Help - Candle Wax

[enola615]

Since BBS members are always there with answers I've got a good one for you.

It seems the people in another apartment dumped hot candle wax down their sinck and now it is clogged up completely. Does anyone know of anything that will cut the wax and open the drain? This is a new one on me. Could be fast and easy or could be a real headache. Thanks for any help.

I know, the first thing ou are thinking: "Who is the idiot that dumped wax down a sink? These guys are in their 20's and college grads.

[chocolatemomster]

pour boiling water down the drain (heat melts wax, right *LOL*???) Sorry , I just colored my hair and the fumes might have gotten to me :confused:

Hair dryer on the pipes?? (I'll quit while I am ahead)

[chocolatemomster]

Boiling water was my first thought too!


I was starting to feel like a moron!! *LOL*

[jaybird]

WHAT were those people thinking???

But, if you use boiling water, it will flush the wax further down into the pipes and eventually it will harden again. I don't know what would 'dissolve' wax into some form that will flush completely through the drainpipes, but there has to be something. I'm thinking acid...what's that stuff called, muratic acid? I can ask my husband when he calls. I really think they need something that will eat away the wax, not just melt it and wash it down into the pipes.

[chocolatemomster]

I have been looking on the web and (so far) have only seen "call a plumber." Sorry :(

[Jolie Rouge]

The wax has probably collected in the "dip" - get a wrench and a bucket and remove the pipe at the trap. Clean out the wax with the boiling water and put it back together. IF the wax is not there, you will have to push it out with "roto-rooter" type tool or try one of the pressure "thingies" that you buy at "Home Depot" or "Lowes" usually less than $20.00. It attaches to a hose pipe and increases the pressure to force the blockage thru....

Hope that helps.

It is not that intimidating to take the trap off - get those boys to put their backs into it and clean up the mess --- and be happy it is the kitchen sink & not the toilet ! :eek: :eek:

[catssass]

Do you have a snake thing? If you do I would put ice cubes down the drain to harden the wax then use the snake to break it into small pieces, flush with lots of cold water and repeat till the drain flows smoothly...I guess you could use a bent coat hanger....Good Luck!

[enola615]

Jaybird - They weren't thinking!!! They just got home and told me they got it open. I just hope it flowed all the way out to the city sewer line and not someplace under the building. They are the 3rd apartment in, could be lots of fun if it cools down and hardens again. Everyone may be backed up.

[Yasha]

What about some of that liquid plumber stuff - shouldnt it dissolve the hardened wax..?

[jaybird]

Whew, enola! I hope the problem is solved permanently. 20 something college grads aren't always the brightest crayon in the box. Lots of book smarts, zero on the street smarts. Uh oh, the way things are going around here I'll probably get flamed for that crack :D I'm glad it's taken care of though!

(leave it to our southern belle to know what to do)

[Jolie Rouge]

:) :) :)