[ab99]

I'm going crazy...

I had a clogged pipe at a utility sink in my garage. I called a plumber. They said my main plumbing line was clogged with hair, most likely from my wife's hair when she uses the shower.

I already have a hair catch thing in the tub.

After he snake'd out the hair, he suggested that once per month I fill up the tub with hot water, pour in some degreaser, and then let the pressure from the water push the degreaser down the pipes to clear the hardened soap that the hair is stuck to.

All of that makes sense to me, however, I can't find any degreaser to use.

Every time I search Google for degreasers, I either find spray bottles (not applicable), motor engine degreases (I assume also not applicable), degreasers that say not to use with aluminum because they generate hydrogen and are therefore a firehazard (I have copper pipes, but I have no clue if the ancient plumbing drains have some aluminum somewhere), or degreasers that have either bugs/bacteria or the same acids that appear in liquid plumber which I was told not to use (since they would hurt my copper pipes).

The ideal answer would be:
- You need xyz brand / type of degreaser
- You can buy it at such and such website
- It won't hurt your pipes or be a problem for you and can be used regularly, etc
- Environmentally friendly
- (I'm in San Francisco, the house is connected to a sewer, etc)

Thank you for your answer.

[albinfla]

I have regularly used chlorine bleach down my drain. Both my wife and daughter have long hair, which clogs the drain. Overnight, it cleans the drain. I always pour a gallon down it, wipe the chrome off with a couple of paper towels, close the drain and let it do the work. The next morning, just flush with hot water. That has always worked for me.

One of the other experts on this site recommend this remedy... Mix 1/2 cup of table salt with 1/2 cup od baking soda, dump down the drain and then add a cup of vinegar. Allow to bubble and soak over night followed with a bucket of really hot water. The drain should smell great and your septic field will not suffer.

I have never tried it, but others said that it works well. It is environmentally friendly too.
Al

[ballengerb1]

The vinegar/baking soda recipe is mine and I swear by it. It is also quite entertaining if you have kids or grand kids. I'm sure Speedball1, the plumber, likes bleach and it works too, just not as much fun. By the way, I did not invent the concoction but I'm the expert who recommends it all the time.

[speedball1]

Here's my way, Tonight before you go to bed pour 1/2 gallon of bleach down the -drain and let it set overnight. Next morning flush it down with a few large pans of boiling water. The bleach will start to dissolve and soften the hair and make it slippery and the boiling water will melt the grease and flush the mess out into the main. However, Bobs way is more entertaining. Hope this helps . Tom