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Grucky Stuff

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  • R Roger Wright

    Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

    "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

    E Offline
    E Offline
    El Corazon
    wrote on last edited by
    #7

    Roger Wright wrote:

    Anyone who has hair

    I used to.... ;) about two feet of it. :cool: but not anymore.... however, they do make things that help. I use a hand snake, there are also brushes: http://www.improvementscatalog.com/parent.asp?product=207287x&dept%5Fid=16140&cm_ven=NexTag&cm_ite=16140&code=macs=MP6NEXTAG[^] http://www.nextag.com/Zip-It-63824787/prices-html[^] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001DA8YE/nextag-tools-20/ref=nosim[^]

    _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

    1 Reply Last reply
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    • R Roger Wright

      Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

      "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

      Mike HankeyM Offline
      Mike HankeyM Offline
      Mike Hankey
      wrote on last edited by
      #8

      Try a drain snake..plumbers use it and charge you a fortune..Has a flexible shaft and a small bulb with a point (kinda) at the end. It'll remove anything...almost!

      Started out with nothing and still have most of it left!

      R 1 Reply Last reply
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      • R Roger Wright

        Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

        "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

        J Offline
        J Offline
        Jorgen Sigvardsson
        wrote on last edited by
        #9

        How about caustic soda, a toilet brush and running water?

        -- Verletzen zerfetzen zersetzen zerstören Doch es darf nicht mir gehören Ich muss zerstören

        R 1 Reply Last reply
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        • J JimmyRopes

          I find the tool for fetching dropped things like nuts or bolts that have fallen to hard to reach places works well. I don't know the name if it but it has a flexable shaft with a set of 3 or 4 claws on one end. When you push the shaft that goes into the flex casing the claws extend from the other end. It is spring loaded and when you release pressure the claws retract and close around the object you are trying to retrieve. Once the drain cover is removed this works well to reach into a pipe and retrieve the hair ball that accumulate inside the drain pipe usually in the trap designed to catch things like rings dropped down the drain. -- modified at 17:35 Sunday 11th February, 2007 Thanks to Trollslayer I found a picture of the tool I was thinking of. Pick Up Tool[^]

          Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
          Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
          I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

          L Offline
          L Offline
          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #10

          I think you're talking about a pearl catcher.

          The tigress is here :-D

          J 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • R Roger Wright

            Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

            "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

            M Offline
            M Offline
            Member 96
            wrote on last edited by
            #11

            You can buy a little plastic or rubber thing with a metal strainer built into it that pops into the shower drain and catches all that stuff without impeding water flow. They sell them at most hardware stores. When you want to empty it you just pull it out and thump it against the garbage can and pop it back in, end of problem. And no chance you will ever lose your wedding ring or an earring etc down the drain.

            R 1 Reply Last reply
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            • L Lost User

              I think you're talking about a pearl catcher.

              The tigress is here :-D

              J Offline
              J Offline
              JimmyRopes
              wrote on last edited by
              #12

              Yes - thank you Elaine - very similar to a pearl catcher. :cool: I hadn't heard of a pearl catcher before and when I searched for it the only difference that I could see was that the pearl catchers looked rigid whereas the tool I was thinking of is flexible and a bit longer. Turns out that a company called Maplin sells both a pearl catcher (£0.98) and the tool I was thinking of which they call a pick up tool (£2.99). See Maplin Pick Up Tool[^].

              Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
              Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
              I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

              1 Reply Last reply
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              • R Roger Wright

                Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

                "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                P Offline
                P Offline
                peterchen
                wrote on last edited by
                #13

                NaOH

                Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Velopers, Develprs, Developers!
                We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
                Linkify!|Fold With Us!

                R 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • R Roger Wright

                  Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

                  "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                  M Offline
                  M Offline
                  Marc Clifton
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #14

                  Roger Wright wrote:

                  The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method!

                  When the plumber was over replacing the heating elements in the water heater (which looked a bit like a Klingon Battle Cruiser after an encounter with the Borg), those two tools were exactly what he recommended for the "grucky stuff". Marc

                  Thyme In The Country

                  People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
                  There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
                  People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

                  R 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • R Roger Wright

                    Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

                    "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                    S Offline
                    S Offline
                    Shog9 0
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #15

                    How about a large, flat drill bit and a vicegrip (locking pliers)? I'd think you'd be able to get a bit of sufficient length and width to fit just about any drain... (I have a wife now, so no longer worry about such matters... :rolleyes: )

                    ---- Scripts i’ve known... CPhog 1.8.2 - make CP better. Forum Bookmark 0.2.5 - bookmark forum posts on Pensieve Print forum 0.1.2 - printer-friendly forums Expand all 1.0 - Expand all messages In-place Delete 1.0 - AJAX-style post delete Syntax 0.1 - Syntax highlighting for code blocks in the forums

                    R 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • R Roger Wright

                      Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

                      "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                      E Offline
                      E Offline
                      El Corazon
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #16

                      you have inspired me... I cleaned the drain, the tub, the bathroom, the kitchen, the kitchen disposal (with all different grucky sediment in there -- and disinfected everything). :) of course now I will come down sick since I cleaned everything that would otherwise make me ill, so my defenses will wane and I will fall ill by next week. ;)

                      _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                      R 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • R Roger Wright

                        Anyone who has hair and practices some semblance of personal hygiene knows what I mean - the stuff that clogs the shower drain. Everyone has to deal with it, and no one I know looks forward to it. The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it? The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method! I envision a tool - perhaps I'll have to invent it - that resembles a Forstner bit. It would have flat blades on the bottom to shear the hair at the drain grate, with slightly rounded outer edges to avoid scratching the finish on the drain (which would lead to nasty corrosion). A T-handle would provide the leverage to cut the goop, and would provide tactile feedback to the user to indicate when metal is struck. Is there such a thing?

                        "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        S Douglas
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #17

                        Roger Wright wrote:

                        the stuff that clogs the shower drain.

                        This is perhaps the most odd post I've seen in the lounge in a very long time. Did Link spoof your ID? :rolleyes:

                        Roger Wright wrote:

                        The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it?

                        Water pressure. Really good water presure to prevent the build up in the first place. :)

                        I'd love to help, but unfortunatley I have prior commitments monitoring the length of my grass. :Andrew Bleakley:

                        R 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • S S Douglas

                          Roger Wright wrote:

                          the stuff that clogs the shower drain.

                          This is perhaps the most odd post I've seen in the lounge in a very long time. Did Link spoof your ID? :rolleyes:

                          Roger Wright wrote:

                          The question is, what's the least objectionable way to remove it?

                          Water pressure. Really good water presure to prevent the build up in the first place. :)

                          I'd love to help, but unfortunatley I have prior commitments monitoring the length of my grass. :Andrew Bleakley:

                          R Offline
                          R Offline
                          Roger Wright
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #18

                          Once in a while, especially on weekends, it gets a bit stodgy in here. I like to come up with unusual topics to encourage out-of-the-box thinking as a public service.:-D

                          "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                          S 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • E El Corazon

                            you have inspired me... I cleaned the drain, the tub, the bathroom, the kitchen, the kitchen disposal (with all different grucky sediment in there -- and disinfected everything). :) of course now I will come down sick since I cleaned everything that would otherwise make me ill, so my defenses will wane and I will fall ill by next week. ;)

                            _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            Roger Wright
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #19

                            Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

                            you have inspired me

                            My work is done here. I'm so proud of you...:-D

                            "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                            R 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • S Shog9 0

                              How about a large, flat drill bit and a vicegrip (locking pliers)? I'd think you'd be able to get a bit of sufficient length and width to fit just about any drain... (I have a wife now, so no longer worry about such matters... :rolleyes: )

                              ---- Scripts i’ve known... CPhog 1.8.2 - make CP better. Forum Bookmark 0.2.5 - bookmark forum posts on Pensieve Print forum 0.1.2 - printer-friendly forums Expand all 1.0 - Expand all messages In-place Delete 1.0 - AJAX-style post delete Syntax 0.1 - Syntax highlighting for code blocks in the forums

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              Roger Wright
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #20

                              Good thought!

                              Shog9 wrote:

                              I have a wife now, so no longer worry about such matters

                              I wouldn't be taking that for granted...;)

                              "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • M Marc Clifton

                                Roger Wright wrote:

                                The best I've found is a combination of needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver, but surely there's a better method!

                                When the plumber was over replacing the heating elements in the water heater (which looked a bit like a Klingon Battle Cruiser after an encounter with the Borg), those two tools were exactly what he recommended for the "grucky stuff". Marc

                                Thyme In The Country

                                People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
                                There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
                                People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

                                R Offline
                                R Offline
                                Roger Wright
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #21

                                It's nice to know that my method is professionally endorsed, but there really ought to be a better way!

                                "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • P peterchen

                                  NaOH

                                  Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Velopers, Develprs, Developers!
                                  We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
                                  Linkify!|Fold With Us!

                                  R Offline
                                  R Offline
                                  Roger Wright
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #22

                                  Yes, that should work nicely, but I haven't seen that sold anywhere in years. The nanny state is protecting us again...

                                  "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                                  E P 2 Replies Last reply
                                  0
                                  • M Member 96

                                    You can buy a little plastic or rubber thing with a metal strainer built into it that pops into the shower drain and catches all that stuff without impeding water flow. They sell them at most hardware stores. When you want to empty it you just pull it out and thump it against the garbage can and pop it back in, end of problem. And no chance you will ever lose your wedding ring or an earring etc down the drain.

                                    R Offline
                                    R Offline
                                    Roger Wright
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #23

                                    I've seen them, but unfortunately they don't work on these fancy push-to-close/push to open stopper assemblies. Replacing it with a conventional drain would entail removing the tub.:doh:

                                    "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                                    M 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

                                      How about caustic soda, a toilet brush and running water?

                                      -- Verletzen zerfetzen zersetzen zerstören Doch es darf nicht mir gehören Ich muss zerstören

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      Roger Wright
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #24

                                      Joergen Sigvardsson wrote:

                                      caustic soda

                                      Hmmm... Not sure where to buy this anymore. It seems to have fallen off the store shelves over the years, though I remember buying it for various experiments as a kid.

                                      "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • Mike HankeyM Mike Hankey

                                        Try a drain snake..plumbers use it and charge you a fortune..Has a flexible shaft and a small bulb with a point (kinda) at the end. It'll remove anything...almost!

                                        Started out with nothing and still have most of it left!

                                        R Offline
                                        R Offline
                                        Roger Wright
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #25

                                        Works great for a clogged trap, but it's worthless for the drain grate at the top of the downspout.

                                        "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • R Roger Wright

                                          Yes, that should work nicely, but I haven't seen that sold anywhere in years. The nanny state is protecting us again...

                                          "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                                          E Offline
                                          E Offline
                                          El Corazon
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #26

                                          Roger Wright wrote:

                                          Yes, that should work nicely, but I haven't seen that sold anywhere in years.

                                          I believe you have seen something similar, as warning labels: "Do not mix Clorox with Ammonia" of course you have to get past the chlorine gas to get to the acid remaining....

                                          _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

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