When you notice that water is slowly swirling around the drains, your first reaction is to grab the liquid drain cleaner. This is a staple in every household, and for good reason. Liquid drain cleaners are a simple, inexpensive, and quick solution for clumps in the bathroom sink drain or food in the kitchen.
What is liquid drain cleaner?
It’s important to know what liquid drain cleaners are before you reach for the bottle. Commercial products like these are a mixture of chemicals like sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide. They’re used to dissolve the blockage. The chemicals can be dangerous if they are misused. It is important to read the instructions on the bottle.
How does a drain cleaning product work? It depends on the type you are using. You might remember your science classes when you see the chemical reactions, but all drain cleaners create heat and gas to break down grease and oil.
Types of Drain Cleaning Products
There are several types of drain cleaners available to clear your drain pipes. The chemicals in each drain cleaner have different reactions that help to break down the materials causing a clog, such as hair, grease, or oil.
Oxidizing Drain Cleaners
This type of drain cleaner works well to remove clumps or hair from the bathroom drain. These drain cleaners contain peroxide, nitrates, and/or bleach to oxidize organic material, such as food, in order to remove the clog.
Caustic Drain Cleaners
The sodium hydroxide in these drain cleaners is used to dissolve soap or grease. This drain cleaner can move through water and dissolve the clog.
Acid Drain Cleaners
Acidic drain cleaners are only to be used by plumbers, as they can be much more dangerous than a typical cleaner that you would buy in the store. They contain sulfuric acids, which are hazardous chemicals that can cause serious burns on the skin and chemical reactions when not used correctly. These cleaners may be available in specialty stores, but you should not use them unless prior plumbing knowledge is present.
Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Work?
It depends on the type of clog you have. Drain cleaners may be able to work on clogged pipes, but not all clogs can be solved with a cleaner. There’s no way to guarantee that drain cleaners will restore your drain to its original condition. You may still need a plumber even after using a bottle of drain cleaner to fix the problem.
It is best to use liquid drain cleaners before the blockage gets too bad. This means when you notice that the drain is working slower. It will break up any dirt, hair, or grease that has started to clog the drain before it gets too bad.
Liquid Drain Cleaning: Pros and Cons
It can be frustrating and stressful to discover that your drain is clogged. Sometimes, a liquid drain cleaning solution is all that’s needed.
- Quick and Easy
Follow the directions on the bottle to use a liquid drain cleaner. The process is usually as easy as venting the area, pouring the cleaner into the drain, and waiting 15 to 30 minutes for it to dissolve. The correct drain cleaner should remove any soap scum, food, grease, or hair buildup.
- Cheap
Clogs can be removed with a drain cleaner. Liquid drain cleaner is available at most home improvement stores and even grocery stores for $5 to $15. It’s cheaper than calling a professional, but you may not get the same results if the drain cleaner doesn’t work.
The price to clear a sewer line is around $200, but a plumber knows the safest and best way to do it, so this investment can be worth it if you’re not sure.
- It is effective on certain types of clogs
You can use liquid drain cleaners to remove food and hair. No matter how many reminders you give your family, some still believe it is okay to throw leftover spaghetti into the garbage disposal or to forget to place the hair catcher before showering. Liquid drain cleaners are a great way to remove minor clogs.
Liquid Drain Cleaning: The Pros and Cons
If used incorrectly, liquid drain cleaners may cause serious damage to your pipes. It’s best to call a plumber if you have a problem that seems like a clog. A clog may indicate a deeper problem that a store-bought cleaner cannot fix.
- Can damage pipes, sinks, and septic systems
Check the label of your liquid drain cleaner to ensure it is safe for pipes or sinks. Some drain cleaners contain chemicals that may damage your sink’s porcelain or enamel.
In older homes, especially those built before 1970, liquid drain cleaners can cause corrosion and wear on the pipes. You can use a plunger if you are concerned that the drain cleaner you bought is not suitable for your pipes or sinks. To avoid causing costly damage to your pipes, it’s best to hire a professional plumber. Liquid drain cleaners can kill beneficial bacteria in septic tanks, causing waste to build up.
- Most Usually Not Eco-Friendly
The ingredients in drain cleaners can be harmful to water supplies. Drain cleaner bottles end up in landfills and contribute to pollution. There are now more liquid drain cleaners available on the market. Look for those that use enzymatic biodegradable options.
- Not All Clogs Are Compatible
Drain cleaners don’t always clear the blockage. No amount of drain cleaner can help you if you are unsure of how to remove hair from a drain or if your child decides to flush lipstick down the toilet.
Drain cleaners may temporarily clear a blockage, but they can reappear. Liquid drain cleaners won’t fix more serious issues like broken pipes and a sewer system that’s not working correctly.
- Garbage Disposal Shouldn’t be Used
Some drain cleaners are too harsh for garbage disposals and can deteriorate pipes. Asya Bided, Expert Review Board Member, and manager of The Dust Busters in Williamsport, PA, says that drain cleaners can deteriorate traps and pipes in garbage disposals.
Garbage disposal clogs can also be caused by large items that are difficult to remove with drain cleaners. Unclog the garbage disposal using hot water, vinegar, and bleach. Call a plumber if these methods don’t work.
Alternatives to Liquid Drain Cleaner
If you are concerned about safety but don’t know if professional assistance is needed, it may be worth trying to clear the blockage yourself before calling in a pro. You can clear the blockage by yourself using a few DIY options before you call a professional. They are usually better for your health and the environment. You may already have some of these ingredients in your pantry.
When determining the best way to clear a blocked drain, remember that prevention is always the best option. You will save time and money by maintaining your drains.
Dish Soap with Hot Water
Dish soap and hot tap water will solve a grease blockage. Pour a half gallon of hot water into a bowl, add a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap, and pour it down the drain. You may need to repeat this process several times depending on how badly clogged the drain is.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar can be used to clean drain
pipes effectively without using harsh chemicals. To leverage these household products, place half a cup of baking soda in your sink and then half a cup of vinegar.
After an hour, plug your drain and let the mixture sit there. Pour boiling water into the drain after unplugging your sink. This will help loosen the clog. Keep doing this until the drain starts working again.
Baking Soda and Salt
Baking soda and salt can be used to break up any globs that are stuck in your drain. Pour half a cup of each baking soda and sea salt down the drain. This mixture should be left to sit for 30 minutes or more, preferably overnight. Pour boiling water into the drain to clear the blockage.
Hire a Professional to Clean Your Drain
Sometimes, a clog can be so severe that liquid drain cleaners and homemade remedies just aren’t enough. A drain cleaning company will help you remove stubborn blockages and assess whether a larger blockage is the cause of your problem.
This post was written by Joey Denick. Joey is the Owner and Operator of Clog Kings. At Clog Kings, LLC, we pride ourselves on our dedication and efficiency. We know you don’t have time to waste. That’s why we work fast to get your home or commercial building back up and running in no time. If you are looking for water leak detection Tampa then look no further because we got you covered!