Anyone use Green Gobbler for slow drains?

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Rrty

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Jun 4, 2007
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I have a drain that is constantly slow. Using the plunger helps, but nothing else I do prevents a backup from reoccurring at some point, usually sooner rather than later.

I have called my plumber to clear it out, and this is a mystery to me -- seriously, I am not kidding about this. He clears it out in what amounts to two seconds, and he has used a variety of methods -- can of air, plunger, snake. It's almost as if he uses a different method to relieve the boredom. In fact, one day he got some sort of can-of-air thing and stated, "Haven't used my toy yet, let me give this a go." And the drain is fast for quite a while after that.

Sometimes I can get the drain going, but it usually lasts only days (if that). Funny thing is, though, going back to the plumber, I have done everything he does, can of air, etc., and it never works for me! For instance, he showed me how to plunge the drain properly (plug up these holes on the side first) so that he wouldn't need to come down (I think he gets so much business my couple hundred means nothing, it's actually a hassle for him to take a couple hundred for me for a transaction that takes less than five minutes).

Lately, nothing is working. Vinegar/baking soda, so forth. So, this brings me to that Green Gobbler thing that has been advertised. I was going to give that a go and wonder if others have used it, or know someone who has. Here's what I am worried about.

Some reviews say there is a terrible smell to it and that it lingers. I wanted to know if anyone else experienced that. If so, how long did it last? And did your drain clear?

A shot in the dark, I know, that anyone has used this product, but I thought I'd try and ask. Thanks.
 
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Walter Oobleck

Walter Oobleck

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Never used it so I don't know. What kind of pipes do you have? Are they older cast iron pipes? PVC/ABS, plastic? I've used the Crystal Heat, powder or crystals...and the stuff in the black container, a liquid. If you use either, followed the instructions provided. The crystal heat will release fumes up through the drain, more so depending on the blockage and will also create heat...a lot of heat...enough that in one instance where I was trying to clear a drain where I suspect someone had poured...something...dirt, sand, grease into the drain--the house was a fore-closure and they also pulled some electrical fuses that necessitated a new power panel and breakers...in that instance, the drain was so plugged that it almost melted the plastic pipe...I had the vanity pulled out with nothing but the P-trap left and was pouring the product directly into the elbow. The elbow stack began to tilt, the plastic softening from the heat. In the end I had to cut out and discard a large section of pipe in the basement...completely plugged...but what you describe, if you are confident with the product you have found, use that. The black container above would be the next step...and the stuff in the white above if the black don't work...and if that doesn't work...sounds like you might need to replace some pipe.

Too...you could cut into the pipe in the basement or crawlspace...is this a home? Or a large building? If you can access the pipe you might be able to cut into the line to access it and either use some of these products or some other device to ream out the pipe flushing with water as you go.

You might also try you local hardware store and ask them for advice...usually a local hardware has people working who know. Sounds like your plumber is eating well.
 
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fljoe0

fljoe0

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Something is wrong with your plumbing. Your drains should not clog that often. Maybe there are roots causing the problem.

I have used a water jet device that works good. I can't remember what it was called but you hook up a hose to it and insert it into the drain. When you turn the water on, it expands in the drain and shoots water down the drain. No chemicals, or smell with this device. You can probably pick this up at Home Depot or Lowes.
 
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Rrty

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Walter, thank you for that lengthy reply and the products. I am going to research them this evening. I believe I have PVC pipes in the bathroom sink. It was replaced a few years ago because the old ones corroded, so I assume it would be the PVC. It is a home. I could perhaps tell my plumber about cutting into the pipe to figure this out. Perhaps these products will work. I like the idea of the liquid thing, considering it could be build-up. Some great ideas there.

Fljoe, I agree, there's got to be something at issue here. I'm assuming no roots because the backup happens quickly, however it has to be something equivalent to a root. I often thought something is down there in the wall that gets pushed aside sometimes then causes a semi-clog of the aperture. I'll check out the water device as well, never heard of that before, sounds like something that could help.

Thanks for the tips.
 
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blunthead

blunthead

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Aug 2, 2006
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Rrty said:
Walter, thank you for that lengthy reply and the products. I am going to research them this evening. I believe I have PVC pipes in the bathroom sink. It was replaced a few years ago because the old ones corroded, so I assume it would be the PVC. It is a home. I could perhaps tell my plumber about cutting into the pipe to figure this out. Perhaps these products will work. I like the idea of the liquid thing, considering it could be build-up. Some great ideas there.

Fljoe, I agree, there's got to be something at issue here. I'm assuming no roots because the backup happens quickly, however it has to be something equivalent to a root. I often thought something is down there in the wall that gets pushed aside sometimes then causes a semi-clog of the aperture. I'll check out the water device as well, never heard of that before, sounds like something that could help.

Thanks for the tips.
Click to expand...
This kind of thing interests me. Please keep us posted as to what you find the problem to be.
 
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Walter Oobleck

Walter Oobleck

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Another thing that could be done...either by your or your plumber...is to install a clean-out in the line. You didn't say what is below...basement, crawlspace...or is the plumbing all hidden in a floating slab of concrete. When I worked in Florida, because of the water table, houses were built on floating slabs of concrete, no basement, the plumbing was installed in the sand base before concrete was poured. If that is the case, I'd use the crystal stuff...repeatedly...flushing with water.

But if the pipes are in a basement or crawlspace you could install a clean-out...a section of pipe is removed, a "Y" is installed in the line, reconnecting the pipe where it'd been cut...and the other arm of the Y providing a place where drain cleaner or a tool could be inserted to open clogged pipes. A couple pieces can be added to install a screw-out cover in this section of the Y. Could be, too, that there is not much..."angle" in the sewer lines...they might drain...but are slow to flow allowing things to settle in the pipe and this settling over time builds up to where the flow is even slower or not at all when the sink holds water though no plug or drain lever is doing it.

Based on your description of what is happening, your pipes probably look like the clogged pipe in the pipe portrayed in the white container of Enforcer Build-up Remover. If they replaced pipe that was corroded, you have older plumbing in your home. PVC pipe is white...ABS is black...both plastic. It is relatively easy to remove the elbows/gaskets and drain cleaner can be poured right into the stub of pipe that is left...unless it happens to go into the wall instead of into the floor.
 
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DiO'Bolic

DiO'Bolic

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I have 3 females in the house… all with long hair. I battle clogged drains constantly. Most often taking out the drain stopper and using a home made tool out of a clothes hanger to remove the hair and gunk does the trick. The shower drains can be particularly difficult at times. If all else fails I utilize a product that unclogs hair and doesn’t hurt septic systems.

Never tried the Green Gobbler. But some of the nasty stuff that gets in the drain requires some physical work, and I don’t see chemicals doing the trick.
 
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no bounce no play

no bounce no play

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I'm afraid to use chemicals in drains for fear it will hurt the plumbing. Since your drains only work for a short time after being snaked, it sounds like your plumber is merely poking a hole through the grunge rather than removing it all. The plumber should be able to give you a pretty good idea as to where the obstruction is (where the snake hits it) which might help you decide what to do. Some plumbers have small cameras they can insert into the line to determine if tree roots are the problem.

I've used this cheap As Seen On TV drain snake on bathroom sink drains to remove hair. It works surprisingly well :)
image.jpg
 
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shookme

shookme

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DiO'Bolic said:
I have 3 females in the house… all with long hair. I battle clogged drains constantly. Most often taking out the drain stopper and using a home made tool out of a clothes hanger to remove the hair and gunk does the trick. The shower drains can be particularly difficult at times. If all else fails I utilize a product that unclogs hair and doesn’t hurt septic systems.

Never tried the Green Gobbler. But some of the nasty stuff that gets in the drain requires some physical work, and I don’t see chemicals doing the trick.
Click to expand...
A Shop-vac makeshifted to the drain with some duct tape for a seal works well for clogs too.
 
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R

Rrty

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Just to update, I am still researching the products (I will check out that snake thing nobounce, thanks for that) but more importantly I first have to get the stopper out. I think that is screwed in somehow. I'll have someone I know take that out so I can actually access the drain properly (before I was throwing baking soda down the side of the stopper and using vinegar, but that doesn't really work).

Thanks again for all the help.
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

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Rrty said:
Just to update, I am still researching the products (I will check out that snake thing nobounce, thanks for that) but more importantly I first have to get the stopper out. I think that is screwed in somehow. I'll have someone I know take that out so I can actually access the drain properly (before I was throwing baking soda down the side of the stopper and using vinegar, but that doesn't really work).

Thanks again for all the help.
Click to expand...
Check out Youtubes for your problem. I learn everything by generous people showing me how to do things.
 
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