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View Full Version : Cat litter in shower drain.


missk
Dec 13, 2010, 08:11 AM
I did something really, really, stupid. Last year I was taking care of a friend's cat. The cat recently had surgery and I had him enclosed in the bathroom after surgery, until he could walk normal. Anyway, I had flushable cat litter in the box. Instead of being smart and disposing it in the trash or outside, I started flushing it in the toilet (after all it says its flushable). Well I was getting impatient as I was putting in a little at a time and flushing over and over again. Which was working quite well. But I was impatient, so I stupidly poured some in the shower drain and ran hot water. Well... the water started standing in the shower. I have had standing water in it ever since. I put some clorox in it as I was getting mold in there. My husband went out and bought something for clogged drains and I poured that in there... nothing. However, after I poured that in there I read that this was the wrong type of draino that they actually have one for standing water clogs. Anyway, I am ready to tackle this problem. I have a feeling it won't be too difficult. I have been putting this off as we have three bathrooms and this particular one we hardly use. Currently there are some round mold things growing in the water. I'm thinking I should pour a bottle of clorox in there first, put on a mask, then get the shop vac and suck out as much as I can with it, then with gloves open the drain somehow, and suck out some more with the shop vac? This is a plastic drain, shower only.
So what do you think... besides the fact that this is so ridiculous in the first place??

smoothy
Dec 13, 2010, 08:24 AM
Mixing Clorox and certain other chemicals can creat highly toxic chemical fumes... mostly types of clorine gas not terribly unlike some of the poisonous gas used in the First work war.

You need to sit down and write exactly WHAT you have poured into it up to this point. As in what brand and type.

Then let us know... if you mix the wrong two together... you could die right there in your house from the poisonous gasses that could result.

missk
Dec 13, 2010, 08:33 AM
Well I used draino and that was about six or more months ago. I really don't know exactly which one though. I suppose I could just call out a plumber, don't want to pay the large bill, if I can possibly do this myself! I poured some clorox in there a couple of months ago. The water is about two inches deep. There is some kitty litter surrounding the drain. Ugh...

speedball1
Dec 13, 2010, 08:35 AM
Hey Missk,
Don't beat yourself to death! I've see clogs a lot worse. Forget pouring harsh chemicals down the drain. They only seem, to work in TV commercials anyhow and if any gets in your eyes you're in a world of hurt.
If you have a shop vac try that and then wash the shower floor with bleach.
If the shop vac doesn't get it then it will have to be snakd.(see image) The kitty litter's most likely in the bend of the trap so it should be a easy job.
Next time baby sit a dog! Good luck, Tom

missk
Dec 13, 2010, 08:38 AM
I would even be willing to use the shop vac just for this project, and get a new one... because of the mold in the water...

missk
Dec 13, 2010, 08:39 AM
Thanks for the answers! :)