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| Thread ID: 60296 | 2005-07-28 00:40:00 | Down and dirty in drains | Laura (43) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 376273 | 2005-07-28 02:40:00 | A couple of litres of Grandad's dodgy home brew gin.... followed by a match. If nothing else you'll get a new house. |
ninja (1671) | ||
| 376274 | 2005-07-28 02:49:00 | Thanks, everyone. Wow, loads of good advice there between the lot of you. I've established that the problem is mine alone, sadly.Neighbours are having no problems. My plunger is the small sink-size, so not an option today. In fact, all efforts will have to wait until tomorrow, as I can't go to town today to buy/hire & a neighbour who's away until tonight has borrowed my hoses. I'll try things in this order, I think: 1. Garden hose (Yes, Murray - will take it easy) 2. Drano (Thanks metla & beetle) 3. Draintape/rods from Hirequip. The bends will be a problem (Not sure about the Sbend.Is that between the loo & outside? If so, not relevant) Like Terry's, this section of drainpipe is missing today's inspection regulations - a cheapie I suspect - as it's a relaid job to go around an add-on room in the 20s/30s. (Will have words with my grandfather next time I'm at the cemetery) There's an inspection eye on another corner, but too far away to be any use. At least, I HOPE things aren't backed up that far... got me worried now. Looking for the gloves & crowbar... Hope I don't have to report back it's definitely a tradesman's job. Just refreshed the page- Winston: It's in Dunedin. The problem patch is further back than around the toilet. I've lifted the drain covering by the wall outside the house to establish that. |
Laura (43) | ||
| 376275 | 2005-07-28 02:59:00 | Get ye to a chemist (a NZ term I think) and purchase some copper sulphate . It is a blue-green non-caustic that kills the roots systemically . It is used here in the US to "bluestone" resevoirs for algae and weed control . It is not poisonous unless consummed by the spoonsfull . The US EPA will not allow poisonous chemicals into a potable water supply, and copper sulphate is used many times in the early summer to retard bloom in the resevoirs, even those that get no purification prior to consumption by humans . :thumbs: . Systemic poisons are not usually capable of crossing over to people from a plant . The copper sulphate will travel thru the water and kill the roots of the offending trees and bushes in the joints of the drainpipe(s) . Just flush some down the toilet (NZ version of that I am not sure) and pour some down the bathtub or sink too . It will not harm or destroy any enzymic or bacterial action for waste digestion either . Septic tanks will not lose their ability to eat waste . Municipal sewage treatment plants will not experience any untoward reactions to this treatment . In systems so affected by roots, I usually treat the pipes with about 2 to 3 lbs of Cu S daily for a few days and try to do it at night or the last thing you do before retiring . It lets the treatment sit in the pipe for a longer time that way . . The roots will eventually return, but you will get a reprieve for a few months . The Cu S will make you taste copper if you breathe the dust . . and keep it outta the eyes . . it will irritate them . . but not severly . The reason I suggest a chemist (here in the US, that is referring to a commercial chemical supplier) to buy the Cu S is that it is a lot cheaper that way, as one here can buy the same chemical in very small quantities for over $US 6 . 00 . That much money should get a person enough Cu S for a year's treatment . :nerd: |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 376276 | 2005-07-28 04:31:00 | Get ye to a chemist (a NZ term I think) and purchase some copper sulphate . It is a blue-green non-caustic that kills the roots systemically . It is used here in the US to "bluestone" resevoirs for algae and weed control . It is not poisonous unless consummed by the spoonsfull . Actually Joe, this puzzles me . I have a mate (friend) who lives in Indianna . He commented about all the ponds scattered throughout the suburbs . I thought, nice, and suggested these would have fish, ducks and wildlife . Also great for kids to have fun in . He gave a rueful grimace and explained that none of this applied . No wildlife at all . All the ponds were blue-green in colour and deliberately poisoned with CuSO4 . So here is a community amenity which would be protected and cared for in NZ, being made poisonous . Sounds weird from our side of the world . Go figure . :help: |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 376277 | 2005-07-28 04:41:00 | I shouldda said: "If used with some intelligence and discretion, this is not a harrmfull treatment . " Erring on the conservative side of this issue, I can indeed imagine some yo-yo putting a few hundred pounds of copper into a pond to totally kill every living thing in it under the guise of starting from scratch . This is not what I meant . The resevoirs here get a little ring around the shore that lasts for a few days, and although the fish get a little stressed if they are too near the area, there is no long-term killing effect . The ring is quickly lost and all goes back to well again, and the bloom or algae is gone till the next season . Some neer-do-well's try to remove all forms of life from a small pond or water impoundment by reason of insanity . . or they think they are doing the right thing in removing an infestation of snails or something else they don't like by practicing genocide on all the lower forms of life . Sorry to not include them in my assessment . . but they are fringe elements at best . |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 376278 | 2005-08-12 05:02:00 | So Laura - what became of the drain? We are anxiously awaiting an update. :thumbs: | Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 376279 | 2005-08-13 02:46:00 | Laura, Had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. Had the plumber out and he pushed a water blaster hose down to try and clear it. No luck. So he put a root cutter down, that cleared it but only for a couple of days. Called them back and they came and did the job again. Still haven't received a bill but they estimated $85.00 and the call back at no charge. And they have all the equipment and you don't have to get dirty yourself. There is a lot to be said for letting the experts do it especially when sewage is involved. |
theother1 (3573) | ||
| 376280 | 2005-08-13 05:01:00 | Be very careful using Caustic Soda especially in high concentrations. I remember as a kid dropping a few flakes of that on the floor and it pitted the Lino. Caustic Soda as mentioned clears fats. Some soap is a mixture of Fats and Caustic Soda. We don't want you to dissolve. |
Elephant (599) | ||
| 376281 | 2005-08-13 08:44:00 | Gentlemen: I'm ashamed to confess there's been no progress report because there's been no progress. Circumstances called me away suddenly & although I'm still in Dunedin (helping a friend), I'm not using the problem pipes just now. I know this is merely procrastination & I have to get into action at some stage, but meanwhile the house is empty & nothing's happening. (And I suspect I may decide to follow theother1's advice - especially if I could get it done for that price. I'd assumed it would cost more.) Either way, I will report back when the drain is draining. |
Laura (43) | ||
| 376282 | 2005-08-13 22:02:00 | You should have put the caustic soda down b4 leaving,all would be fixed by now,women :o | Cicero (40) | ||
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