I know you wanted a non-chemical reaction - but if you're reasonably sure it's a hair clog, you could try pouring Nair down it and letting it sit overnight, then hot water - that will dissolve the hair.  This link (http://www.1800anytyme.com/blog/8-clogged-drain-tips/64/) also has some other tips - I've had both good and bad results with a snake; it depends on where the clog is.

Also, I don't know what kind of drain cover you have - but when my sink clogs, it's usually because of built-up gunk on the drain plug.  I unscrew the screw that hold the bottom of the drain plug into the lever that moves it up and down, clean it off, and put it back - and the drain runs clear for months, until the toothpaste gunk builds up again.

Also, if you can find it near you, you can try a high-pressure air or CO2 plunger like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Kleer-Drain-Instant-Opener/dp/B000DZD0VI) - I've never used one, but I've heard mostly good things about them.

karenteacher:

but if you're reasonably sure it's a hair clog, you could try pouring Nair down it and letting it sit overnight, then hot water - that will dissolve the hair

I did try some Veet ... (I was getting frustrated.) I let it go down and was in there for about 10 minutes. I wasn't sure what the chemical stuff would do to the pipes sititng overnight. 

The drain cover that I took off was just a simple circle disk that had a screw in the middle to secure it to the drain. The 'plug' is built in but I have never used it. 

I think I got this fixed. Not a green way but I did what I could... 

Found the cheapest drain cleaner at Walmart... did 3 applications of it. One with just a tap rinse, after 1 hr (minimum was 15min). 2nd was with boiling water (also 1 hr; I carried up the stairs, got a system). 3rd and final was just after 15 minutes and again with boiling water. I noticed the water was going down faster. 

The pipes are still speaking to me... I heard a "clunk" when I came down to the main level.  We'll see what happens with a shower tonight.

Luvd_Lioness:

I think I got this fixed

I spoke too soon.

While I was gone, my dad looked at the drain and figured out that it levels out and then does a 90* drop after that. So I have no clue what to do now... the drain is still very slow (I am standing in soap at the end of the shower while toweling off). 

Any suggestions?

When my drains are slow I use Rooto Household 100% lye drain opener...I get it from Menards...maybe Home Depot has it too....I use it every once in a while with the sink, shower and laundry drains....

I'll keep that in mind.

Right now I think I am just going to wait until the county service program comes and works on my place. I am having issues also now with the shower function starting up (I am now most of the time, ankle deep in water and under a light spray, before it really kicks in with the pipes squealing). So they are going to be looking at my bathroom plumbing while they are here. 

jillibean:

Have you tried a can of Coke? It seems to work better than Pepsi, but may take more than one application. It contains hydrochloric acid

Oh my!!! And we drink this stuff!

Frugal Me:

jillibean:

Have you tried a can of Coke? It seems to work better than Pepsi, but may take more than one application. It contains hydrochloric acid

 

Oh my!!! And we drink this stuff!

Your stomach contains hydrochloric acid too - it helps digests your food.

karenteacher:

Your stomach contains hydrochloric acid too - it helps digests your food.

Whew! I was getting scared!!

When fishing hair out of drains, an old toothbrush often catches the first time better than that coathanger. A good long pair of tweezers, or a hemostat, helps catch those razor caps. Those pesky plastic parts are exactly why I went back to using an old double-edged secondhand Gillette.

Best tool I know of on arthritic (or fibromyalgic) days is a neighbor's boy with good hands and a plumber's snake.  Hot homemade chocolate chip cookies work wonders with those guys.

Lye will eat out your pipes, and many places have quit selling it because crank cookers use it.  It's a shame because it's the best stuff around for stripping paint off solid oak furniture.