Stubborn drains can't stand up to you when you've got Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Urgent Clear™. Blast away the toughest clogs in 7 minutes.
Drano® Liquid Drain Cleaner starts working to unclog your drain on contact. After 15 to 30 minutes, clogs are substantially minimized or dissolved. A final blast of hot water flushes away what's left of the clog.
As an alternative to liquid plumber, combining baking soda and vinegar can be very effective. Pour baking soda down the drain first, then pour vinegar to cause the fizzing chemical reaction. This helps to loosen debris in the way as it expands. Let it sit overnight and flush with boiling water.
For an easy clog, your plumber may get the job done in mere minutes. For a more stubborn or deep-seated clog, the process may take multiple hours. If you're dealing with a stubborn household clog, it may be time for you to enlist a professional plumbing company to come help.
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.
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.
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.
Clean the P-trap. If the water is still not draining correctly, there might be a blockage in the P-trap, aka the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing your sink to drain slowly or not at all because the water hits a snag on its way down.
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.
Pour or squeeze ½ cup of Dawn® dish detergent down the drain. For a tougher clog, use 1 full cup. Let the detergent work its way down the drain for 30 minutes.
Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a strong acid that is commonly used to dissolve clogs in drains. This acid works by breaking down organic materials such as hair, grease, and soap scum that can accumulate in pipes and cause blockages.
How long should I wait to flush the drain after using Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Hair Clog Eliminator™? Wait 15 minutes before flushing the drain with water. This product is safe for pipes, and if you have an especially slow drain you can safely let it sit overnight.
Liquid plumbers are safe for occasional use to get your drains flowing freely again. They are easy to use and restore your drains to normal function within 15 minutes if the source of the clog is a simple buildup of soap scum and residue in the drain.
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.
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.
You need to make sure that you've securely tightened thumbscrew(the piece that secures the cable inside the drum or handle). If the thumbscrew is loose, the cable will not rotate at all when you twist the handle. The cable rotation is how the drain snake picks up debris, so if it can't do this, your auger won't work.
You should clean your sewer line at least every two years. Getting a sewer line inspection for older homes or those with more trees is a good idea. Basic sewer line clogs and debris can be tackled with a $5 drain snake. More stubborn clogs may require professional cleaning, which costs an average of $325.
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.
I have standing water. What do I do? Try Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover. It is a gel formulated thick enough to easily pour through water straight to the clog, dissolving it fast.
The chemicals in Drano may not solve all clogs, and they can lead to a worsening of pipe issues. Drano can build up in a clogged area, and corrode the pipe. With repeated use, these chemicals may eat their way through a pipe, and cause a leak or a collapse of the system.
For general maintenance of drains, slowly pour 1 cup of "Liquid Plumr Drain Cleaner" down drains once or twice a month.
Final Verdict. Our best overall pick for drain cleaners is Drano Max Gel Clog Remover, which also comes recommended by experts. We love that this formula works on every type of drain pipe and can clear just about any clog.
Liquid drain cleaners cause both internal and external damage to your home's plumbing system. The caustic chemicals in drain cleaners also eat away at the finishes of your sinks and toilets. For example, drain cleaners can settle onto the porcelain of your toilet's bowl and cause cracks.