the d.i.y. chronicles
the problem: clogged shower drain caused by hair that is falling out (mine), of significant length (the wife's), or over-abundant (mine, everywhere but head).
manifestation: water becomes ankle-deep before you can even get a lather going. further details redacted in the interest of good taste.
attempted solutions: in the past, Liquid Plumr and the like have been the go-to remedies for such a problem, but even these high-test chemicals sometimes require multiple applications before getting the job done. in the interest of saving a few bucks and reducing the amount of toxic chemicals in our home, i started looking for a more natural, holistic (read: hippiefied) way to achieve the same results. several sites claimed the old science fair standby of vinegar and baking soda would do the trick. i meticulously tried to get the baking soda into the clogged drain before pouring the vinegar over it, though it's easier said than done. even so, this worked fairly well the first couple of times, though the clog never fully cleared. with diminishing returns setting in and water-levels rising near flood stage, it was time to find some sort of alternative. a little more research and a trip to Whole Foods resulted in a purchase of Earth Enzymes, a biodegradable clog eradicator.
final resolution: i came home with the new product, only to find that the wife had already bought and applied some Drano to the problem. after her shower, she pronounced the results to be "super". final test on hold pending further hair emigration.
total cost: about $9 - a couple bucks for vinegar and baking soda and $6.99 + tax for the Enzymes (after $1 coupon printed from website).
bonus feature: Drano (in crystal form) mixed with a pregnant female's urine can be used as a baby gender predictor, though for obvious reasons it is "not recommended".
Comments
I eagerly await the final results of said experiment to see what would be most appropriate in the very hippy environs of our upstairs bathroom for my pending "Operation Sasquatch Sink".
Posted by: WisdomWeasel | July 6, 2005 10:10 AM
Are we to infer by the bonus feature that there may be an Ape on the way or was that strictly for informational purposes only?
Posted by: mas | July 6, 2005 01:46 PM
i think mike watt has a song about this very thing you describe.
Posted by: dan | July 6, 2005 03:27 PM
gosh, it's been a while since I've commented on the ape but clogged bathrooms is just too tempting.
Exactly the same thing often happens at Bowles Towers. We used to use draino but in this eco conscious society i kind of felt like i was napalming a village. Also it rots the pipes.
My solution is the tried and tested baking soda/vinegar option (the so called non nuclear option). the thing with defeating the hairballs in this manner is that you need to apply the treatment again and again and again untill the problem is solved.
And don't even think about having a baby untill we have. And on no account steal the name for our prospective first born (Kevlar).
Posted by: bowles | July 7, 2005 08:58 AM
Informational only. And it's Apelette. And Mr. Bowles, you and Maris will never have to worry about us stealing your "name". Isn't that a space age material?
Posted by: the wife | July 7, 2005 03:40 PM
Exactly, Kevlar is indestructible.
Posted by: bowles | July 7, 2005 07:08 PM
I like the idea--I think proposed by someone who lurks in this area-- of naming the first born "Authorized Personnel," so he/she could go anywhere.
Posted by: David | July 10, 2005 11:25 PM