Standing water in Tub

[garry26]

The water water backs up into the bathtub when I use my kitchen sink & doesn't go down. The plunger didn't work this time.

Hardware store #1 said Hercules Clobber would take care of it. I could empty the 1 pint bottle in the tub even with standing water. They said the solution was heavier than water and would find its way to the drain. I removed most of the water anyway, leaving about 2gals and emptied a pint of Clobber in the tub.

After a day it didn't work, and a bit more water backed up from the sink whenever we didn't catc the water in a huge pot. So I went to another hardware store.

Hardware store #2 also raved about Clobber, but said 1 pint was not enough for tough jobs. They said to pour a half gallon directly into the drain and let it stand. It would be slow, but it would work. He said the same thing as Hardware store #1 about the standing water.

Regardless, I removed all the water, and even used a sponge mop to get what I couldn't bucket out. There was still Clogger 'n water in the drain opening though because the drain is completely backed up.

I poured the half gallon of Clobber directly into the drain. It got pretty hot and it stunk to high heaven. A good bit of it came out of the backed up drain and pooled around the drain area. It bubbled somewhat.

It's now nearly 24hrs later...
The pure solution of Clobber that was pooled around the drain receded over 3 inches. It also bubbles (gurgles) every 5mins. It's still there though....

1-Is it working slowly as I was told?
2-I'm catching all water in the sink to prevent it from backing into the tub & interfering with the process. Is this ok? Or can I use the sink normally?
3-What now?

 

[jigs-n-fixtures]

The bubbling is the acid reacting with something, and it my eventually clear it.

Or it may just be reacting with whatever is backed up in font of your real culprit. Frequently things get into the line that don't break down, and they get other things backed up behind them. Using an acid eats out the things backed up behind the real clog and the line does drain again for a while. But, eventually things build up again and the flow slows down until it stops. That is why plumbers snake clogged drain lines.


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[johnjh2o]

Depending on what your tub is made of allowing the clobber to stand in the tub may have left permanent stain in it.

 

[garry26]

The bubbling is the acid reacting with something, and it my eventually clear it.

Will extra water backing into the tub from the kitchen sink affect the acid/Clobber? Will it dilute it? Make it less effective?

Im catching all my water in a large pot on the sink, but last night a little got through

Edit: UPDATE:
As of now the Clobber is gone down the drain. There is no standing water or Clobber. I can see down the shower drain guard, but I swear I heard a gurgling sound. It sounded like it came from inside the pipe.

What now? It sounds like there's still Clobber "in" the pipe. Do I open the hot water as advised by the hardware folks or wait?

 

[garry26]

Tonight I used the kitchen sink and let the water go down the drain as I normally would. After the clobber went down the drain earlier today, I thought it had unclogged the drain. Unfortunately, the water backed up into the tub again.

 

[garry26]

Please read the 2 posts above. this is a continuation.

I have just checked again and the tub has drained yet again. However, there are white chips in the drain hole. I'm assuming its the tub pain (or whatever) because the Clobber is so strong? I believe the tub is porcelain capped or something.

 

[alefromitaly]

I think that the cause is because this product is an acid, maybe soda for 90%..if I can, the next time, don't put this product, but before, you try remove the pipe that go from tub to wall and clean this.. Because when the water don't go out from tub, it's too much late and is possible that this product don't work correctly .. Instead if you have a possibility you can contact a plumber for clean your pipe with a water high pressure machine. For last, don't use an acid if you have a lead pipe. Is most dangerous, and exist a crack possibility. I hope you understand.. Sorry for my english

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[garry26]

The tub enamel flaked out completely around the drain and a good 1 foot past it. I brushed out all the dry flakes with a light brush and put the drain guard on. Then I used bathroom cleaner and ran the water. The tub got about 50% clean, but it flaked even more.

The drain guard keeps the flakes out of the pipe, but is slowing the flow further. Periodically, I cover the drain and removing the flakes out of the drain guard.

Will this flaking continue?

 

[havasu]

I'm going to guess that until you quit using that caustic material and get your drain snaked properly, you will be burping up all kinds of crap.

 

[garry26]

Well, I havent used anymore Clobber I am now in the cleaning stage. Non abrasive bathroom cleaner sold to clean tubs, bathrooms etc. It's not what caused the flaking.

This is fallout from the Clobber. Basically, the enamel is flaking cus of it. What I want to know is when will it stop? So I can use my tub. I'd hate to start using the tub and have pick flakes off my feet as the hot water flakes out more enamal

 

[Zanne]

garry26, I'm very sorry to hear about this disaster with your tub. Shame on those hardware stores for just pushing a product on you instead of giving you better advice. If you spend much time around here, they often recommend NOT using the drain cleaning solutions because:
1. They often do not work
2. They can damage the pipes/tubs/etc
3. They can give the plumbers chemical burns when they go to fix the problem

If I were you, I would let the hardware store employees who advised you know what happened and that you are not pleased. I also would not patronize their stores for further parts (unless you don't have other options). I don't know if using an alkaline like baking soda would help to neutralize or do any good at this point... But you definitely do not want to put more acid in there.

I may not be a plumber, but I've learned that attempting to dislodge the clog with a plumbing snake is a better solution to try before resorting to other methods. Since you poured so much acid down, I recommend wearing protective gloves (preferably ones that won't be eaten through by acid) and snake the drain from the tub. If that doesn't work, find out if your house has a cleanout drain that you can snake. If you can't snake it (or don't want to), call a plumber for the job-- but please tell the plumber about the chemical you poured down the drain and how much you poured down so they will know to be careful.

As for your tub, it seems like you may have to buy a new one or have your current one refinished (once the flaking stopped).

There's no telling how long the flaking will continue. I'm no expert, but from that description I think the tub is ruined. :-(

I wonder if the instructions on the bottle said to use it with water to dilute it or if it said it could be used at full undiluted strength..

I just looked it up and its supposed to be "for professional use" only.. Nasty stuff. Very dangerous.

I was going to link to the thread I found here about it, but I see you've already found it.
I'm sorry you didn't have this information sooner. My condolences on your tub. I hope your pipes are ok.

 

[garry26]

Thank you Zanne.
I was supposed to use the solution at full strength.

What is this you mentioned about baking soda and neutralizing?

 

[alefromitaly]

Oh my gosh.. What mess.. For experience, you don't use acid.. Never.. When the water don't goes, it's too late.. And remember.. The water don't drain.. But you don't know the cause.. Maybe there are some detritus.. Or other.. For your tub, you can search in internet a product for repair.. There are some paints for repair.. Buy a good product if you decide to do in this way..good luck

 

[Zanne]

Thank you Zanne.
I was supposed to use the solution at full strength.

What is this you mentioned about baking soda and neutralizing?

Baking soda is an alkaline (aka a base). It is the opposite of acid on the PH scale. Acids and alkalines can sort of cancel each other out. Milk, salt, and baking soda are examples of alkalines. Lemon juice, vinegar, and the stuff you used are all acids. I think that the PH level of the base would have to be pretty strong to counterbalance the acid (but I'm not sure-- I haven't had chemistry class in over 20 years). Unfortunately, I think it is too late to reverse any damage. I'm not sure if pouring an alkaline down would do any good now. At this point I hope it wouldn't hurt anything to pour an alkaline down though. But make sure the clog is dislodged.

I think Caduceus knows more about the PH balancing and such.

I'm not a violent person, but I have the urge to find the people at the hardware stores that gave you such bad advice and club them with a castiron pipe.

I hope that alefromitaly is right and that there is some way to repair the tub. At this point, I think you might need to have a tub expert come in and look at it to see if it can be salvaged. I was going to suggest cleaning it more, but it might just be like pulling a thread on a knit sweater and just make it worse. I don't know if a temporary coat of polyurethane would help..

Maybe if you put a little haircatcher in the drain that will keep the particles from going down and you put a rubber shower mat over the porcelain, you can use the shower without having to worry about flakes sticking to your feet?

 

[MasterDan]

You should have Rodded through the kitchen first. You would have solved the problem with no damage.


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[MasterDan]

This goes for everyone on this board. NEVER USE A CHEMICAL! Always send a cable in the line to clear a stoppage, or call a plumber.


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[Zanne]

This goes for everyone on this board. NEVER USE A CHEMICAL! Always send a cable in the line to clear a stoppage, or call a plumber.


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My sister looked at me like I was retarded when I told her we shouldn't use chemicals-- especially since we have a septic tank. She may be a genius and great with computers, but she knows next to nothing about plumbing. I'm no expert, but I am trying to learn more.

 

[alefromitaly]

Chemical is good only for seller..

 

[alefromitaly]

Between two hours I'll must go to wash a kitchen.. If I try, I'll post some photos..

 

[alefromitaly]

Sorry... Not was "if I'll try" but if I'll succeed.. :banghead: