- Totally agree, hot water by itself isn’t a magic fix, especially for stuff like congealed grease or hair.
- The zip-it tool is a solid move—pulls out way more than you’d expect (and it’s kinda gross, honestly).
- From what I’ve seen, hot water helps keep things moving, but once there’s a clog forming, mechanical removal is way more effective.
- Also, if you’re pouring boiling water down PVC pipes, gotta be careful—too much heat can mess with the plastic over time.
- Combo of regular hot water flushes and physical cleaning seems to work best, at least in older houses I’ve worked on.
- Skipping a month really does make a difference... drains get nasty fast.
I’ve seen way too many folks pour boiling water straight down their PVC just because someone online said it works wonders. That can backfire pretty quick—had a call last winter where a homeowner warped their trap, and we had to replace the whole section. A little heat is fine, but boiling water on plastic pipes isn’t worth the risk.
Mechanical removal always wins for hair and gunk, in my experience. Those zip-it things are cheap and honestly pull out stuff you’d never imagine was stuck in there. Not glamorous, but it beats dumping chemicals or scalding water and hoping for the best.
Skipping drain maintenance for even a month or two seems harmless until you see what builds up. I’ve pulled out clogs that looked like something out of a horror movie... It’s definitely one of those “ounce of prevention” deals. Regular hot (not boiling) water flushes help, but nothing replaces getting in there with a tool every so often.
Couldn’t agree more about boiling water—seen too many melted traps and warped pipes from folks trying that “hack.” It’s just not worth the headache or the repair bill. I’m all for those zip-it tools, too. They’re cheap, quick, and honestly, nothing beats pulling out a wad of hair and gunk with your own hands (well, with gloves on). I’d add that even a simple plunger can do wonders before you reach for anything else. Chemicals are a last resort in my book—half the time they just sit on top of the clog anyway. Regular maintenance is way less gross than dealing with a full-blown backup.
I’ve definitely been there with the “boiling water” trick—once melted a cheap plastic trap and learned my lesson the hard way.
—couldn’t agree more, though I’ll admit I gag every time. Curious if anyone’s tried those enzyme-based cleaners for regular maintenance? I’ve heard mixed reviews, but never actually given them a shot. Worth it, or just another gimmick?“nothing beats pulling out a wad of hair and gunk with your own hands (well, with gloves on)”
- Tried enzyme cleaners after a plumber recommended them.
- Honestly, didn’t notice a huge difference. Maybe I was expecting too much?
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—yep, still the most satisfying (and gross) method.“nothing beats pulling out a wad of hair and gunk with your own hands (well, with gloves on)”
- Enzyme stuff might help if you’re super consistent, but for me, it felt like just another bottle under the sink.
- If you hate the manual clean-out, maybe worth a shot, but I wouldn’t call it a miracle fix.
