draino is. I got some from Home Hardware a few years back that was great. I just poured it in and waited for about 20 minutes and the drain was fine after that.

[Cheese]

LOL...
simple check...get an old wire coat hanger.

Open the hanger up into a long straight piece and bend the curved hanging part into a small hook thats small enough to fit down the drain.
Insert hook down drain...wiggle and jiggle....pull up. Hair balls should attach themeselves to the hook and free up the drain. Repeat and rinse.
After hair has been removed use industrial strength drano or similar.
Id get your wife to help remove the hairballs...unless you are the hirsute one clogging the drain.
I do this 3 times a year...both my wife and daughter have long hair and clog the drain.

Snakes wont work...just get in there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVz8j...lated&resnum=2
(sorta like this)
or this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiaC9...lated&resnum=6

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/kitch...throom-drains/

[burn_this_city]

The snake we have is pretty similar to a coat hangar just longer..

[Tron_fdc]

See that's the thing. It's not my hair, and I'll barf.

Ah well, maybe I'll get some rubber gloves and one of these

[BlackArcher101]

You can pick up a coiled snake at princess auto for dirt cheap. I would ditch the respirator though... it and barf are not a good combination, trust me.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

See that's the thing. It's not my hair, and I'll barf.

Ah well, maybe I'll get some rubber gloves and one of these

Make sure to put it on layaway

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Get one of those plumber snakes and run it down the drain.. theres usually a hook on the end to grab whatever is clogging it.

+1

Or a coat hanger will prolly work, since the main ball of hair wont be that far down.

[stang]

As an added bonus you can then reuse the Coat hanger to perform back alley abortions., Oh wait you get queasy easy...

You probally dont want to call a plumber and opay then 75 bucks to pull hair. Worst case you could probally get a neighbor or friend to do it for free or a case of beer.

[Barnes]

You have a weak stomach when it comes to seeing hair. Going to the barber must be a nightmare!

[stang]

Unless its just wet hair that bothers him...

Maybe he could blow dry it first?

[mikey_the_redneck]

My tub had a slow drain from my roomies shaving their man hair so I got one of those "ONE SECOND PLUMBER" canisters that fire an acidy compressed gas down the line and it worked like gang busters. Just make sure to cover the overflow(if there is one)with a rag or something.

[4X4]

Once you master the art of using the dry crystals you'll never go back. Do it once a month or twice if your g/f has thick hair and your drain will stay unclogged.
To eliminate the problem you have right now, you can probably take care of it by giving it the crystal treatment three or four times. Just make sure to follow the instructions to a T and to run water in between treatments.
The trick I figured out for using the crystals is to use a cup and a spoon. Don't just dump in some crystals and then turn on the tap. Pour the crystals into a big spoon and carefully put it in the drain. Then pour a big cup of water directly into the drain. It should start hissing and smoking. Then be sure to come back a couple minutes later and run some water. Then come back another few minutes later and run the water for a minute or so, then wait another few minutes and do the whole process again.
After sharing an old house with a crappy shower with a female and a long haired banger, I learned that the crystals work the best and is the most cost effective.

[Tron_fdc]

No, I'm not afraid of hair.

Wet hair that smells like ass flavoured condtioner, and has the texture of a muskrat makes me gag though. The last time I pulled up one of those hairballs I thought the thing was about to crawl away on me, and hide under my bed or something.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Glove and an N95 respirator mask should take care of the odors and what not so you can do the deed.

I futzed around with Drano and various other potions to no real long lasting effect on a slow draining bathroom sink. Finally I took out the center drain stopper (a really simple thing to do) and physically removed the gunk. Jeebus. H. Chrysler. I had no idea that much tar black gunk could grow in a year and a half. A solid 1" diameter 4 plug of goo.

Or call Mike Rowe.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Glove and an N95 respirator mask should take care of the odors and what not so you can do the deed.

I futzed around with Drano and various other potions to no real long lasting effect on a slow draining bathroom sink. Finally I took out the center drain stopper (a really simple thing to do) and physically removed the gunk. Jeebus. H. Chrysler. I had no idea that much tar black gunk could grow in a year and a half. A solid 1" diameter 4 plug of goo.

Or call Mike Rowe.

A rather contradictory post no?

[return to the red]

never had a problem with Drano provided you follow the instructions correctly...when it says pour hot water down the drain actually boil some water and dump it down, warm tap water just isn't sufficient.

Don't forget to tell your renters to wipe their short and curlys out of the tub instead of just washing them down

[Kybosh]

You should install a garbarator in the shower.

[FlamesKickAss]

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/s...k=P_PartNumber