I have been wondering if these kinds of soaps are leading to the reason I have to pour Drano down my tub drain every couple of weeks. We never had a problem before my wife started using a DE and then shortly after that we started using bar soaps instead of bottled gels. Now it seams every two or three weeks I have to dump a glug of Drano down the drain in the tub to keep it from backing up while we shower. Is it possible that the soaps are causing this?
Tallow in soaps will clog drains. What I have done to combat this, when mine acts up, is I take some baking soda once or twice a week and put some down the drain (not with water). Then when I am through with the water in my hot pot, (not boiling but still hot) I slowly pour it down the drain with some vinegar mixed in. This foaming from the vinegar and baking soda helps to reduce the overall buildup. Since I have an aerobic septic system, I have to leave the Drano alone. Give this a try as maintenance. Given that you have more than one person it may not be enough, but it is worth a shot.
I noticed this occurred more frequently when I first went into wet shaving. When I snaked the drain and removed fist-fulls of hair, the problem stopped, and has not recurred since. Hence, I suspect the pre-existence of hair formed surfaces for build-up and clogging. Draining shave waste with hot water thereafter may be sufficient, but then drains, like faces, are subject to YMMV.
I have been having the same problem as well. I have tried the draino with limited success, guess I will have to go get the snake out.
Oh, you can help by spraying some scrubbing bubbles into the drain when it is free from water and let it go down the drain to enhance the hot water treatment at times. That will help reduce the soap scum which is what helps to clog drains.
I was having the same issues in my shower. I bought a tub drain strainer at Walmart for $3.50 or so and it fits in the drain and catches the hair before it goes down the drain. Problem solved and no chemicals needed.
Good tip, I've noticed just a slight delay in my drain but didn't give it much thought until I seen it posted here. I'll have to try the baking soda/vineger mix a shot.
Every so often I have to dump a bottle of Liquid Plumber Foaming Pipe Snake down the bathroom sink and the tub. I try and do it as soon as I notice the water starting to drain a bit slower. Let it sit for an hour or so, follow it up with hot water, and it drains like new.
This may be gross but If you have ever seen the inside of a septic tank you would know the answers. Believe it or not In older tanks that have been active for a while there is actually a lipid layer made of oils washed down the drain. Its also inside our drain pipes, and Id suspect that tallow soaps and heavy glycerin soaps like we are prone to use dont help the matter any. Any house with a Women in it with long hair is prone to clogging pipes when hair and lipid layers combine its a bad thing.
Unfortunately I had to help replace my grandmother's septic system 30 years ago and when I had to pull out the grease trap from the kitchen (not from the bathroom). It had so much lye and fat that it developed the most disgusting soap due to the combination of the two elements in the ground. I quickly figured out that it was soap, :angry037:angry037 while everyone else working wondered why those bubbles were being made. signs002 Until my grandmother confirmed what I was telling them about soap being made from lye and tallow regardless of the source. That was a most disgusting job and it took 3 days to get the smell off. sick007:sick007 I have a septic system, but is aerobic. It is more expensive to maintain, but easier to maintain from that aspect. I hire a professional to work or clean it. It is worth the expense and they now use modern equipment instead of handling it by hand.
