Bathtub question

Posted by BobK207 on February 7, 2009, 12:25 am

> Hello Bob:
> I am trying to clean a clogged drain. I am being told that I am
> supposed to stick a snake through the hole that the knob covers.
> Since I could not get that knob off, I thought maybe this enzyme stuff
> may help loosen the clogged material.
> So far no luck, though.
> Deguza

Ok....... are you getting any flow ...that is, does the tub empty
after many minutes or hours?

Or does it not empty after many hours?

If you're getting some flow....empties after many minutes you might
get lucky with a chemical drain opener.

Unfortunately, using a chemical drain opener will preclude using the
plunger with standing water (there would be a good chance in splashing
the stuff all over place)

Also in order to get really effective plunger action you've got to
block the overflow....sometimes not easy to do completely in a bathtub
or even a bathroom sink. And depend on where the clog is...plunging
could just send air & water up the vent.

A really badly blocked drain often needs a snake...... a slow drain or
even a "very slow" drain can be opened with enzyme drain cleaner or
chemical drain cleaner.

If the tub is on the first floor and the house is built on a
crawlspace....you can access the drain plumbing from the crawlspace.
There might be a cleanout in the bathtub line.

But now that another poster has pointed out that I missed in your OP
you clogged drain reference.......

The knob might pry off......revealing some sort of fastening. But
if the installation is really old, the knob might be frozen on the
shaft & prying might break something. If you do choose to attempt to
pry the knob off, use two same size screwdrivers or small pry bars and
protect the surface of the tub with cardboard or wood (paint
stirrers). Pry gently ...... its an acquired skill (unfortunately,
acquired by breaking things)

http://www.zepcommercial.com/products.asp?category=3D11

Drain maintenance using Zep Drain Care=AE Build Up Remover will
prevent these issues in the future

Use this products on clogs Zep Professional Strength Drain Opener

Good luck

cheers
Bob

Posted by Kompu Kid on February 7, 2009, 5:20 pm

> > Hello Bob:
> > I am trying to clean a clogged drain. I am being told that I am
> > supposed to stick a snake through the hole that the knob covers.
> > Since I could not get that knob off, I thought maybe this enzyme stuff
> > may help loosen the clogged material.
> > So far no luck, though.
> > Deguza

> Ok....... are you getting any flow =A0...that is, does the tub empty
> after many minutes or hours?
> Or does it not empty after many hours?
> If you're getting some flow....empties after many minutes you might
> get lucky with a chemical drain opener.
> Unfortunately, using a chemical drain opener will preclude using the
> plunger with standing water (there would be a good chance in splashing
> the stuff all over place)
> Also in order to get really effective plunger action you've got to
> block the overflow....sometimes not easy to do completely in a bathtub
> or even a bathroom sink. =A0And depend on where the clog is...plunging
> could just send air & water up the vent.
> A really badly blocked drain often needs a snake...... a slow drain or
> even a "very slow" drain can be opened with enzyme drain cleaner or
> chemical drain cleaner.
> If the tub is on the first floor and the house is built on a
> crawlspace....you can access the drain plumbing from the crawlspace.
> There might be a cleanout in the bathtub line.
> But now that another poster has pointed out that I missed in your OP
> you clogged drain reference.......
> The knob might pry off......revealing some sort of fastening. =A0 =A0But
> if the installation is really old, the knob might be frozen on the
> shaft & prying might break something. =A0 If you do choose to attempt to
> pry the knob off, use two same size screwdrivers or small pry bars and
> protect the surface of the tub with cardboard or wood (paint
> stirrers). =A0Pry gently ...... its an acquired skill (unfortunately,
> acquired by breaking things)
> http://www.zepcommercial.com/products.asp?category=3D11
> Drain maintenance using Zep Drain Care=AE Build Up Remover =A0 will
> prevent these issues in the future
> Use this products on clogs =A0 Zep Professional Strength Drain Opener
> Good luck
> cheers
> Bob

Well, I must be lucky: It drains slowly. If I get 1 or 2 inches of
water it takes about 5 minutes or so. In fact, this improved a bit
since I used the enzyme.

I agree I have to use the snake eventually. I have a crawl space where
I can probably access the pipes easily, but I do not want to go down
there in this damp and rainy weather.

Also, for future issues like this I think it would be best to develop
the capability to clear the pipe from the bathroom.

The bathroom is relatively new. The house was built 60 year ago, but
the previous owner must have done a remodel within the past 10 years
or so.

I am afraid to pry the knob though. One poster was saying earlier that
he has seen this type of knob at his mother's home, and it was secured
from the back.

Even if the clog clears, I will cut the backpanel of the counter in
the kitchen and the Sheetrock and see if I can reach the knob and the
pipes from behind.

By the way, thanks for all the suggestions.

Deguza

Posted by Bobk207 on February 7, 2009, 5:45 pm

> > > Hello Bob:
> > > I am trying to clean a clogged drain. I am being told that I am
> > > supposed to stick a snake through the hole that the knob covers.
> > > Since I could not get that knob off, I thought maybe this enzyme stuf=

> > > may help loosen the clogged material.
> > > So far no luck, though.
> > > Deguza

> > Ok....... are you getting any flow =A0...that is, does the tub empty
> > after many minutes or hours?
> > Or does it not empty after many hours?
> > If you're getting some flow....empties after many minutes you might
> > get lucky with a chemical drain opener.
> > Unfortunately, using a chemical drain opener will preclude using the
> > plunger with standing water (there would be a good chance in splashing
> > the stuff all over place)
> > Also in order to get really effective plunger action you've got to
> > block the overflow....sometimes not easy to do completely in a bathtub
> > or even a bathroom sink. =A0And depend on where the clog is...plunging
> > could just send air & water up the vent.
> > A really badly blocked drain often needs a snake...... a slow drain or
> > even a "very slow" drain can be opened with enzyme drain cleaner or
> > chemical drain cleaner.
> > If the tub is on the first floor and the house is built on a
> > crawlspace....you can access the drain plumbing from the crawlspace.
> > There might be a cleanout in the bathtub line.
> > But now that another poster has pointed out that I missed in your OP
> > you clogged drain reference.......
> > The knob might pry off......revealing some sort of fastening. =A0 =A0Bu=

> > if the installation is really old, the knob might be frozen on the
> > shaft & prying might break something. =A0 If you do choose to attempt t=

> > pry the knob off, use two same size screwdrivers or small pry bars and
> > protect the surface of the tub with cardboard or wood (paint
> > stirrers). =A0Pry gently ...... its an acquired skill (unfortunately,
> > acquired by breaking things)
> >http://www.zepcommercial.com/products.asp?category=3D11
> > Drain maintenance using Zep Drain Care=AE Build Up Remover =A0 will
> > prevent these issues in the future
> > Use this products on clogs =A0 Zep Professional Strength Drain Opener
> > Good luck
> > cheers
> > Bob

> Well, I must be lucky: It drains slowly. If I get 1 or 2 inches =A0of
> water it takes about 5 minutes or so. In fact, this improved a bit
> since I used the enzyme.
> I agree I have to use the snake eventually. I have a crawl space where
> I can probably access the pipes easily, but I do not want to go down
> there in this damp and rainy weather.
> Also, for future issues like this I think it would be best to develop
> the capability to clear the pipe from the bathroom.
> The bathroom is relatively new. The house was built 60 year ago, but
> the previous owner must have done a remodel within the past 10 years
> or so.
> I am afraid to pry the knob though. One poster was saying earlier that
> he has seen this type of knob at his mother's home, and it was secured
> from the back.
> Even if the clog clears, I will cut the backpanel of the counter in
> the kitchen and the Sheetrock and see if I can reach the knob and the
> pipes from behind.
> By the way, thanks for all the suggestions.
> Deguza

If you can get the drainage to improve even slightly
...continue you use your enzyme product or switch to the Zep Drain
Care Build Up remover.

I've been using & recommending that stuff for YEARS (close to 30).
When used as a drain maintenance method it will improve drain
performance and usually preclude the need for ever using a snake.

I would hold off on tearing into the back side of the tub area for a
while, give the drain enzyme a chance......like every night for a
week. If the flow is acceptable switch to 3 days in a row per week
for a month & then drop back to every 6 months.

Way easier than cutting an access hole.

Cheers
Bob

Posted by Kompu Kid on February 8, 2009, 3:38 pm

[..]

> If you can get the drainage to improve even slightly
> ...continue you use your enzyme product or switch to the Zep Drain
> Care Build Up remover.
> I've been using & recommending that stuff for YEARS =A0(close to 30).
> When used as a drain maintenance method =A0it will improve drain
> performance and usually preclude the need for ever using a snake.
> I would hold off on tearing into the back side of the tub area for a
> while, give the drain enzyme a chance......like every night for a
> week. =A0If the flow is acceptable switch to 3 days in a row per week
> for a month & then drop back to every 6 months.
> Way easier than cutting an access hole.
> Cheers
> Bob

It is funny! I kept referring to the stuff I was using as "enzyme". A
few minutes ago I looked at the manufacturer , brand, etc.

It turns out what I got from the local Home Depot *was* Zep!

I did not pay attention to other similar products at Home Depot. The
one I got says:
        ZEP Commercial
        Drain Care
        Professional Strength.

Are there different types of ZEP?

Deguza

Posted by Bobk207 on February 8, 2009, 8:47 pm

turns out what I got from the local Home Depot *was* Zep!

> I did not pay attention to other similar products at Home Depot. The
> one I got says:
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 ZEP Commercial
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Drain Care
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Professional Strength.
> Are there different types of ZEP?
> Deguza

ZEP Commercial Drain Care Professional Strength.
That is one I would suggest to get a nearly stopped drain working.

ZEP is a manufacturer of MANY household chemicals

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=3Dnb_ss_hg?url=3Dsearch-alias%3Dgarden&field-ke=
ywords=3Dzep&x=3D0&y=3D0

their enzyme drain build up remover product

Zep #DC-16 18OZ Drain Cleaner
http://www.amazon.com/Zep-DC-16-18OZ-Drain-Cleaner/dp/B000AXDLAI

is what I suggest for drain maintenance

If you get that bathtub flowing reasoanbly well....... follow care
with enzyme stuff will keep it working forever (unless you have a
mechanical blockage; toothpaste cap, paper clip, LEGO block, etc)

let us know how it works out

cheers
Bob

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Bathtub question - Page 5