Totally agree, the trap is usually the culprit. Last time I had a clog, I tried the baking soda and vinegar trick first—just made a fizzy mess and nothing else. Ended up on my hands and knees with a wrench anyway. One thing I learned: those plastic traps are way easier to deal with than the old metal ones. Still, no matter how careful you are, there’s always that one splash of gross water that gets you.
Still, no matter how careful you are, there’s always that one splash of gross water that gets you.
Ain’t that the truth. I’ve been under more sinks than I care to admit, and I swear, the universe has a way of making sure you get at least a little bit of that swampy water on your shirt. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got a bucket, towels, or even a second set of hands—something always finds its way out.
I’ll say, I’m a bit skeptical about the baking soda and vinegar thing. Folks love a good “hack,” but in my experience, it’s more show than go. Like you said, just a fizzy mess and the clog’s still laughing at you. Nine times outta ten, it’s just easier to bite the bullet and pull the trap.
Plastic traps are a blessing and a curse. Way easier to loosen up, but I’ve seen a few cheap ones crack if you look at ’em funny. Still beats wrestling with those old chrome ones that seize up after a few years, though. Just gotta keep a towel handy for the inevitable splash...
I get where you’re coming from on the baking soda and vinegar thing, but I’ve actually had it work a couple times—usually when it’s just a slow drain and not a full-on clog. If it’s packed solid, yeah, you’re wasting your time. But for maintenance, I’ll run some hot water, toss in the baking soda and vinegar, and it seems to keep things moving. Not magic, but it’s saved me from pulling the trap more than once.
On plastic traps, totally agree they’re fragile. I’ve snapped a few just trying to snug them up. Still, I’d rather deal with that than busting my knuckles on those old metal ones that haven’t budged since the ‘80s. Guess it’s a trade-off—either way, you’re getting wet.
On plastic traps, totally agree they’re fragile. I’ve snapped a few just trying to snug them up. Still, I’d rather deal with that than busting my knuckles on those old metal ones that haven’t budged since the ‘80s.
Yeah, I hear you on the plastic vs. metal debate. Last winter, I tried to tighten a plastic trap under our sink and it cracked right at the seam—barely even put any muscle into it. Ended up with water everywhere and a trip to the hardware store. But those old metal ones? Had one in the basement bathroom that looked like it was welded shut by decades of gunk and rust. Took me almost an hour, two busted knuckles, and a lot of choice words to finally get it free.
About the baking soda and vinegar thing, I’m honestly still on the fence. Tried it a couple times when the sink was draining slow, but I can’t say it made a huge difference for me. Maybe I just waited too long and the clog was already too stubborn. Still, if it saves you from crawling under the sink every few months, maybe there’s something to it for maintenance. Cheap enough to try anyway...
- Been there with both types—plastic’s easy to work with until it isn’t, and metal’s a pain unless you’ve got all day and a good set of channel locks.
- Had a job last month where the homeowner had three different types of traps under one sink. Plastic, chrome, and some old brass thing. The plastic one split when I barely touched it, chrome was cross-threaded, and the brass was basically fused together. Ended up replacing the whole mess with new PVC. Sometimes you just have to start fresh.
- On the baking soda and vinegar—honestly, it’s more of a maintenance thing than a fix. If you’re already slow-draining, it’s probably too late for that trick. I’ve seen it help keep things clear if you do it every couple weeks, but once there’s a real clog? You’re crawling under there or breaking out the snake.
- For what it’s worth, I always recommend folks avoid pouring grease down the drain in the first place. That’s what gets most people in trouble.
- At the end of the day, sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty... or call someone who will.
