Bathtub drain

[davidz71]

I have a rear bath '77 Excella that seems to have a slow drain. I'm thinking something down in the trap so what is the best way to check this. I have a rear compartment opening and see a trap from the sink but am not sure what the tub pvc does. Also, when the graywater tank is not completely full, the water really drains slowly. What do you think?

[John]

Craig,

I wonder if you have a blockage in your vent pipe?

This is only a guess!!!

John

[john hd]

craig

maybe one of those plastic drain clearing sticks would work, they are about 2 feet long and about 1/2 inch wide. they are barbed on the sides. being flexible they go around the trap.

the idea is that you snake it down the drain and the barbs snag the clog. then pull it out. i have seen them at home depot.

the other choice would be compressed air.

john

[53flyingcloud]

John,

You mention using;

the other choice would be compressed air.

I've never used this but, my first reaction is:
Blow back ~ Can you shed a previous experience in using this method or not??
BTW, I like your first recommandation, checking the vent pipe first.. ~
ciao

[john hd]

john soon to be leaving florida had the idea about the vent pipe.

my compressed air thought was more along the lines of a plunger or one of those drain clearing devices that come in a can.

one other thought, i have two of these pipe clearing units that screw on the end of a hose. they expand to fit the drain then use water pressure to clear the clog. they work well, but i have never used them on plastic pipe. just cast iron.

i would try the method that could cause the least amount of damage, then work up from there with caution!

john

[john hd]

craig,

this is the drain king i was referring to...

john

[davidz71]

I appreciate the input. I think I will try to locate one of the drain clearing sticks as recommended by johnhd and see what I turn up. I will also check the vent tube at the same time. It's a long pipe so could I use a snake or run a hosepipe down there? If this doesn't work then I will go with the drain king because I have seen them in the store. I imagine I will have to take it easy and have the greywater valve open so I do not cause pressure in the tank.

[John]

I've put the Drain King down my vent pipe at my house and it worked great. Of course it wasn't PVC tubing!

John

[davidz71]

It was 33 degrees last night before I went to bed and we had an unexpected sprinkling of snow before midnight. I will have to wait on any use of water at least until the end of March or first part of April.