P-Traps: Yes, They Need to be Cleaned

I've been on vacation for the past week. I'm looking forward to going back to work tomorrow just so I can get some rest.

Today, it was P-Traps and sink drains pipes. The house we bought is 10 years old. I don't think the previous (original) owners ever cleaned the gutters (which I've already discussed) or the p-traps under any of the sinks. I've spent the bulk of the day doing that. Nasty, nasty, nasty. I don't know what that black, semi-solid, gelatinous, hairy sludge that forms in sink drains is called, but it's somewhat disgusting.

On the other hand, all sinks drain much better now and my wife is in awe of my manly prowess and home improvement skills. I could tell by the way she said, "You're making a mess."

So, the tip of the day is: clean those p-traps annually!

That stuff is nasty, but it sure does smell good don't you think? :P

Easy money for plumbers/handyman types. If it was really that bad, you may want to check the drop you pipes have - make sure everything flows the way it is supposed to.

I like the way it splatters around under the sink, then spreads itself impossibly thin when you try to wipe it up. If paint spread like that painting would take half the time.

That stuff for septic tanks helps keep it under control (Rid-X?)... there are other brands

Contains bacteria and enzymes that like to eat it for dinner

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Originally Posted by 68Charger

That stuff for septic tanks helps keep it under control (Rid-X?)... there are other brands

Contains bacteria and enzymes that like to eat it for dinner

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Speaking of dinner,
DO NOT put left over rice down your garbage disposal.... Ask my wife what happens when you do...... I ended up cleaning out about 18" of under sink piping, From the hoizontal output of the disposal to the "tee" to join the other sink, through the "J" trap into the wall to the drop to the main drain.....
I like rice, but it mixed with the black sludge and all the fabricating tools to clean the piping and the splashing & dripping of the mixed gunk kind of turned me off to rice for a little while.

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Originally Posted by Irving

I like the way it splatters around under the sink, then spreads itself impossibly thin when you try to wipe it up. If paint spread like that painting would take half the time.

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No kidding. I noticed that when my wife was bitching about cleaning up the mess under the sink.

Drano in each P trap a couple of times a year. Pour some in the disposer while it spins. Let them all sit overnight with it in there. It's worth the $10.

Also, cascade and ice cubes to clean out the disposer. yuck.

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Originally Posted by JohnnyDrama

Easy money for plumbers/handyman types. If it was really that bad, you may want to check the drop you pipes have - make sure everything flows the way it is supposed to.

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Yeah...all that was checked in the inspection. They were just dirty from neglect...but good point anyway.

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

I've been on vacation for the past week. I'm looking forward to going back to work tomorrow just so I can get some rest.

Today, it was P-Traps and sink drains pipes. The house we bought is 10 years old. I don't think the previous (original) owners ever cleaned the gutters (which I've already discussed) or the p-traps under any of the sinks. I've spent the bulk of the day doing that. Nasty, nasty, nasty. I don't know what that black, semi-solid, gelatinous, hairy sludge that forms in sink drains is called, but it's somewhat disgusting.

On the other hand, all sinks drain much better now and my wife is in awe of my manly prowess and home improvement skills. I could tell by the way she said, "You're making a mess."

So, the tip of the day is: clean those p-traps annually!

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Originally Posted by kwando

That stuff is nasty, but it sure does smell good don't you think? :P

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I think it's called Kimchi

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Originally Posted by 68Charger

That stuff for septic tanks helps keep it under control (Rid-X?)... there are other brands

Contains bacteria and enzymes that like to eat it for dinner

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gnihcraes

Drano in each P trap a couple of times a year. Pour some in the disposer while it spins. Let them all sit overnight with it in there. It's worth the $10.

Also, cascade and ice cubes to clean out the disposer. yuck.

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We used bakers yeast and warm water for septic systems.

For cleaning the lines, i use baking powder, rinse with warm water. THEN some vinegar down the pipes. I use the powder in each drain with some vinegar till it stops foaming, once a month
It's the "Monthly" Douching of the Drains. Remarkably Fresh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gnihcraes

Drano in each P trap a couple of times a year. Pour some in the disposer while it spins. Let them all sit overnight with it in there. It's worth the $10.

Also, cascade and ice cubes to clean out the disposer. yuck.

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I make a portion of my living from fixing stuff when people do this.
Draino will eat the disposal.

Jam it completely full of ice cubes while it's running with a wooden spoon not your fingers. Add a quart of water and more ice until you completely plug the drain pipe and it backs up with a clear slushy. It will turn black while it scrapes the inside of your disposal clean but won't eat the seals and cause more corrosion. Ice actually cleans better than any other product for disposals.

Draino also eats the pop up arm surprisingly well in bathroom sinks

A larger portion of my living is made from fishing stuff out of the drain.

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

Draino also eats the pop up arm surprisingly well in bathroom sinks

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Was recently snaking the drain in the wife's bathroom and noticed the pop up arm was totally eaten away. Wife would put draino in the sink, so I guess that explains that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

I make a portion of my living from fixing stuff when people do this.
Draino will eat the disposal.

Jam it completely full of ice cubes while it's running with a wooden spoon not your fingers. Add a quart of water and more ice until you completely plug the drain pipe and it backs up with a clear slushy. It will turn black while it scrapes the inside of your disposal clean but won't eat the seals and cause more corrosion. Ice actually cleans better than any other product for disposals.

Draino also eats the pop up arm surprisingly well in bathroom sinks

A larger portion of my living is made from fishing stuff out of the drain.

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good to know. Thanks!

I would reccomend never using draino the stuff dosent work. If your sink is clogged you need to clear the line no amount of draino will free it up. Thankfully my job now i do minimal plumbing work.

We have a septic system so I avoid things like Draino. I know they say it's safe but others, who aren't trying to sell it, say it isn't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

I make a portion of my living from fixing stuff when people do this.
Draino will eat the disposal.

Jam it completely full of ice cubes while it's running with a wooden spoon not your fingers. Add a quart of water and more ice until you completely plug the drain pipe and it backs up with a clear slushy. It will turn black while it scrapes the inside of your disposal clean but won't eat the seals and cause more corrosion. Ice actually cleans better than any other product for disposals.

Draino also eats the pop up arm surprisingly well in bathroom sinks

A larger portion of my living is made from fishing stuff out of the drain.

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Ice is good for scrubbing the black tank in your RV also.

After you dump, and prep it. Stop and get 20lbs of ice and dump it in before you hit the road.