04-16-2021, 11:25 AM
|
#1
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
|
CP CHEMISTS, HELP! - Dissolving a Clog
Any chemists here? HELP! 
My wife is obsessed with bird feeders and has them all over the yard. Due to recent strong windstorms, there was a lot of seeds on the patio and after washing the patio, they have clogged the underground drain pipe. The pipe is 4-inch white PVC (it goes under the patio and out of the retaining wall). The obstruction is sitting past a 90-degree elbow, which makes it impossible for me to get it with the power washer wand (I've tried already). I also tried a plumbing snake without any success - the snake hits the clog about 6 feet in and then starts buckling, because the pipe is big enough to allow for it.
What can dissolve a clump of bird seed without damaging PVC?
__________________
"An idea is always a generalization, and generalization is a property of thinking. To generalize means to think." Georg Hegel
“To generalize is to be an idiot.” William Blake
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:28 AM
|
#2
|
|
Franchise Player
|
Send some squirrels in there...
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:29 AM
|
#3
|
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Put mice in hole.
__________________
No, no…I’m not sloppy, or lazy. This is a sign of the boredom.
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:29 AM
|
#4
|
|
Franchise Player
|
But seriously, can you get a water hose down there, maybe with a small jet attachment?
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:30 AM
|
#5
|
|
Craig McTavish' Merkin
|
Muriatic acid will work. Just take reasonable precautions.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to DownInFlames For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:31 AM
|
#6
|
|
First Line Centre
|
where does the drain... drain to? What I'm getting at is whether it's possible for you to get access to the downstream side at all and also work backwards? BTW PVC is easy to cut but also to repair sections and even install a threaded break-joint.
I'd also suggest that it's probably not just seeds down there but an accumulation of other debris that has caused things to stick/become stuck.
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:35 AM
|
#7
|
|
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Winebar Kensington
|
Some people say to pour Coke down the drain to clear clogs. Does that work?
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:42 AM
|
#8
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichieRich
where does the drain... drain to? What I'm getting at is whether it's possible for you to get access to the downstream side at all and also work backwards? BTW PVC is easy to cut but also to repair sections and even install a threaded break-joint...
|
Drains out of the retaining wall onto the soil at the bottom of the yard. There is a long straight section of it, over 20-ft long. The clog is up top though. I know, because the snake doesn't extend past 6-7 feet from the top.
__________________
"An idea is always a generalization, and generalization is a property of thinking. To generalize means to think." Georg Hegel
“To generalize is to be an idiot.” William Blake
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:50 AM
|
#9
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Income Tax Central
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
Some people say to pour Coke down the drain to clear clogs. Does that work?
|
I dont see how a powder is going to be helpful in dissolving a clog like this...
__________________
The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a Fire Exit. - Mitch Hedberg
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Locke For This Useful Post:
|
activeStick,
bc-chris,
Boblobla,
cam_wmh,
DoubleK,
EldrickOnIce,
Ironhorse,
Mazrim,
Nandric,
Since1984,
verda13,
Wormius
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:55 AM
|
#10
|
|
First Line Centre
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
I dont see how a powder is going to be helpful in dissolving a clog like this...
|
Clearly it is to supercharge the squirrels.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to puckedoff For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:55 AM
|
#11
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Cowtown
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
I dont see how a powder is going to be helpful in dissolving a clog like this...
|
It can dissolve nostrils so maybe?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by oilboimcdavid
Eakins wasn't a bad coach, the team just had 2 bad years, they should've been more patient.
|
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 11:58 AM
|
#12
|
|
Ben
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: God's Country (aka Cape Breton Island)
|
You could try baking soda and vinegar
Maybe something like this? https://www.homehardware.ca/en/1l-fa...aner/p/4520052
__________________
"Calgary Flames is the best team in all the land" - My Brainwashed Son
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Maritime Q-Scout For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:03 PM
|
#13
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout
|
Yep, thanks. Already was thinking in this direction, actually. These drain cleaning solutions are based on different acids though. Those that dissolve sh..t and hair balls may not necessarily be useful in dissolving sunflower seeds.
__________________
"An idea is always a generalization, and generalization is a property of thinking. To generalize means to think." Georg Hegel
“To generalize is to be an idiot.” William Blake
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:04 PM
|
#14
|
|
Franchise Player
|
Does the snake have an auger function where you can rotate the tip to dig into the blockage ?
Or attack it from the retaining wall side...
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:09 PM
|
#15
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nufy
Does the snake have an auger function where you can rotate the tip to dig into the blockage ?..
|
Yes. I have a Ryobi power 1/2" auger. It's not industrial strength, of course, but still a powerful auger. The problem is that the pipe is 4-inch diameter. Once the auger tip hits the blockage it's easier for the snake to buckle back than to drill into the obstruction, which has hardened into a clump.
__________________
"An idea is always a generalization, and generalization is a property of thinking. To generalize means to think." Georg Hegel
“To generalize is to be an idiot.” William Blake
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:10 PM
|
#16
|
|
Powerplay Quarterback
|
If it is a straight shot from below, do you have some smaller PVC lying around? Glue sections to make long enough to try pushing the clog with water running from above. Worth a shot before breaking out the chemical warfare.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Flacker For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:10 PM
|
#17
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Hyperbole Chamber
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
Some people say to pour Coke down the drain to clear clogs. Does that work?
|
Diet coke and mentos.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to topfiverecords For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:14 PM
|
#18
|
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
|
F...ck... I finished work around 5pm yesterday, worked out in the gym for an hour, took a shower, was all relaxed and ready for a beer, dinner and a movie... But no, "let's wash the patio tonight and have the weekend free"...
__________________
"An idea is always a generalization, and generalization is a property of thinking. To generalize means to think." Georg Hegel
“To generalize is to be an idiot.” William Blake
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:16 PM
|
#19
|
|
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Winebar Kensington
|
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2021, 12:18 PM
|
#20
|
|
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Winebar Kensington
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainYooh
F...ck... I finished work around 5pm yesterday, worked out in the gym for an hour, took a shower, was all relaxed and ready for a beer, dinner and a movie... But no, "let's wash the patio tonight and have the weekend free"...
|
What is it like going to a gym right now? What are the rules?
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:59 AM.
|
|
