Some home remedies will work better than others. With a clogged basement drain, pouring Drano or similar products down your sewer drain can actually damage your pipes or the glue holding them together, causing more sewer system problems in the future.
Boiling Water, Baking Soda, and Vinegar: Sometimes, a combination of boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar can help dissolve and dislodge minor blockages. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush it with boiling water.
Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.
Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and let the mixture sit for an hour, then flush with hot water. Plumbing Snake or Auger: A plumbing snake can physically remove blockages that are deeper in the pipe.
Drano and other chemical agents cause a harsh chemical reaction, working to break down clogs caused by soap, grease, and hair. Even though Drano manufacturers claim that it is safe for pipes and septic systems, most plumbers and septic experts will advise against using it.
Even after the Drano exits your plumbing system, it can contaminate the local water supply causing harm to plants and animals.
When Drano is left in the drain for too long, it can cause corrosion of the pipes. 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.
Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.
Hydro jetting costs $475 on average but range from $350 to $600. A plumber can give you a quote and get rid of your sewer clog. Having to keep your plumber on speed dial is no fun for any homeowner. If chronic sewer clogs are giving you issues, it might be time to call in the big guns.
Cost Factors of Cleaning and Unclogging Drains
The overall cost of drain unclogging will depend on the blockage type, for instance, a small blockage in a toilet or sink is normally only priced at around £50 to £70. However, a more extensive blockage deep in your drains could end up costing you around £150 to £200.
A plunger works to unclog the main sewer line because it creates an airtight seal with the drain. In the process, it helps force the stubborn clog out of the plumbing system drains.
You will likely pay around $350 to $650 to have a plumber unclog a main sewer line unless you have complications like serious damage to the line.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
#1: Use baking soda and vinegar
Simply mix one-third of a cup of vinegar with one-third of a cup of baking soda and when it starts to fizz, quickly pour it down your clogged drain. Let it sit for an hour or more (or overnight if you suspect the blockage is really bad) and then flush with hot water.
Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.
First, you can run hot water down the drain for 5 to 10 minutes to see if that helps break up the clog. If it doesn't, pour equal parts of vinegar and baking soda into a bowl and then pour that mixture down the drain. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then run hot water down the drain.
If you notice water gushing back out from the drain pipe or leaking out from the seams on the adapter, that is a sign that there are clogs in your underground drain.
Unblock with hot water
Give your plumbing system at least five to ten minutes to absorb the hot water. The hot water aids in the removal of debris, such as built-up grease, oils, or coatings on the drain walls. The best and simplest technique to unclog the main sewer line may be to repeat this numerous times.
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.
The answer is yes, but with some caution. Drano can dissolve hair and other organic materials causing the blockage, but it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Using too much Drano or leaving it in the drain for too long can lead to damage on the pipes and potentially cause harm to the user.
Drano is a serious chemical that can't be left sitting for too long. It is made to corrode and break down clogs, but when left there for too long, it can actually corrode your pipes, this can lead to cracks and eventually water damage in your home.