HOW IT WORKS. 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.
Reuse every four weeks. To help prevent toilet clogs in the future, you can safely use Drano® Max Build-Up Remover monthly.
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.
Additionally, when used in toilets, Drano can end up sitting in the bowl for a while and may seep into the porcelain causing cracks or even explosions, in the most extreme cases. Occasional use is okay, but repeated use can lead to much deeper problems than a clog.
Pour whole bottle slowly down the drain. Allow to work for 15 minutes. For tough problems, allow 30 minutes.
For preventive drain cleaning, you can use Drano® Max Build-Up Remover in drains, toilets and even septic systems. Apply Drano® Max Build-Up Remover overnight or before you go to work, then wait 6 to 8 hours before running warm (not hot) water down treated drains or flushing treated toilets.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Over time, the continued usage of Drano can lead your pipes to corrode, crack and eventually fail. Dangerous for your skin, eyes and lungs: Since Drano's purpose is to dissolve organic tissues, if Drano comes into contact with your bare skin, eyes, or mouth, it can cause rashes and even burns if left too long.
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.
The thick bleach formula in Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover cuts right through standing water, clinging to your toughest clogs to blast them fast.
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.
Drano is considered safe to use so long as no bleach is present in the drain, anytime it is used. Every day if you want, but it would be a waste. If a blockage is caused by fat or hair, it's useful' If it's tree roots or dirt, it isn't.
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!
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.
Baking Soda & Salt – Pour equal parts of each down your drain, let it sit 20-30 minutes, then follow it up with hot water. Vinegar, Salt, & Lemon – Mix equal parts of salt and vinegar in a bowl, add a half part of lemon juice, then pour the mixture down your drain.
Sprinkle a small packet of baking soda down the drain, followed by a healthy dose of vinegar. This will fizz it in the drain. It's best to leave it overnight and then rinse with hot water in the morning. This can be effective in breaking down more stubborn, solid matter over time.
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.
While the baking soda and vinegar solution is effective in breaking down a clog, it will also cause your drain to become more damaged. The baking soda's abrasive nature will wear down your drain over time. This is why you should avoid using baking soda and vinegar solution for cleaning out your drain.
Chemical drain cleaners are either alkaline-based, with ingredients such as sodium hydroxide (lye) and potassium hydroxide (caustic potash); or acid-based, with high concentrations of sulfuric acid (oil of vitriol). Both types of drain cleaners can dissolve hair in pipes.
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. When you call, let the plumber know that you tried to use Drano.
Baking soda and white vinegar are sustainable substitutions for Drano. Most people have these items in their pantry at any given time. Pour a half cup of baking soda into your drain with a half cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for about thirty minutes, then pour in boiling water.
The reaction of sodium hydroxide with acetic acid produces sodium acetate and water. Neither product is especially harmful (like sodium hydroxide is), but the mixture will get hot and you can get a combined chemical/thermal burn from hot unreacted sodium hydroxide.