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Household Hints & Help

IrishAyes

(6,151 posts)

16. Not to beat this horse to death, but

Reply to TxDemChem (Reply #15)

Fri Jan 10, 2014, 09:19 AM

Jan 2014

I was thrilled out of my skull when the cold water started flowing at last in the kitchen and downstairs half bath sink and toilet. Now my only problem is the washing machine exit pipe being blocked. Probably the last place to self-thaw will be the ice jam in the trap, and then I'll be down to the notorious de-icer salt melt jam. After giving the ice jam underneath another couple days to thaw, I'll take on the salt block again with hot water baths every fifteen minutes after first siphoning out the drain cleaner now sitting on top. And the manufacturer's major chemist is supposed to call me this morning for a consultation.

Please extend my thanks to your husband as well. The emotional support from both of you has been most helpful. Yesterday I'd worked myself into a real sorry state, but after a good night's rest I feel much renewed, thank you.

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Desperately need a chemist(?) to help me out of the hole I dug. [View all] IrishAyes Jan 2014 OP

Does hot water disolve salt? angstlessk Jan 2014 #1

Apparently not this kind, once it's clumped. I spent a couple hours at it with a tea kettle, IrishAyes Jan 2014 #5

I can't help you, but these guys might be able to... Adsos Letter Jan 2014 #2

Thanks. That'll be my next stop. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #6

With cordless drill... Kaleva Jan 2014 #3

Okay. But I might have to wait another week until the ice jam melts away on its own first. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #7

I don't suppose a plumber's snake would work at this point? The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2014 #4

I bought a plumber's snake yesterday - should have one anyway - but I think IrishAyes Jan 2014 #8

Maybe the frozen water is stopping the hot water from disolving the salt???? angstlessk Jan 2014 #9

That really makes good sense. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #10

Hubby just pointed out your creativity. TxDemChem Jan 2014 #12

Thanks - if raging fear counts as creativity! I'm a hysterical mess. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #14

Okay, this is out of my every day chem lab duties, TxDemChem Jan 2014 #11

Thank you. I'm sure it will help when I return to the matter in a couple days. Very kind of you to IrishAyes Jan 2014 #13

I understand completely. TxDemChem Jan 2014 #15

Not to beat this horse to death, but IrishAyes Jan 2014 #16

I am so glad to hear you have begun to thaw! TxDemChem Jan 2014 #17

Hey, pass me a shot, would you? I could use one. Or a dozen. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #18

I shall happily pass along the bottle! TxDemChem Jan 2014 #19

Well, I'm a one-woman wrecking crew! IrishAyes Jan 2014 #20

And you didn't even have to hold a gun to his head! TxDemChem Jan 2014 #21

Now that most of the rock salt trap blockage has been cut out, the remaining pipe actually started IrishAyes Jan 2014 #22

Woo hoo ! We have some water! TxDemChem Jan 2014 #23

Thank you sincerely for helping me survive this. It became traumatic at points. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #24

Wow!!! That cabin will be quite the task. TxDemChem Jan 2014 #25

You're too kind. Believe me, FAR too kind! I'm the sort of friend your parents warned you about. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #26

Actually, you sound just like the friend my parents would want me to have! TxDemChem Jan 2014 #27

It's been lovely - I mean it. Thanks. IrishAyes Jan 2014 #28

House buying is crazy. TxDemChem Jan 2014 #29