I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

Matt wrote:
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?



Caustic soda, boiling water and skin, and especially eye protection.

If it dissolves a human body in 6 weeks, it usually unblocks a sink in 6
seconds.

"Matt" wrote in message
...
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

The alternative to caustic would be carefully disassemble the U Bend and
clean it out. There are plenty of safer alternatives for sink clearance
other than caustic, but it will work and usually produce some heat in the
process. Can be quite entertaining and interesting patterns form on
stainless steel sinks too.


Chuck the waste down the loo and NOT back down the sink because you'll get
wet feet ;-)

On 20 Jul, 09:03, "R" wrote:

Chuck the waste down the loo

not wise, use the bin or garden. Its remarkable how tiny things can
block a bog.


NT

On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:40:51 +0100, Matt wrote:

I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

==================================
They do work pretty well but there are cheaper alternatives. First, and
most obvious, buy another plunger since you've been satisfied with one in
the past. Secondly, check the sink trap. Many come with a screw cap or
base which can be removed to clear blockages. If your trap doesn't have a
removable screw cap it might be possible to dismantle a part of it if it's
'push fit'.

If you've got an ancient lead one-piece system then stick with the
chemicals - there's less risk of damage.

Cic.

--
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

Matt wrote:
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?




Get another plunger

"Matt" wrote

I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

Er indoors only blocked ours once before I got one of those plug hole
cover/strainer things.
They are a bit of a pain in that they slow the water leaving the sink, but
they do stop vegetable matter etc from entering the waste trap and pipe
work.

Phil

"TheScullster" wrote in message
. uk...

"Matt" wrote

I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

Er indoors only blocked ours once before I got one of those plug hole
cover/strainer things.
They are a bit of a pain in that they slow the water leaving the sink, but
they do stop vegetable matter etc from entering the waste trap and pipe
work.

Phil

As someone who has never had a blockage, I would suggest that it is worth
dismantling the u bend to check there isn't something causing frequent
blockages (heavy grit for example).

On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:40:51 +0100, "Matt" wrote:

I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

Hi,

Try a 4 pint milk container full of water as a plunger, just squeeze
as hard as poss while pushing down. Ensure sink is at least half full
of water first

cheers,
Pete.

John wrote:
"TheScullster" wrote in message
. uk...
"Matt" wrote

I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

Er indoors only blocked ours once before I got one of those plug hole
cover/strainer things.
They are a bit of a pain in that they slow the water leaving the sink, but
they do stop vegetable matter etc from entering the waste trap and pipe
work.

Phil

As someone who has never had a blockage, I would suggest that it is worth
dismantling the u bend to check there isn't something causing frequent
blockages (heavy grit for example).



Often assorted debris left behind by kitchen fitters who can't resist
cleaning their tools in the sink once it's connected.
Chemicals are hardly ever necessary, but their use seems to give people
satisfaction. Another triumph for the marketing brigade, along with
bottled water etc.

Matt wrote:
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a
plunger but someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those
drain snakes ?
Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right lines ?

I use one of these for unblocking sinks
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp...rrer=Shopzilla

A thing of wonderous plunginess............

Shifts almost anything.

--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

R wrote:
"Matt" wrote in message
...
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a
plunger but someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those
drain snakes ? Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right
lines ?

The alternative to caustic would be carefully disassemble the U Bend
and clean it out. There are plenty of safer alternatives for sink
clearance other than caustic, but it will work and usually produce
some heat in the process. Can be quite entertaining and interesting
patterns form on stainless steel sinks too.


Chuck the waste down the loo and NOT back down the sink because
you'll get wet feet ;-)

You're not a plumber unless you have washed out a trap in the sink you just
removed it from :-)


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:40:51 +0100, Matt wrote:

I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a plunger but
someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those drain snakes ?

Where I'm not 100% sure that all hidden joints are securely solvent-welded
I tend to go for sucking the pipe clear rather than blowing, in case I
blow a pipe joint apart in an inaccessible location. I used to have a sort
of bike-pump-on-steroids gizmo that would do this but lately I've just
used my wet&dry vac, with some success.

--
John Stumbles

I used to be forgetful but now I ... um ....

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
R wrote:
"Matt" wrote in message
...
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a
plunger but someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those
drain snakes ? Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right
lines ?

The alternative to caustic would be carefully disassemble the U Bend
and clean it out. There are plenty of safer alternatives for sink
clearance other than caustic, but it will work and usually produce
some heat in the process. Can be quite entertaining and interesting
patterns form on stainless steel sinks too.


Chuck the waste down the loo and NOT back down the sink because
you'll get wet feet ;-)

You're not a plumber unless you have washed out a trap in the sink you
just removed it from :-)

Thankfully Dave I'm not a plumber otherwise I'd have a £2m mansion and
people clearing out the crap for me ;-)

I'll stick to repairing lorry cranes ta!

On 2007-07-20 22:03:00 +0100, "R" said:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
R wrote:
"Matt" wrote in message
...
I sometimes get a blocked kitchen sink and normally just use a
plunger but someones broken that so I was thinking of one of those
drain snakes ? Are they any good ? and am I thinking along the right
lines ?

The alternative to caustic would be carefully disassemble the U Bend
and clean it out. There are plenty of safer alternatives for sink
clearance other than caustic, but it will work and usually produce
some heat in the process. Can be quite entertaining and interesting
patterns form on stainless steel sinks too.


Chuck the waste down the loo and NOT back down the sink because
you'll get wet feet ;-)

You're not a plumber unless you have washed out a trap in the sink you
just removed it from :-)

Thankfully Dave I'm not a plumber otherwise I'd have a £2m mansion and
people clearing out the crap for me ;-)

I'll stick to repairing lorry cranes ta!

Is this those hydraulic cranes on lorries used for lifting pallets of
bricks etc. or are you talking about a large stationary crane able to
lift lorries?