Can I Use a Drain Cleaner on My Bathroom Plumbing Drains?

Let's address some common questions about your bathroom plumbing. The fact is that you can handle many of your basic bathroom plumbing issues yourself. The first question is, how can I fix a slow-moving bathroom sink? There are a couple of answers to your question. First, you can use a quality branded drain cleaner like Draino and Liquid Plumbr. And no, these products will NOT harm your plumbing. However, they will harm you if it gets on your skin. So use your common sense and follow the directions. The gel cleaners are best for slow-moving drains.

These products are intended for something other than toilets or hard-to-reach clogs. If your drain cleaner does not work and you call Big B's Plumbing, inform your plumber that a drain cleaner was tried on the drain, and they will take the necessary precautions.  

Have Your Bathroom Drains Flowing Again

Second, 90% of slow-moving bathroom drains, including shower drains, are caused by biofilm. Biofilm is bacteria derived from bathroom products like shaving cream, soap, and hair gel. When mixed with phlegm and hair, it creates a bacteria, also known as black slime. The hair sticks to the drain pipe and builds up, causing slow-moving drains. The best way to get your drain moving again is to eliminate the black slime altogether.

First, remove the stopper from the sink. If you don't know how to remove a sink stopper, click here to watch the video. Once the stopper is removed, fish out the hairball from the drain using a metal wire or coat hanger. The hairball is usually toward the top of the drainpipe if not connected to the stopper itself. Clean the drain pipe using a small brush or toothbrush and detergent. Lastly, pour a kettle of hot water down the drain.     

How Do I Replace a Worn-out Flapper in my Toilet Tank?

Replacing a worn-out flapper in your toilet tank is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

The first step is to locate the shut-off valve behind the toilet, usually near the floor. Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water supply.

1. Next, remove the lid from the toilet tank and set it aside. Flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank. You may need to hold the flush lever down to allow as much water as possible to exit the tank. Then, use a towel or sponge to soak up any remaining water in the tank.
2. Disconnect the chain from the toilet flapper, and then detach the sides of the flapper from the overflow tube. The flapper is attached by two ears or loops that slide over pegs on the overflow tube.
3. Wipe around the opening at the bottom of the tank where the flapper seals to confirm it's clean and free of debris. This helps create a good seal for the new flapper.
4. Take the old flapper to your local home center and match it to the new one. Attach the sides of the new flapper to the overflow tube pegs in the same manner as the old one.
5. Connect the chain from the new flapper to the flush lever arm. Make sure the chain has a slight slack, but not too much, to allow the flapper to open and close properly without getting caught.
6. Turn the shut-off valve counterclockwise to restore the tank's water supply. Allow the tank to fill with water.
7. Turn the shut-off valve counterclockwise to restore the water supply to the tank and allow the tank to fill with water. Flush the toilet a few times to ensure the new flapper works correctly and creates a proper seal. Adjust the chain if necessary to ensure proper functioning.
8. Replace the tank lid once you are satisfied that the new flapper works correctly.

By following these steps, you should be able to replace the worn-out flapper in your toilet tank and restore its proper function.