Why Plumbers Dislike Drano & Other Liquid Plumbers. One of the main reasons plumbers dislike liquid drain cleaners is that they can actually cause more harm than good. These products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause damage over time.
It is Extremely Corrosive For Your Drains
While it is dissolving your clog, Drano can also quickly eat away at the glue holding your pipes together, leading to a potentially costly leak.
Most plumbers will advise you not to use Drano to unclog your drains. This is because the chemical compounds are hard on your pipes, causing corrosion and other long-term damages. Drano is designed to continually react and generate heat within your drain until the clog dissolves.
But it's also one of the most commonly misused products out there. Any plumber will advise against its use.
Drano has been known to cause toilet bowls to crack, soften and break PVC pipes and break older corroded pipes. Over time, the continued usage of Drano can lead your pipes to corrode, crack and eventually fail.
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.
Yes, the heat these chemicals produce will break down the remnants of a clog, but likely only push them farther down your system to form a more dense clog in a harder-to-reach section of your plumbing. This leads to repeat clog offenses, repeat pouring, and the eventual ruin of your plumbing system.
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.
You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. 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.
Using a solution of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water
For more stubborn clogs, a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water may do the trick. Because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, mixing the two will cause a chemical reaction that will create pressure and possibly dislodge the clog.
Single Use, Not Frequent Use
Because of the chemicals found in these types of products, you could cause irreparable damage to your pipes. In most cases, a single use of Liquid-Plumr or Drano will not cause any issues with your pipes, though you should avoid using them in your toilet.
NOPE. 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 works great to remove hair, soap scum, and other gunky clogs. Conquer tough clogs whenever they happen.
To prevent backups, add Drano® Max Build-Up Remover to your monthly routine. One flush once a month can help prevent septic backups!
Unfortunately, the pressure from a plunger probably won't break up a shower drain clog. Instead, it will only send the material deeper down the drain pipe completely intact. The clog still exists, but now it's even deeper into your plumbing system, causing your shower to drain slowly or not drain at all.
Using Drano in the toilet can also hurt you. For example, let's say you used Drano and the clog isn't going anywhere, so you decide to try plunging it. While doing so, you run the risk of accidentally splashing the sitting Drano on your skin, which could cause a burn.
Damage to Plumbing Fixtures
In addition to the pipes, leaving Drano in the drain for too long can damage the plumbing fixtures. This includes the sink, shower, bathtub, and other plumbing fixtures connected to the drain. These fixtures can become corroded and discolored and can start to show signs of wear and tear.
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. Make sure that you get a plunger that can seal all the way around your drain.
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!
While the phosphoric acid found in cola can help alleviate some minor clogs, carbonated beverages are certainly not the ideal drain cleaner. Better DIY methods include a baking soda/vinegar mixture, a plunger, or a plumber's snake.
If your drain is clogged with hair, baking soda can dissolve hair in a drain. To try this safe and easy method at home - first, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar (white vinegar) down. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes.
Start with 1/4 cup of salt, 1/4 cup of Borax, and then a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Add a pot of boiling water and let it sit for at least an hour or until it clears. Finally, rinse with hot tap water to clear all ingredients down the drain.
Human hair, pet hair, natural oils, soap, and product residue combine to create a disgusting mass of stubborn goo that clogs bathroom sink drains and shower drains. These are the toughest clogs to break through. Snake drain traps regularly to remove hair before it builds into a clog.
We recommend trying another bottle of this product. However, if the problem continues to persist, you should call a plumber, as there are some plumbing situations that even Liquid-Plumr cannot fix. Know when to call a plumber for clogged drains.
Final Verdict. Our best overall pick for drain cleaners is Drano Max Gel Clog Remover, which also comes recommended by experts.