Bleach and waste pipe cleaner

[sparkwright]

Trying to help a friend.

Her bathroom basin waste pipe is blocked. If you fill the basin with water, it takes about 3 hours for it to drain.

Have removed u bend, that is clear. The blockage is further down. Pipework back together again.

Since that, she has decided to leave bleach on the basin, to clean the basin!

Apparently she does this occasionally.

But now I want to use some HG drain and waste pipe cleaner (from B&Q).

Very worried about using this in case I cause a chemical reaction, particularly as I can't pour much water down the waste pipe at a time.

How much water do I need to pour down first.

She says not much bleach was used, just to cover the basin, but I don't want to take any chances.

The walk-in shower is connected to the waste pipe as well I think.

I believe all pipework is plastic, built in the 1980s.

 

[Wayners]

I drag hosepipe in our house to clear waste ( shower above bath) and shout "turn it on" the strong flow pushes water through plug clearing it for 6+ months. Need to do it again.
My problem is a lack of fall in waste pipe.

Re cleaner.
Sometimes that's the only way to clear crud. Just follow the guide.

Other way is to rod the pipes

 

[Madrab]

Since that, she has decided to leave bleach on the basin, to clean the basin!

That will eventually eat the chrome waste, not a good idea

But now I want to use some HG drain and waste pipe cleaner

Chemicals should be an absolute last resort - always try mechanical means first.
A pump/power plunger or a snake are best to try first.

 

[RandomGrinch]

As above, I would first have a go with a power plunger, some water in the sink should help dilute the bleach, but safety glasses would be a must.
Also, temporarily block up the basin overflow, and the shower drain, so the plunging goes to the right place!

 

[sparkwright]

In the end, I stayed overnight. Filled the basin up every 3 hours with water, just to try a dilute any traces of the bleach as best I could.

Then used the HG drain and plug-hole cleaner, with some water afterwards, really just to minimise any possible damage to the chrome plug hole.
(I did try to use a funnel, didn't work out).

I left it 3 hours as we went for a nice breakfast.

Got back, no visible liquid to be seen. Put some water in, didn't seem to run away.

Put a bit more HG in. Don't think I needed to, that just rapidly sunk away.

Put more water in, that rapidly went away, then poured loads of water down to flush out, no problem.

All these years - and as you can probably tell, this is my first ever blocked sink!

 

[HERTS P&D]

Wet vac, cleared in seconds.

Andy