Slow-Draining Shower... Liquid Plumber ok? - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 02-08-2016, 04:58 AM   #1
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Slow-Draining Shower... Liquid Plumber ok?

As the title implies... over the past 2 days, my shower has not been draining as before. Nothing major (yet)... but whereas there was never any standing water before, I now have about an inch of water on the enclosure floor after a 5-min shower. When I'm done, it takes about 45-90 seconds to completely drain.

It it ok to pour some Liquid Plumber or Drain-O into our pipes... or do they make specialty chemicals fir that kind of thing in our RVs?
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Old 02-08-2016, 11:24 AM   #2
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Tom,

I probably would not do that, from two perspectives. Not sure what it would do to the plastic pipes, valves/seals, or holding tank. I suspect the campground would not appreciate it in their system, especially if they are on a septic system.

Can you take out the drain cover from the the tub enclosure, and see what's clogging it? You should also be able to access the drain pipe from the storage cabinet, remove the P trap and see what's blocking it. Needless to say, good idea to have a bucket under the P trap when you take it out.
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Old 02-08-2016, 01:30 PM   #3
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The plumbing materials are ABS, the normal pipe used for sewage drainage. The trap should be right inside the basement door, on the right maybe. However, it's all glued together so that's not much help.
Thanks to the EPA and DEQ and their friends the chemicals of old just aren't that strong anymore.
I don't care for chemicals but you should be ok to use some to unclog the drain. Another way is just to remove the strainer and pull obstruction out or you may have to snake it.
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Old 02-08-2016, 06:47 PM   #4
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Tom......... odds are it's just a build up of soap, & hair. Just need to clean it out like sundancer posted.
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Old 02-08-2016, 06:53 PM   #5
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Either of those cleaners are ok
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Old 02-08-2016, 07:10 PM   #6
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Tom,

I don't remember for sure if it was Home Depot where I got it, but I came across a small snake with a 1 1/2" brush on the end of it.

I have to use it to get the hair out of the shower to clean out the hair that gets caught up.

Another thing you can try if the drain is just slow and not plugged. Mix up a thick slurry out baking soda and water, pour it down the drain, then pour about 4 ounces of vinager down the drain. I do this in the bathroom sink when it slows down when it gets slow. Usually one shot will do it, on occassion I'll have to give it a second shot.

I
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Old 02-09-2016, 12:39 AM   #7
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Thanks for the replies... I played with it some today with a small snake. Seems to be a bit better. I'll find out over the next day or so.
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Old 11-12-2016, 10:02 AM   #8
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There is another cleaner out there called Thrift. It was recommended to me for the plumbing in my house and works quite well and supposedly doesn't hurt septic systems.
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Old 11-14-2016, 12:22 AM   #9
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Try one of these. You'll be amazed what you pull out! https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cobra-Plast...tick/999908745
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Old 04-07-2017, 12:33 AM   #10
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I am new to the forum, retired plumber and plumbing inspector. I had a similar issue in my 5th wheel shower that I thought was a no brainer. Ran the snake down the drain with no change on flow. I had a panel on the front under the door so I figured, no problem, clean out the P-trap. Only thing was, there was not a P-trap there, it was an inline trap with what we call a Duckbill trap. My snake had destroyed the rubber Duckbill. I ordered a new one on Amazon and replaced it.
https://smile.amazon.com/HEPVO-BV1BU...1524446&sr=8-1

I ordere the 1 1/4inch and 1 1/2". Found out that the smaller one is all that is needed because the body is the same for both.
If you don't have the traditional P-trap then chances are this is what you have and you should check before using a snake.
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Old 04-08-2017, 03:04 AM   #11
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In curbside basement look up and there is the shower P-trap. Mine has a connector there.
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Old 04-08-2017, 08:11 PM   #12
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Has no one ever heard of a shop vac? Use it to suck hair/ soap scum/ obstruction back us the drain. Works fantastic on minor clogs and is much simpler than snaking your drain.


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Old 04-09-2017, 06:30 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pwise1 View Post
Has no one ever heard of a shop vac? Use it to suck hair/ soap scum/ obstruction back us the drain. Works fantastic on minor clogs and is much simpler than snaking your drain.


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A shop vac works great if you have a P-trap, it won't work on the Hepvo inline trap because it is a backwater type device. Ask me how I know! I destroyed mine after trying the shop vac and then using a snake. Live and learn. That's why I like these forums. Most every issue has been addressed by someone.
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