SSSSLLLOOOWWWWW Bathroom Drain..

[GpaVader]

Looking for some suggestions for a slow bathroom drain. It's been doing it for awhile. I've checked the P-Trap and its clear. This is a sink that the vent is under the sink. I've also used the Liquid Plumber Foaming Dain cleaner, we used to use that at our old home.... I have another drain with the same vent pipe configuration and that works just fine.

Thanks

[Bill14564]

Looking for some suggestions for a slow bathroom drain. It's been doing it for awhile. I've checked the P-Trap and its clear. This is a sink that the vent is under the sink. I've also used the Liquid Plumber Foaming Dain cleaner, we used to use that at our old home.... I have another drain with the same vent pipe configuration and that works just fine.

Thanks

Only thing I can think of is a wad of hair or other material caught on the drain plug mechanism though the liquid plumber *should* have taken care of that.

[retiredguy123]

I have a few suggestions:

1. Remove the nut that holds in the drain plug mechanism under the sink and pull out the drain plug rod.
2. Use a plunger. They make a special small plunger for sinks. They also make a super duper plunger that uses some type of compressed air or gas.
3. Remove the vent mechanism.
4. Remove the P-trap and use a drain snake.

[New Englander]

A drain snake works better than any drain cleaner. If someone you know has one or hire a plumber.

[Toymeister]

I think it is hair mixed with soap. Try this hair snare:

25 Inch Sink Snake Drain Clog Remover Tool,6 Pack Drain Cleaner Hair Clog Remover Tool, Drain Hair Remover Plumbers Snake, Drain Cleaner Sticks, Easy and Quick Unclog Sink Drain, Kitchen, Shower, tub. https://a.co/d/jbTTZjL

[Dusty_Star]

I think it is hair mixed with soap. Try this hair snare:

25 Inch Sink Snake Drain Clog Remover Tool,6 Pack Drain Cleaner Hair Clog Remover Tool, Drain Hair Remover Plumbers Snake, Drain Cleaner Sticks, Easy and Quick Unclog Sink Drain, Kitchen, Shower, tub. https://a.co/d/jbTTZjL

These look awesome! Gpa Vader, if you try these things, please let us know how it went.

[village dreamer]

i use boiling hot water about 1/2 gal.

[Babubhat]

These look awesome! Gpa Vader, if you try these things, please let us know how it went.

Dollar tree has them. Works well

[wamley]

1/2 fill the sink with water cover the overflow outlet at the top of the sink with a wash cloth and use the plunger repeatedly and you will see stuff come out that was caking up for years. Keep the water running try to take out the large chucks that get dislodged.Reat this process until you have a clear drain. Do it once month and you'll never have a slow drain again.

[thevillagernie]

Only thing I can think of is a wad of hair or other material caught on the drain plug mechanism though the liquid plumber *should* have taken care of that.
I once took a slow drain apart from the bottom and my wife had dropped a piece of dental floss in there and there was stuff hanging all over it.take it apart...clean as you go

[bowlingal]

when using liquid plumber, to flush, I boil water and then pour it down the drain. Plain hot water doesn't do it

[dougjb]

I once took a slow drain apart from the bottom and my wife had dropped a piece of dental floss in there and there was stuff hanging all over it.take it apart...clean as you go

Yeah Yeah....When it doubt....always blame in on the wife! Now let her read your post! ;)

[retiredguy123]

when using liquid plumber, to flush, I boil water and then pour it down the drain. Plain hot water doesn't do it
Note that PVC pipes are only rated up to 140 degrees F, but boiling water can be as high as 212 degrees. It can deform the pipe and/or melt the glue. Pouring boiling water down a clogged pipe can increase the chance for damaging the pipe.

[jarodrig]

Can you replace the vent itself ? That may be the issue.

I believe that ACE carries them ….

[retiredguy123]

Can you replace the vent itself ? That may be the issue.

I believe that ACE carries them ….
I agree. But, if you can just remove the vent device, you will see immediately if that is causing the problem.

[jarodrig]

I agree. But, if you can just remove the vent device, you will see immediately if that is causing the problem.

I don’t know enough about them to say that you can “visually” determine proper functionality….

If other suggestions fail to resolve the issue , replacing that valve is worth the shot …. They are not very expensive….

[OhioBuckeye]

I had the same thing when we lived up north. We had 3 vent pipes on the roof & it one of the vent pipes that still had the plug still in the pipe our builder was at our house within an hour & took the plug out, fixed our problem!

[retiredguy123]

I don’t know enough about them to say that you can “visually” determine proper functionality….

If other suggestions fail to resolve the issue , replacing that valve is worth the shot …. They are not very expensive….
The vent device allows air to enter the pipe to provide proper drainage. If you remove it, the pipe will be open and air can enter, but would also allow sewer gas to enter the house. You would need to replace the device if it is defective. It could just be stuck.

[jarodrig]

The vent device allows air to enter the pipe to provide proper drainage. If you remove it, the pipe will be open and air can enter, but would also allow sewer gas to enter the house. You would need to replace the device if it is defective. It could just be stuck.

Yes , I know the “basics” on how they work ….. basically a check valve allowing air in but preventing fumes to escape ….

I worked at ACE for 5 years and sold a few from time to time .

The ones I’m familiar with are sealed so I’m not sure if any way to “visually” check for proper functioning.

If it got “stuck” once , it will probably do it again .

Best to replace it with a new one since you already have it in hand ….

[Wondering]

Looking for some suggestions for a slow bathroom drain. It's been doing it for awhile. I've checked the P-Trap and its clear. This is a sink that the vent is under the sink. I've also used the Liquid Plumber Foaming Dain cleaner, we used to use that at our old home.... I have another drain with the same vent pipe configuration and that works just fine.

Thanks
Try You Tube video search.

[Cliff Fr]

It could be construction debri stuck in a pipe. I've seen that happen

[ron32162]

The last place I would ask about a drain is here . Most cant even change a light bulb

[GpaVader]

Thanks for all the recommendations. Te cheap cleaner took care of the problem.

[Michael G.]

Note that PVC pipes are only rated up to 140 degrees F, but boiling water can be as high as 212 degrees. It can deform the pipe and/or melt the glue. Pouring boiling water down a clogged pipe can increase the chance for damaging the pipe.

Now this is interesting, never gave this a thought.
Now I know why their don't use PVC as water pipes.

[Michael G.]

The last place I would ask about a drain is here . Most cant even change a light bulb

HEY watch your mouth, my wife can change a light bulb
in our 40' cathedral ceiling while I read a newspaper. :icon_twisted:

[Bill14564]

Now this is interesting, never gave this a thought.
Now I know why their don't use PVC as water pipes.

I had no idea there were different types of "PVC" pipe. I know all the pipes I can see in my house (supply from the street, above the water heater, through the wall under the sink) are all white plastic. I assumed all white plastic pipe was PVC. Now I know there is PVC and CPVC and it is likely that all the pipes I have noticed are CPVC.

[retiredguy123]

I had no idea there were different types of "PVC" pipe. I know all the pipes I can see in my house (supply from the street, above the water heater, through the wall under the sink) are all white plastic. I assumed all white plastic pipe was PVC. Now I know there is PVC and CPVC and it is likely that all the pipes I have noticed are CPVC.
I don't know what type of plastic pipe is used in the Villages houses, but there is a difference between pressure pipe and drain pipe. The drain pipes are allowed to have a thinner wall construction than the Schedule 40 pressure pipes used for water supply. In any event, I wouldn't pour boiling water down the drain.

[Bill14564]

I don't know what type of plastic pipe is used in the Villages houses, but there is a difference between pressure pipe and drain pipe. The drain pipes are allowed to have a thinner wall construction than the Schedule 40 pressure pipes used for water supply. In any event, I wouldn't pour boiling water down the drain.

Interesting point.

Several sites suggest using boiling water to clear slow drains. At least one mentions that this could hurt the PVC pipes.

While the water supply lines are likely made of CPVC due to the expected temperature and pressure, the drain lines might very well be made of PVC since pressure is not an issue.

PVC is rated to about 120 degrees for normal supply line pressures. Some sites suggest hot water heaters should be set between 120 degrees and 140 degrees which would exceed the PVC rating. CPVC is rated to 180 degrees which should be more than adequate for supply lines.

From what the OP wrote in a follow-up post above, boiling water would not have helped. If the clog could be removed by the cheap cleaner then it was not something that would soften with boiling water.

[Chi-Town]

1/2 fill the sink with water cover the overflow outlet at the top of the sink with a wash cloth and use the plunger repeatedly and you will see stuff come out that was caking up for years. Keep the water running try to take out the large chucks that get dislodged.Reat this process until you have a clear drain. Do it once month and you'll never have a slow drain again.

I've done that. It's amazing what you see as you plunge. Very Alien like.