Not only will it not fix your clog, but it will actually make it worse. Over time, drano can harden and become like cement. This will eventually require much more expensive repairs.
The chemicals in the product are designed to break own the clog, but if left for too long, they can start to break down the pipes themselves. This can lead to cracks and leaks in the pipes, leading to various issues, including water damage and flooding.
Drano is corrosive and harms pipes made of metal.
Drano likely harms ABS (black) plastic sewer pipes. It may harm older PVC (white) plastic pipes (20+ years) — details within this article.
For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. For tough problems, allow 30 minutes before flushing.
Drano® will not damage pipes or plumbing. Drano® products are powerful enough to dissolve nasty clogs, but they will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there's no need to worry.
It is Extremely Corrosive For Your Drains
When your pipes are clogged, Drano will sit on top of the clog, continually reacting and generating heat until the clog dissolves. This can put a great deal of stress on your drains as the heat can cause PVC pipes to soften and even break or collapse.
Although plumbing chemicals like Drano are designed to break up clogs and clear your pipes, they often make a clog worse for homeowners.
Plunge it Out
When Drano won't go down the drain, grab a plunger instead. Many people think that these are only good for toilets. However, they can create suction that can dislodge your clog. If you're using a plunger, choose one that is suited for the type of clog you're dealing with.
Simply put, Liquid-Plumr and Drano are not designed for frequent use. Because of the chemicals found in these types of products, you could cause irreparable damage to your pipes.
Drain cleaner can linger in your pipes far after even a single-use. This can open up the possibility of other chemical cleaners reacting with it and creating harmful fumes. The chemicals in the product can also pose a major threat to the health and safety of anyone working with it. Drano is caustic.
Using a snake is also more invasive and time-consuming than using a chemical cleaner is, and can often become a dirty job. When it comes to getting at and removing major clogs or clogs that are deep down in your pipes, however, a plumber's snake is your best bet.
Because of its corrosive nature, Drano can cause toilet bowls to crack, PVC pipes to melt or break and the glue that holds pipes together can be eaten away. If any of these things happen, you're going to be left with an inoperable plumbing system and costly repairs.
Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the professionals instead. It will save you time and money in the long run.
For use on clogged or slow-running drains, pour half of the bottle (32 oz. size) slowly over drain. For extremely slow-running drains or complete clogs, pour in entire contents of 32 oz. bottle.
Bottom line: Liquid Plumr and Drano should be used sparingly, if ever. That said, using a chemical drain cleaner once or twice probably won't result in significant damage, but you are taking a risk every time you use one.
Using Drano once or twice is nothing to be too concerned about, and it likely won't cause damage to your pipes. However, if you find that a clog is showing up repeatedly, this can be a sign of deeper plumbing issues that should be addressed by a professional.
Simmons says these products are corrosive to pipes. “If used repeatedly, they can cause your pipes to burst, leaving you with a much larger problem,” she adds. “Don't use Drano or similar products. Call your landlord or super.”
Some of the best Drano alternatives include using a plunger or pipe snake, soap or salt mixed with boiling water, or baking soda and white vinegar. Also, for maximum effectiveness, you can combine several of these methods together to get rid of the clog.
Monthly Is The Way To Go
By using methods that incorporate baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water, you can ensure that your drains are working properly for days, months, and years to come without major work or an emergency call.
Use ½-1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, plus a bit of water if you want to dilute things a little bit more. Pour it down the drain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Sometimes, this mixture can break up clogs that even Drano can't touch!
No! Draino is mostly just lye, a very strong base, while vinegar is dilute acetic acid. Vinegar and lye will react immediately releasing heat. If most of the Draino hasn't been rinsed from the drain liquid is likely to come shooting back up at you.
If you've poured Drano down your shower drain and it hasn't worked, it's time to call the plumber. They'll have the professional equipment that you can't buy at the store to remove the clog safely.
Baking soda and vinegar may unclog your drain better than Drano ever could. Start by getting rid of the standing water in your drain. If it will go down slowly, just wait until it's gone. If it isn't moving, use a cup or a spoon to get it out of there.
Does this particular clog seem bust-up proof? If standing water remains, use Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover. It pours straight through the water and attacks the clog directly.
Clogs can also be caused by buildup in the third, lateral section of the pipe. Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover is effective on these clog types as well. Keep some on hand for its reliable clog-busting power!