Liquid Sink/Bath Plughole Unblockers

Fastflys

There are a number of liquid plughole unblockers on the market, Mr. Muscle to name but one.

Does anyone know if these actually work?

I have a slow draining plastic bath but am reluctant to use any of these liquids as they all appear to contain corrosives such as caustic soda. Surely any spillage onto the plastic bath surface will result in permanent damage?

Is there an unblocker purpose made for use in plastic baths?

Mazda

Have you tried using a plunger at all ? No chemicals but lots of splashing and it usually works.

Fastflys

Yes, I’ve tried plunging – Got one of those with a handle that sucks water in and blows it out, [dual action] but it hasn’t worked.

I’m now thinking that the blockage is not in the “U” bend but further along the waste pipe.

Some of these liquid unblockers say that they foam and clean the waste pipe as well as the “U” bend but I've not used any before, hence my post above.

I can’t remember the name but I think Harpic make an aerosol high pressure water jet type unblocker, the one advertised as “Maybe quicker than a plumber”.
If anybody has used one of these, your comments will be most welcome.

Str4berr3

I think that when using those liquids stuff, its important that you only pour it into the hole and any spills must be wiped away as asap.

frosty

When our kitchen sink was blocked I used a product called harpic power jet(sink and plughole unblocker)Tesco sell it with the bathroom and kitchen cleaners.I thought it was amazing what came out of the pipe,maybe you remember the advert "its cheaper than a Plumber"it costs about £3.50.

carol_a_3

I've used Mr Muscle sink and plug hole unblocker (not the foam one but the thick liquid) It's expensive but it does work. I've got a plastic bath too but if you pour it in carefully as str4berr3 above mentions it should be fine

frosty

have you tried pouring a cup of bicarb down the plughole then pour a cup of white vinegar on it ,it fizzies a bit, it might work.

Str4berr3

Best to go to your local plumbing shop and ask for the most strongest one.

Fastflys

I've also been told that pouring household soda crystals and hot water into the
“U” bend may do the trick.

Are soda crystals available from a supermarket and are they called “Soda Crystals?”
Yeah I know but I am a bloke. :rolleyes:

harpo1

First beg borrow or hire a pressure washer - yep the thing you clean cars & paths with. Do the hot water & soda crystals to soften the fats & oils that might have blocked the pipes. Let it cool down a little & then put the nozzle to the plug hole & start her up. Hold tight cause it can get a little messy put this is how we clear our outside gullys & drains & it works an absolute treat

Maisie

I used Mr Muscle on our slow running bath and sink.
It didn't work on either.
I was annoyed as it was nearly £4 a bottle. I emailed Johnson & Johnson (I think it was them who make Mr Muscle) and told them it didn't work. They said sometimes you have to use more than one bottle. I said I wasn't happy about it and asked for a refund. The sent me some vouchers for the cost.

As we are covered by British Gas for plumbing and drains it covers blocked sink pipes etc and I got them in. They said it's hair and sludge from conditioners toothpaste etc. Said those cleaning products don't work if sludge has built up in pipes.

The plumber showed us what came out yuk!. Then put high pressure hoses etc through the pipes to clear it all. It worked a treat.

Now we have a little holey disc over the plug hole and it's amazing how much hair and toothpaste it stops going down the plughole. It only cost about 49p and well worth it.

Try putting a thin wire down plug and loosening the trapped stuff it might help.