Nataly 38 #1 March 15, 2011 So I noticed about 2 weeks ago that the kitchen sink was clogging up and I told the flatmate about it. I went away and when I came back, it was still clogged, but worse. I said I could remove and clean the trap, but that since I did that a few weeks ago I reckoned the problem was further along the pipes. I also said I thought it would be a good idea to get someone to look at it, since the problem has persisted for a while. He instead brought home some chemical stuff... I told him "doesn't sulphuric acid corrode and cause fumes and/or explosions if used incorrectly??" And he said no, this is what some dude he met told him to use. Well, long story short, we have now had 2 minor "explosions" and we have burst pipes and a sink that is in pieces. Nicely done. Apparently the same dude who told him to use the chemical stuff is coming tomorrow FOR FREE to check out our sink. I *have* mentioned that I don't really see the wisdom in that, but the flatmate seems to know best..."There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #2 March 15, 2011 For future reference, buy a plumber's snake: http://hendersonnevadaplumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/plumber_snake.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayneflorida 0 #3 March 15, 2011 Busted pipes and sink. I would think this would be a major plumbing problem. You know how to take the trap apart and clean it. I'm impressed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #4 March 15, 2011 Quote Busted pipes and sink. I would think this would be a major plumbing problem. You know how to take the trap apart and clean it. I'm impressed. You shouldn't be - I used to fix helicopters!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #5 March 15, 2011 QuoteFor future reference, buy a plumber's snake A simple commode plunger will usually clear that problem, by forcing high pressure water through the pipe to clear the blockage. Nataly: It sounds like you need to take charge of maintenance, and do what's necessary before he gets his hands on the situation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #6 March 15, 2011 by chance right before he pored the stuff down the sink did he say the famous last words.... "Watch this!" ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #7 March 16, 2011 Quote Quote For future reference, buy a plumber's snake A simple commode plunger will usually clear that problem, by forcing high pressure water through the pipe to clear the blockage. Nataly: It sounds like you need to take charge of maintenance, and do what's necessary before he gets his hands on the situation. I have a plumber's snake and a plunger and as I said, I cleaned/cleared the pipes a couple of weeks ago, which is why I suggested he call in a plumber to have a better look. Anyhoo, there is no water leaking anywhere so it's really mostly funny. And there is no way in hell I am taking over any kind of big maintenance - not only is it not my responsibility but I'm not putting myself in a position where he could blame me for any kind of problems. Surprisingly, after the first explosion he actually tried to argue that maybe it happened because I hadn't tightened the pipes back up enough when I "fiddled with them" 2 weeks ago.. No more - he can deal with everything himself and pay for it himself if/when it goes wrong."There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #8 March 16, 2011 Quote by chance right before he pored the stuff down the sink did he say the famous last words.... "Watch this!" and preceded by the words, "Hold my beer . . . "! Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #9 March 16, 2011 My kitchen sink clogs every couple of years and I have to have it snaked to get it cleared. Turns out that when the house was built they put a sharp right angle in the pipe as it passed from under the sink and through the wall. The plumber was amazed that the designer did this, but there it is. :^( Maybe your under sink pipe has the same problem? Not just the trap. Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #10 March 16, 2011 people, remember, she is in France, the land of the 70%... 70% is the easy part to have something functional. the 30% left is the difficult part to make things perfect. The French don't bother about the last 30%, because they don't feel that "difficult" is worth it.scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #11 March 16, 2011 Enzyme cleaner is all you needed. Use that once in a while as well, it hurts nothing and in the end will clean the pipes and start cleaning the sewers. Even the sewer rats will have a nicer home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #12 March 16, 2011 Well, thanks for all the plumbing advice, but I'm not doing anything more. This is not the first time he has reacted to my help by trying to blame me for his fuck-up... It's clearly not in my interest to get involved."There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoobrothertom 5 #13 March 16, 2011 Quote Quote Busted pipes and sink. I would think this would be a major plumbing problem. You know how to take the trap apart and clean it. I'm impressed. You shouldn't be - I used to fix helicopters!!! ------------------------------------------------------------ You got it Nataly! If you can fix choppers, you can fix just about anything in a house. ZooBrotherTom - former AH-1S Cobra TI____________________________________ I'm back in the USA!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #14 March 16, 2011 Tell him the pipes are clogging from all that dog hair. "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Niki1 1 #15 March 16, 2011 Quote Quote Quote Busted pipes and sink. I would think this would be a major plumbing problem. You know how to take the trap apart and clean it. I'm impressed. You shouldn't be - I used to fix helicopters!!! ------------------------------------------------------------ You got it Nataly! If you can fix choppers, you can fix just about anything in a house. ZooBrotherTom - former AH-1S Cobra TI Where is the sink in a helecopter? Nataly doesn't need a plumber, she needs a new flat mate.Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossilbe before they were done. Louis D Brandeis Where are we going and why are we in this basket? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #16 March 16, 2011 Quote Tell him the pipes are clogging from all that dog hair. Perfect.Hey Nat, most peeps use Sodium Hydroxide, lye, a strong alkali, to unclog drains. Sufuric acid is a strong acid, of course, the other end of the Ph scale. Don't know what that guy was thinking. Now, if you're both renting the place, couldn't you just call the landlord about a minor clog before blowing up the place? I prefer my tenants to do that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herky 0 #17 March 16, 2011 QuoteHe instead brought home some chemical stuff... I told him "doesn't sulfuric acid corrode and cause fumes and/or explosions if used incorrectly??" And he said no, this is what some dude he met told him to use. Where my friend works they use sulfuric acid to unplug the drains. But only if after sticking a high pressure high temperature steam hose in as far as they can and letting it sit does nothing. It literally eats away the cast iron drain covers. Unless you had pvc pipes, your pipes are definitely going to have major corrosion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #18 March 16, 2011 Quote Now, if you're both renting the place, couldn't you just call the landlord about a minor clog before blowing up the place? I prefer my tenants to do that. I suggested this as well... (*Before* he used the chemical stuff, but he went right on ahead and poured the stuff in...) On the plus side, he has now contacted the owner and building maintenance and a real plumber. I think he has perhaps finally realised he is not the best person to do DIY... ETA - Not sure but I think internal plumbing falls under the tenant's responsibility over here... In any case, the main thing is he seems to be dealing with it properly now."There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #19 March 16, 2011 Quote You know how to take the trap apart and clean it. I'm impressed. I was going to ask what you were doing out of the kitch... oh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoobrothertom 5 #20 March 19, 2011 How's his EGO doing? ____________________________________ I'm back in the USA!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
