Ooops... I have black stains in my sink!!

[270person]

Originally Posted by Father of five

Plug the sink, Fill the sink with boiling water, add to the boiling water 5 dishwasher detergent tabs (the ones with the dry powder contained in the desolving pack) , stir with a wooden spoon every 5 minuets for the first 15 minuets the let sit for 45 minuets, put on a rubber glove and drain the sink, rinse the sink with hot tap water , the stain should be gone

Which it won't be BUT if you insist on wasting 5 dishwasher detergent tabs and a sinkful of hot water then fill your boots.

[chain2]

Just Leave that gurgling black ooze in the drain alone...saw it on X files...didn’t turn out to well.

[molly]

Originally Posted by Nova

Post a picture of the plumbing under the sink. If it really is an issue with the way it was done, it might be all of a $10 fix. Less than what the drain cleaner is costing you.

We actually had someone come out to auger the drain a few years ago, and we have done it a few times also. The plumber who did this house put a very shallow grade on all the drain pipes and we think this is a big part of the issue. Mr. Boss is not the kind of guy who would want to spend any more money on things and we are not paid to be his plumbers, so we just put up with it! We told him about our laundry sink not ever draining properly, and it cannot be snaked because the elbows are all wonky! He thought he would fix it himself but never did. The plumbing company who did this house is out of business now, apparently!

Originally Posted by chain2

Just Leave that gurgling black ooze in the drain alone...saw it on X files...didn’t turn out to well.

Holy crap!!! Thanks for reminding me!!!!

The Truth Is Out There....

[molly]

I called GM Mechanical in High River, who we now use out here for any Serious Plumbing and Heating. His best suggestion was to get some fine steel wool and work away at it, and as it is an older sink, it may hopefully do the job.

And BTW, the Heavy Duty drain cleaner we bought from them before is called Strike, and is supposedly safe for septic systems but we only used it occasionally anyway. CaberTosser, I know chemicals are less than ideal, but we really try and limit their use.... The Hublet had to toss a shirt and some jeans when he tried to fix the laundry sink and there was still drain cleaner in there as we couldn't flush it all out.

Silverdoctor, the pipe is made of black plastic stuff....

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

[silverdoctor]

Originally Posted by molly

Silverdoctor, the pipe is made of black plastic stuff....

Would be ABS. Take the trap off and inspect it for damage.

[270person]

Originally Posted by molly

And BTW, the Heavy Duty drain cleaner we bought from them before is called Strike

High sulphuric acid content drain cleaner as I suspected. Heres a link to the msds which everyone should read before deploying "any" chemical products

http://www.chemfax.com/userfiles/doc...rsion%206..pdf

When the GHs version SDS come into force by law in June the hazards will look even worse. Not as deadly as hydrofluoric acid but it'll do a job on skin, eyes, and clothing.

Good thing you poured acid into water. Reverse the process and the results can be very bad. Great way to view an exothermic reaction tho.

[molly]

Originally Posted by 270person

High sulphuric acid content drain cleaner as I suspected. Heres a link to the msds which everyone should read before deploying "any" chemical products

http://www.chemfax.com/userfiles/doc...rsion%206..pdf

When the GHs version SDS come into force by law in June the hazards will look even worse. Not as deadly as hydrofluoric acid but it'll do a job on skin, eyes, and clothing.

Good thing you poured acid into water. Reverse the process and the results can be very bad. Great way to view an exothermic reaction tho.

Thanks for the info, 270. It is amazing how the order of mixing can have such a drastic difference! Maybe we won't buy any more of it after all.... Is there a less "evil" substance that could be used instead? You know, with little bunnies and flowers on the label??

[270person]

Originally Posted by molly

Thanks for the info, 270. It is amazing how the order of mixing can have such a drastic difference! Maybe we won't buy any more of it after all.... Is there a less "evil" substance that could be used instead? You know, with little bunnies and flowers on the label??

No bunnies or flowers but a high caustic drain cleaner is the other option. A little bit safer but caustics (lye), aren't all hugs, kisses, and baby farts either.

Not being a smart ass but making sure the stuff causing the problem doesn't go down the drain is important and you said you were being careful. If the plumbing is whacked there will always be issues. My brother has a million plus home in Heritage Point south of Calgary. Constant reek coming from his kitchen drain because plumbers goof on million dollar homes too.