drain cleaner in shower waste

jbmoffatt

Just fitted a new waste trap to a shower. The instructions for the new trap say "do not use drain cleaners". Does anyone know why it says this and what would happen if you did?

Or more specifically, what should I be using to remove soap sludge and hair from the waste run.

Thanks.

Living_proof

I think some of the harsher drain cleaners can create such heat that they can melt plastic pipes.

andyhop

Can tarnish the chrome finish

jbmoffatt

Thanks for the information.

However does anyone have an answer to the question: what should I be using to remove soap sludge and hair from the shower waste piping.

NeverInDebt

On my shower waste you can pull the top off which is plastic chrome effect and turn the hair trap inside and it pulls out to remove hair. I assume you could put some drain cleaner after that although I have never tried it myself

C.C.L.

I put hair removing cream down my shower waste and it works. I get the stuff from the pound shops just for that as it's more 'watery'.

NeverInDebt

For soap scum you can also use baking soda and distilled vinegar. Or use soda crystals

jbmoffatt

NeverInDebt wrote: »

On my shower waste you can pull the top off which is plastic chrome effect and turn the hair trap inside and it pulls out to remove hair. I assume you could put some drain cleaner after that although I have never tried it myself

Sorry, but it is the bit beyond the trap that I am trying to degunge.

jbmoffatt

NeverInDebt wrote: »

For soap scum you can also use baking soda and distilled vinegar. Or use soda crystals

When you say soda crystals do you mean washing soda?

yangptangkipperbang

Living_proof wrote: »

I think some of the harsher drain cleaners can create such heat that they can melt plastic pipes.

Just about all waste pipes are plastic - shouldn't the "harsher drain cleaners" have a warning saying "do not use on drains"