Funny you mention the mesh strainer—mine catches so much random stuff I’m honestly surprised what makes it down the drain in the first place. I’m with you on the metal traps, though. Plastic always felt like a ticking time bomb. I’ve had to replace one after it cracked just from hand-tightening. Never again.
Enzyme cleaners are hit or miss for me too. They seem to help with odors more than actual clogs.
Same here. I tried a few brands, but if there’s a real clog, nothing beats just pulling the trap and getting your hands dirty. It’s gross, but at least you know it’s actually clean.
Yeah, pulling the trap is nasty work but at least you know it’s done right. I’ve never had much luck with enzyme cleaners on anything more than a slow drain. Ever tried those flexible drain snakes? I keep one under the sink now—surprisingly handy for hair and gunk.
Those flexible snakes are a game changer. I used to just dump boiling water down and hope for the best, but that never really did much. First time I yanked out a wad of hair the size of a mouse, I almost gagged... but hey, at least the sink drains now. Enzyme stuff never worked for me either—just made everything smell weird.
Yeah, those snakes are worth every penny. Here’s what I’ve learned after dealing with way too many clogs:
- Boiling water rarely works unless it’s just grease, and even then, it can push stuff further down.
- Enzyme cleaners are hit or miss—sometimes they help with slow buildup, but for hair or food gunk? Not so much. Plus, tenants hate the smell.
- I keep a set of snakes on hand in different sizes. The flat plastic ones are great for bathroom sinks and tubs, but for kitchen sinks, a longer metal snake is better.
- Pro tip: If you’re pulling out hair, gloves are a must... trust me.
Honestly, I wish more folks would just use drain screens. Would save everyone a lot of hassle.
Drain screens are the unsung heroes, honestly. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve fished out a hairball the size of a small rodent from a tub drain—gloves are non-negotiable at this point. I do think enzyme cleaners have their place, but yeah, they’re not miracle workers. Had one tenant who swore by pouring cola down the drain... didn’t help the clog, but it did make the whole kitchen smell like a soda fountain for a week.
The metal snakes are lifesavers for kitchen sinks, no question. I tried using one of those plastic ones once and it just curled up like a spaghetti noodle. If only people realized how much grief a $2 drain screen could save them (and me). Maybe I should start handing them out as housewarming gifts...
