Drain Cleaner

[svReboot]

I usually use vinegar to keep my sink drains clear. I need something stronger. Suggestions?

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by svReboot

I usually use vinegar to keep my sink drains clear. I need something stronger. Suggestions?

Caustic Soda -- (Sodium Hydroxide) --- Do not mix with an acid.

or safer, and takes longer = An Enzymatic drain cleaner

[delatbabel]

Depends on what you mean by "stronger".

A strong alkali such as caustic soda will clear away any organic blockages but won't have any effect on calcification, lime buildup, rust, etc. For that you need an acid.

Strong acids are very damaging to rubber, so you can kiss your valve seals goodbye.

Phosphoric acid is one of the best cleaners for ferric (rust) blockages and isn't as badly damaging to rubber as hydrochloric acid is, however it doesn't clean calcium scale.

If you have heavy calcium scale buildup in a rubberised hose you may want to consider manual methods -- take the hose out, whack it around a bit, or chip away at the insides with a metal scourer. Or just replacing the hose which may be less work.

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by delatbabel

Depends on what you mean by "stronger".

A strong alkali such as caustic soda will clear away any organic blockages but won't have any effect on calcification, lime buildup, rust, etc. For that you need an acid.

Strong acids are very damaging to rubber, so you can kiss your valve seals goodbye.

Phosphoric acid is one of the best cleaners for ferric (rust) blockages and isn't as badly damaging to rubber as hydrochloric acid is, however it doesn't clean calcium scale.

If you have heavy calcium scale buildup in a rubberised hose you may want to consider manual methods -- take the hose out, whack it around a bit, or chip away at the insides with a metal scourer. Or just replacing the hose which may be less work.

We just replace hoses when there's scale buildup. We've also used a small plumbers "snake" (cheap from Harbor Freight) to clear organic matter from a sink drain. On things that discharge via thru hulls--when you haul out it's a good idea to either replace the hoses or at a minimum, take them off the thru hulls and make sure they're whistle clean and working as you like.

[svReboot]

Thanks all

[wilsonsdarrek]

Drains Often Plug and need Washing Drain techniques perform very well until an occasion comes when they plug. A blocked line could be a slight issue if it was just a hardly ever used mess up. It could be a significant issue if a main line gets blocked.

[Auzzee]

What we need to invent, is a through hull which allows for the feeder hose to attach to the inside of the fitting without any constriction. This means there would be no narrowing of the diameter. Ergo, if it goes through the plug'ole, it must go through the hull fitting.

Sometimes I amaze myself!

I'm going to have a bit of a think about this.

[david perkins]

Go to your local store and purchase a drain cleaner solution for any clogs in your drains that you cannot get out with a plunger.Follow all directions carefully to clean the drain properly. Keep in mind, however, that repeated use of chemical drain cleaner solutions can damage your plumbing over time.

[haiqu]

Chemical drain cleaners are not suitable on a yacht, it's toxic to fish.

[david perkins]

Yeah chemicals drain cleaners are not suitable on a yacht. These should be used for home related drains as far as i am concerned.

[Auzzee]

Originally Posted by david perkins

Go to your local store and purchase a drain cleaning solution for any clogs in your drains that you cannot get out with a plunger.Follow all directions carefully to clean the drain properly. Keep in mind, however, that repeated use of chemical drain cleaner solutions can damage your plumbing over time.

The regimen for cleaning drains in a domestic, land based situation, is generally fully unworkable on a boat. The legislation covering the fittings and their use, the different materials in use, and the manner of disposal of chemicals and waste on a boat is a world away from the sort of solutions which land based contractors would face on a regular basis.

Marine drains, plumbing and sanitation is a specialist field and following the sort of information which includes 'go to the store and purchase drain cleaner' is not the sort of advice most prudent mariners would heed. The use of a plunger where 'y' valves, holding tanks, deck level pump out ports, siphon breaks, and switchable manifolds are involved is equally, not a practice cloaked in wisdom.

When faced with clogged drains most boat owners will have a practiced and suitable routine for clearance. The advice I proffer to those who do not have such a routine, is to speak with your local chandler who can then recommend a licensed plumber with practical experience of dealing with marine plumbing systems.

[roxanwright]

I mix vinegar and baking soda when cleaning the drain. I do it on a regular basis to avoid experiencing worse problems in the future. So far, it works. I avoid the use of chemicals drain cleaners too.

[acumen drain]

Same here ! I also use vinegar to clean my drains. If some how it may happen that the pipes are blocked or clogged then i recommend using a rooter service with the clogged pipes.

[Auzzee]

Apparently, there is a very healthy drain cleaning industry in Annapolis.

[delatbabel]

If their primary drain cleaning method in Annapolis is vinegar then I'm not surprised.

[markwesti]

Here is what worked for me , my sink had a fixed strainer . I filed it off so now there is this hole that I can get a bottle scrubber all the way to the thru hull . I put the scrubber in almost all the way down , then squirt in some dish soap , and scrub away. To make up for the loss of the fixed strainer , I got a removable one (house hold type ). Try it you'll like it .

[Auzzee]

Good tip. Thanks and welcome to the forum.