GADGET GUY
By NOLAN FINLEY
There are no nice ways to unclog a drain. Use harsh chemicals to dissolve the blockage and you risk damaging the plumbing — and your health. Tearing the trap apart is no picnic, and running a snake through is inevitably a challenge.
So, as an alternative, the Zip-It is not a bad gizmo.
It’s simply a long, flexible piece of plastic with teeth along the edges. Shove it down the drain and pull it back out — slowly — and you can usually break the clog. But, as always, there’s a price.
Instead of pushing the gunk down the drain pipes, the Zip-It brings it all back up into the sink or tub. But, the drain is clean, and that is the goal.
Cost: $2
Maker: Cobra Products
Available: Most Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walgreens stores.
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Gadget Guy, aka Nolan Finley, is an editor at the Detroit News. You can reach him on the Internet at nfinley@detnews.com