DrDeth
June 23, 2010, 2:14am
41
Max_Torque:
I had great success recently with an enzymatic drain cleaner that I bought at a hardware store (Lowe’s). It’s a yeasty-smelling powder. You start by running warm water down the drain to warm things up a bit; the enzymes are more active in warmth. Mix a couple of scoops in a pint of warm (not hot, the heat will kill 'em) water, and pour it down the drain. Then, let it sit for at least 8 hours, while you go to work or to bed… But they don’t react with anything inorganic, so they won’t hurt pipes or burn you. …
Yes, these work very well on slow drains. On a really plugged drain- not so much.
And as you noted, comparatively safe. Not that I’d encourage a toddler to eat a spoonful, mind you.
salinqmind:
It’s a scam, whether it’s tested or not, sold to the lazy and/or hopeful. It might dissolve something minor that’s making the drain a little slow. A rock hard hunk of compacted hair, coffee grounds, grease, toothpaste - what do you think a bottle of lye is going to do with THAT?
So, off-the-shelf products specifically designed to remove drain clogs are a scam?
Like fuck: I’ve used them for years and they work EXACTLY as advertised.
DrDeth
June 23, 2010, 5:16am
43
Leaffan:
So, off-the-shelf products specifically designed to remove drain clogs are a scam?
Like fuck: I’ve used them for years and they work EXACTLY as advertised.
Not a scam, per se. But they *are *very dangerous, and if used improperly (and most dudes won’t use them properly) they can actually damage the plumbing. And, if they don’t work, then you’re extra fucked. The “scam” here is in selling these as cure-alls, when in fact they are only good for certain problems, only when used as directed, and only when you take proper precautions.