Drain unblocker- what have I done?

[CheckMate2021]

Wanted to unblock the en suite shower in our new house, and usually I hate the use of any chemicals that are harsh (especially with children try to avoid at all costs).
However, I couldn’t get the drain unblocked, and finally gave in to buy some.

Followed the instructions (pour bottle slowly into drain), but as I was doing so (bottle nearly empty), a lot of the contents ‘regurgitated’ back out. Now half the shower tray has drain unblocker sitting there
It states to leave for an hour followed by use of hot water.

I’m worried that the drain isn’t going to be any better, but now with the unblocker sitting there I’ve rendered it unusable.

Anyone had similar experience? Have I made a huge mess?

[Chumleymouse]

An hour sounds along time I leave the mr muscle on no more than ten mins then rinse, Just wipe any out of the bottom of the tray to be on the safe side

[Disressingtimes]

Has it been an hour? If not then reassess after the hour. If it works get a hair catcher to put over the shower drain.
I had to unblock a rental one once with a wire coat hanger I straightened out and poked down. You wouldn’t believe the amount of hair down there!

[billybagpuss]

Yes had the same problem a few years back, it was a blockage of the main drain on our neighbours property. Is your kitchen sink ok?

Do you have drains coverage on your house insurance?

[minipie]

I’d be a bit worried it would do something bad to the shower tray or the finish of the drain cover (like it would burn it or take off the chrome etc)

I don’t actually know that it would though! Just know it’s corrosive stuff and intended for metal pipes.

Personally I would use a coat hanger to try to poke a hole so it goes down. But be very careful about fumes - open window and maybe a mask.

[MarySanderson]

If ! was you, I would very, very carefully, with gloves and goggles, slowly try a plunger, bearing in mind that drain cleaner is horrid stuff and you absolutely don't want anything to come into contact with it. Make sure someone else is with you, even if only on the phone.

[CheckMate2021]

Thank you for the replies. @Chumleymouse I stood staring at all the brands and couldn’t decide so just picked the smallest bottle should have gone with mr muscle.

@Disressingtimes not been an hour yet, got worried id totally made a mess ,will reassess once hour is up (hoping it’s all disappeared by then). will definitely need to place hair catcher over drain.

@billybagpuss I didn’t think of that. The kitchen sink drain does feel like it needs a good ‘clean out’ if sink filled takes a while to go down. Will mention this to DH and look into it. Thank you

[CheckMate2021]

Thank you @minipie and @MarySanderson

I hope it doesn’t ruin the finish on the drain :/

I shall update once this is over (really regret going down this route right now)

[Chumleymouse]

It’s not intended for metal pipes ..... it comes in a plastic bottle ! It’s designed to dissolve hair and soap scum just enough so that you can rinse the blockage away with hot water.

[Chumleymouse]

It sometimes bubbles up a bit when I do it , you have to do it really slow and keep stopping if it comes out a bit, I wipe any off that comes out. Once you’ve used it the first time you know what to expect the next time.

[minipie]

@Chumleymouse

It’s not intended for metal pipes ..... it comes in a plastic bottle ! It’s designed to dissolve hair and soap scum just enough so that you can rinse the blockage away with hot water.

Fair point 🤦‍♀️

[Chocoqueen]

I had this issue, but in our kitchen sink. I ended up getting a wooden kebab stick (we have a whole pack sat in our cutlery drawer for some reason) and poked that down the plug hole a few times and that seemed to clear whatever the problem was. Perhaps try something similar?

[minipie]

Still though- it may be ok for that type of plastic but not others or special metal finishes?

[Chewingle]

Very hot water after an hour

[Chumleymouse]

Think it says on the mr muscle one not to get any on gold finishes , ours is chrome but I wipe it off as soon as it’s in there .

[ComtesseDeSpair]

Boil a kettle and give it a good sluice.

In future, this is your friend: www.screwfix.com/p/sink-bath-unblocker-125mm/13894

It really is the best drain unblocking tool I’ve ever come across - no mess, no chemicals.

[picklemewalnuts]

Always do a kettle of boiling water and a squirt of washing up liquid first.

[Disressingtimes]

How does it look? @CheckMate2021 I hope it’s worked for you 🤞

[CheckMate2021]

Thank you all for the replies.
@Disressingtimes phew it looks ok went back after an hour, most of it had drained, I’ve used hot water, and it looks like it’s worked (hopefully). Thank you for your help (had a panic id ruined the shower 😂)

[Erictheavocado]

Glad all seems well OP. Going forward, you could try a monthly dose of soda crystals. I use it in my kitchen sink to clear the pipes and keep them free of gunk. I also add a small amount to my washing machine to help keep it clear of fluff etc.

[GenderApostate19]

You can buy plastic gizmos, look like a long tiewrap with barbs all along it - oh my god, the gunk I pulled out of DD’s bathroom sink with one earlier today ! 🤢

[CheckMate2021]

Thank you everyone! Yep I am going to stick to getting one of these ‘tools’ designed to unblock sinks/baths.