how to unclog a sink drain without killing my finches?

[Musetta]

We have a clogged sink in the bathroom adjacent to the room where I keep my finches. I know that they are sensitive to cleaners, detergents, etc etc so I am wondering whether there is anything I can use to unclog my sink that won't harm them. Or if they are far enough away that the fumes won't be toxic.

I am able to shut the door between the two rooms and put a towel against the bottom to block the opening. I can also turn on the vent in the bathroom. The cages are about fifteen feet from the sink (again, in a separate room). Would something like Drano harm them if I have the door between them and the sink closed? I can also open the windows next to the cages. Or does someone have a better alternative to suggest? I can't really move the cages bc one of them is quite large and won't fit around the bed.

Thanks!

[chirpy]

I can't help, but since AC vents travels through the house do batroom ones too?


...wait, maybe not. Cause after my husband "goes" I don't smell it anywhere else lol.
Be waiting for answers I need to unclog some drains!

[Ginene]

We deconstruct a wire hanger and then stick one end down the drain to pull out the clog...which is usually my long hair. I should probably stop blow drying my hair over the sink...

[cindy]

I would dismantle the pipe from under the sink, some clogs settle in the curved part of the piping.

[Sally]

A plunger doesn't work? I wouldn't use Drano, but I have used products in my house that are safe for septic systems, can't think of the name of the product right now.

To keep a drain clean, you can boil 4 cups of water and pour down the drain. Then put 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Let sit for about 1/2 hour, then pour 4 cups boiling water down the drain. Will clean out the grease, etc., from the pipes, plus eliminate any odors.

[chirpy]

I would dismantle the pipe from under the sink, some clogs settle in the curved part of the piping.

YES! I lost my engagement ring for two years (with out any one knowing because I needed to get it resized since it would fall off my finger).. I didn't know where it was.... and one day I woke up thinking "I think my cat flicked it down the drain!" well... after 2 years it was caught up in lots of long hair lol

[30 Seconds to Bob]

They also make a miniature version of the plumber's toilet "snake" designed for sinks. Any hardware store or home improvement center will carry them. Bob

[Musetta]

Ok, actually it is 20-25 feet away, if that makes a difference (I realize now that I am in the room and looking at the distance). Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. My husband is afraid to dismantle the pipe because we have had a bad experience with a DIY sink repair on the first floor bathroom (which resulted in our first floor being flooded). I didn't know that there is such as thing as a miniature snake for sinks; we have one that he uses for the bathtub but he said that it won't work in sinks, so I'll ask him about that. We'll maybe try the plunger and the wire hanger, as well...the problem is that when this sink has gotten clogged in the past (before I acquired finches), it has been next to impossible to get it clear. We tried all kinds of heavy-duty stuff to pour down it and nothing worked. Once we had a plumber fix it, but we would rather not pay that fee again. Argh. Our best bet would be a mini snake, if we can find one. We'll look at Home Depot today. Thanks again!

[cindy]

Here is a natural way to do it using baking soda and vinegar

http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/06/natu ... chemicals/

"Drain De-Clogger Recipe:

1/2 cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

1 gallon boiling water

Carefully siphon all the baking soda down the drain. Pour in 1/2 of the vinegar, covering the hole so the fizz is forced down, not up (omit this for toilets, please!). Add the second half of the vinegar, following the same procedure. Allow to sit for 15 minutes or so, and then flush with an entire gallon of boiling water."


read the entire page....strong caution about DO NOT use Draino after...the mix of Draino and the vinegar and baking soda gives off toxic fumes.

[nicolino]

There are several options you may have. Best product to clear clogged bathroom sink is Drano Crystals. Home Depot sells it for about a $ 7.00 a small bottle. Just pour Two or three full tea spoons of crystals into the dry sink , use a little paint brush or such, to work the crystals around a sink stopper into the drain . Pour in a cup full of water and let it work for about a minuter or two. You'll hear hissing sound as the product would eat all the hair etc. It will create fumes but once you close the doors and run your bath fan you'll be fine. Do not use too much of the crystals. Liquid Drano is waste of money. Crystals work. Also for shower drain . Not for kitchen sink or toilets , for that you'll need a drain snake.
Option two : Home Depot sells a little about a 2ft. long white plastic strip that will fit around sink stopper to clear hair and sludge in your sink drain . Just push it in and pull out.
Option three: Dismantle a sink stopper ( for that you'll need your husband skills ) Not too difficult and you do not need to dismantle plumbing pipes. Use hanger wire to clear drain. ( Most of the time hair gets stuck around sink stopper lever that moves sink stopper up and down)

Lots of time, slow sink drain is simply because the sink stopper does not move high enough and needs to be readjusted.
good luck .

[Musetta]

Thanks for your help, everyone! My husband got a mini-snake for about $3 from Home Depot and it worked like a charm! I have no idea how a bunch of nesting material got caught in there... oops.

[chirpy]

Thanks for your help, everyone! My husband got a mini-snake for about $3 from Home Depot and it worked like a charm! I have no idea how a bunch of nesting material got caught in there... oops.

LOL!