Utterly disgusting plugholes, can I use lav cleaner ?

morganlefay

We have recently moved and are planning to have bathroom renewed. But in the meantime the basins and bath have these truly horrible plugholes. It looks as if evil plants are trying to grow up through them into the basin. I have tried evey sort of drain cleaner known to my excellent hardware shop, but while they are a bit better I can still see evil brown bits below the little grid. Lakeland sell a sort of wand thing you push down the hole and twist and pull up, but to be honest I can't face doing it: whatever might emerge ? So my question is: has anyone tried putting Harpic type lav cleaner doen a basin, and if so did it help ? I have to shut my eyes when cleaning teeth as I can't bear to look
down the plughole. Harpic is the only thing I haven't tried.


[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

psso

I pour boiling water down then add some soda crystals. Leave for a while then pour down more boiling water. This usually gets rid of the grease/gunk without any bother.

good_advice

Perhaps baking powder and white vinegar will help?

System

has anyone tried putting Harpic type lav cleaner doen a basin, and if so did it help ? I have to shut my eyes when cleaning teeth as I can't bear to look

I did, it discoloured the chrome. Persevere with soda crystals. Bleach also discoloured the chrome.

AnnieO1234

Caustic soda, or if you think it's hair, cheap hair removal cream leave for as long as possible and flush out with boiling water.

Xx

BitterAndTwisted

What you DO NOT want it for a permanent blockage to occur with some fiendish caustic soda sitting on top of it. That way, chemical burns lie. In fact I wouldn't advise monkeying about with caustic soda at all if it can be avoided.

PlutoinCapricorn

I found a modern style plastic plunger and was amazed at what it pulled up. I now do preventative plunging once a week.

I did in the past put bleach etc. down and it does discolour the chrome.

maman

We had a really good drain cleaner from B&Q but sorry can't remember the name. It got rid of build up of soap scum etc in bath.

Butterfly_Brain

Poundland do a great drain cleaner

gayleygoo

I put the black-bottle Harpic down a plughole, it discoloured everything.

I use a dentist tooth pick kinda thing (from poundland) to hoke the black gunk out of my sink. It is disgusting work, but oddly satisfying (like squeezing big spots). Get the lakeland thing if it claims to do the job, I'd love one of those! Set up torch or light so you can see down the plughole. If you get the big clumps out, it should be easier to use drain cleaner afterwards.

Would it be worth taking the U-bend thing off the bottom of the sink and attacking it that way?

anotheruser

Yes, if you can, start a fresh.
It will smell, but take the U-bend off and clean it out properly. Then make sure you give it a good dash of boiling water every month.

DO NOT USE CAUSTIC SODA on copper pipes.
It will erode them on the inside and will have to be replaced after. Soda Crystals will do the job or baking soda and vinegar, but all of this shouldn't be needed with a good splash of boiling water.

Unless you wanted to try the pressure washer trick?