Blocked sink outflow

[Sarahr]

The sink in the bathroom on the boat has blocked. We have one of the flexible wire thingys and have poked at the obstruction (we suspect it is a snail) from the inside and the outside and all we seem to achieve is to move whatever has crawled up the pipe one way or the other. Has anyone any useful tips or hints to cure the problem? We have tried pouring some bleach down the pipe we have also tried swearing a lot but so far no joy!

[bizzard]

The sink in the bathroom on the boat has blocked. We have one of the flexible wire thingys and have poked at the obstruction (we suspect it is a snail) from the inside and the outside and all we seem to achieve is to move whatever has crawled up the pipe one way or the other. Has anyone any useful tips or hints to cure the problem? We have tried pouring some bleach down the pipe we have also tried swearing a lot but so far no joy!

You could coax it out with a bit of lettuce or a sultana on a string.

[Sea Dog]

Or maybe get a lady snail and coax it out with that. If you don't know how to identify a lady snail, just catch any particularly attractive one and pop a bit of lipstick on it.

[Delta9]

just catch any particularly attractive one and pop a bit of lipstick on it.

and possibly some snail varnish.

[nipper]

Or maybe get a lady snail and coax it out with that. If you don't know how to identify a lady snail, just catch any particularly attractive one and pop a bit of lipstick on it.

But the snail has no lips now that Sarah put bleach down the ole!

[Loafer]

How about a bottle of proprietary sink unblocker from Tesco? (Other supermarkets are available)

[magnetman]

WD40?

[Loafer]

WD40?

 

 

There's an idea. Maybe half a tin, then a lighted match, then quickly put the plug in. And stand on it.

 

No?

 

Don't try this at home, kids.

[bastion]

Block the the end of the outlet off with a bit of rag use a gentle drain cleaner for 10 mins or so then remove the rag and your problem should be solved

[Sarahr]

Or maybe get a lady snail and coax it out with that. If you don't know how to identify a lady snail, just catch any particularly attractive one and pop a bit of lipstick on it.

This will only work if the snail up the pipe is a boy.

[Loafer]

Awww spoilsport!

 

Block the the end of the outlet off with a bit of rag use a gentle drain cleaner for 10 mins or so then remove the rag and your problem should be solved

[magnetman]

WD40 as a lubricant then stick a vacuum cleaner on the outlet skin fitting to suck it out.

 

This will only work if the snail up the pipe is a boy.

or may work with a man or a gay woman

[rrt2]

If you have a snail or slug in there then block the outlet and fill up with a strong salt solution. The salt will dissolves the snail/slug and you can flush the remains out.

[Paul G2]

You need to either push it out or blow it out. So either get yourself a longer pusher - a piece of plastic tube a tad longer than the drain pipe would work - or stick a hose end in the drain hole in the sink and turn the water on.

 

Having been doused with bleach, I doubt whatever is in there is feeling very amorous at the moment.

Edited December 27, 2014 by Paul G2

[Naughty Cal]

Jet it from the outside or inside with a hose and decent water pressure and supply.

[magnetman]

A wire coathanger is a useful item

[tree monkey]

i find the bathroom outlet will block quite quickly and its due the the soap and toothpaste deposits, i find a kettle full of boiling water does the trick, if its really clogged pour vinegar down the plughole and leave overnight, then pour the boiling water down

[Sea Dog]

Pleased to see you're actually getting some sensible suggestions amongst the fun Sarah. Hope you get it cleared quickly, it must be a PITA.

[Loafer]

All threads should be like this one. Boaty, fun, and some workable answers thrown in.

 

Bravo

[bottle]

Dismantle the pipe work and replace with new.

[Alan Saunders]

The sink in the bathroom on the boat has blocked. We have one of the flexible wire thingys and have poked at the obstruction (we suspect it is a snail) from the inside and the outside and all we seem to achieve is to move whatever has crawled up the pipe one way or the other. Has anyone any useful tips or hints to cure the problem? We have tried pouring some bleach down the pipe we have also tried swearing a lot but so far no joy!

If the sink/washbasin has a trap (U-bend) poking a wire thingy may not work. If there is no trap, poking the wire thingy from the inside and jiggling it a bit you should see it emerging from the outlet if the obstruction is cleared.

 

My favourite tool for clearing a blockage (in house or boat) is a 'sink plunger', a large flexible cup on a stick, available from every old-fashioned hardware store (maybe plumber's merchants and DIY stores too). Fill the sink/basin with three inches of water (insert the plug if necessary), hot water is better, cover the (unplugged) outlet with the plunger and pump vigouressly, repeat as necessary, maybe as a maintenance task.

 

A combination of hair, especially long hair, with congealed detergent/soap/oils can produce a difficult to remove obstruction. Drain cleaner (caustic soda) may work but removing (put a bucket underneath) and cleaning the trap is a cheaper and longer lasting solution.

 

HTH, Alan

[MtB]

Just buy another boat.

 

Any boat with a blocked sink waste has had it. I'll give you a tenner for it.

 

MtB

[Tom Richmond]

Could try a wet and dry vac on blow?

 

Be careful with bleach unless you know what all of the parts are made of, it can corrode plastic or rubber seals and components.

[b0atman]

push length of hose through skin fitting and suck

[Peter Reed]

push length of hose through skin fitting and suck

Pour a cupfull of hof garlic butter down the plug ole should make make this a more palatable experience.