Drain cleaner isn’t always a good substitution for a plumber
Liquid drain cleaner can help dissolve common drain clogs.
Liquid drain cleaner is an inexpensive option over hiring a plumber.
If used incorrectly or too often, drain cleaner can damage drainpipes.
Drain cleaners can cause burns if they get on your skin.
You notice water swirling slowly around the drain, and your first thought is to reach for the liquid drain cleaner. It is a household staple—and for good reason. When it comes to clumps of hair caught in the bathroom drain or food buildup in the kitchen sink, liquid drain cleaner is a quick, easy, and inexpensive solution.
But oftentimes, you might be pouring this “plumber in a bottle” down the sink when, in fact, you should be dealing with a larger issue, like broken pipes. Still, there is a time and place for liquid drain cleaners, so learn the pros and cons of these commercial products before using them.
Liquid drain cleaner is a mixture of chemicals, such as sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, or bleach, used together to break down blockages in a drain. These chemicals are hazardous if misused, so it is important to follow the directions on the bottle carefully.
If you aren’t certain you can do that, or you’re concerned the problem may be bigger than what the bottle can fix, skip the DIY and call a local drain cleaner who can help.
So, how does drain cleaner work? The actual chemical reaction will change based on the type of cleaner you use, but ultimately, all kinds of drain cleaners have a reaction in the drainpipe that creates heat and gas to break apart grease and oils and get water flowing again.
There are several different types of drain cleaners available. Each one’s chemicals have different reactions to help break down the materials causing the clog—typically hair, grease, oil, or food—and distribute them into smaller pieces to be washed down the drain.
This type of drain cleaner is great for removing food-based clogs in the kitchen or clumps of hair in the bathroom or shower drain. Oxidizing drain cleaners are made with bleach, nitrates, and/or peroxides. The product is heavier than water, so it can move through standing water to reach the blockage site. When the cleaner reaches the clog, it oxidizes, taking electrons from the organic matter causing the blockage. When this happens, gas and heat are released and, as a result, the clog begins to disintegrate.
Caustic drain cleaners come in both powder and liquid forms. The main ingredient is sodium hydroxide (also known as lye), which turns grease, fats, oils, and more into a water-soluble, soap-like substance through heat and by giving electrons to the source of the blockage. This newly thinned substance can then be flushed away.
These cleaners are useful when you need to clean clogs that have built up over time. Perhaps you were not careful about letting grease down the drain, after which you may need the help of a caustic drain cleaner to fix the problem.
Be careful when using caustic cleaners. Sodium hydroxide is highly corrosive and can cause skin burns if the cleaner gets onto your skin.
Acidic drain cleaners should only be used by local plumbers, as these can be more dangerous than the typical cleaner you would buy from the store. These contain sulfuric acid, a hazardous chemical that can cause severe burns to the skin and dangerous chemical reactions if not used properly. It is also hard on drainpipes.
When an acidic drain cleaner mixes with water, it creates heat. This heat then melts whatever is clogging your drain. Because of the dangerous nature of this cleaner, plumbers usually only use acidic cleaners when all other options have failed.
While these types of cleaners might be found in some specialty stores, it is not advisable to use an acidic drain cleaner unless you have prior plumbing experience.
The likelihood of a liquid drain cleaner working on your clog depends on the clog itself. Drain cleaners can work on clogged drains, but not every clog can be resolved with a drain cleaner. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that a drain cleaner will make your drain work like new again. Even after using a bottle to remedy the problem, you might still need to call a plumber.
The best time to use a liquid drain cleaner is before the clog gets too bad, meaning when you first notice the drain working more slowly. This will help break apart any hair, grease, or dirt that is starting to become a problem before it gets too massive.
| Liquid Drain Cleaner Pros | Liquid Drain Cleaner Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick and easy | Can damage sinks, pipes, and septic systems |
| Inexpensive | Not eco-friendly |
| Effective on most clogs | Can’t use in garbage disposals |
A clogged drain can be stressful and irritating, but sometimes, all you need is a liquid drain cleaner to come to the rescue.
You can use liquid drain cleaner by simply following the instructions on the back of the bottle. It is usually as simple as ventilating the workspace, pouring the specified amount of cleaner into the drain, and waiting 15 to 30 minutes for the clog to dissolve. Using the correct drain cleaner for the clog at hand should effectively remove any food, hair, grease, or soap scum buildup.
Drain cleaner is an affordable option for clearing clogs. You can pick up liquid drain cleaner at a home improvement store or even a grocery store for about $5 to $15. This is less expensive than hiring a pro to take a look, but note that drain cleaner may not work if you do not know the cause of the clog.
The cost of professional drain cleaning averages around $220, but keep in mind that a plumber will know the best and safest way to clear the drain, making it a worthy investment if you are unsure of what is happening.
Liquid drain cleaners are an excellent option for food or hair buildup because no matter how many times you may remind your family, they still think it is OK to dump leftover spaghetti down the garbage disposal or forget to put the hair trap in the drain before they shower. Luckily, liquid drain cleaners can help remove minor clogs, like shower drains with standing water.
Liquid drain cleaners can seriously damage pipes if used incorrectly. If you are dealing with a clog, it’s best to hire a plumber to see if there is a more serious underlying problem—one that no store-bought drain cleaner can fix.
Always check the label to make sure your liquid drain cleaner is safe for pipes, sinks, or septic systems. Some drain cleaner chemicals may damage the porcelain or enamel of your sink, so pour carefully.
Liquid drain cleaners may also cause corrosion or wear and tear on pipes in older homes built before the 1970s. If you are concerned that a drain cleaner is not suitable for your sinks or pipes, try a plunger to remove a clog.
Hiring a plumber is the best option to ensure you do not cause costly damage to your pipes. As for septic systems, liquid drain cleaners may kill the helpful bacteria in the septic tank, leading to waste buildup.
Drain cleaners are meant to be tough against grease and grime that build up in pipes, but that can also mean they include ingredients that may harm water supplies. Also, drain cleaner bottles eventually end up in landfills, contributing to more pollution. Luckily, there are more and more biodegradable liquid drain cleaners on the market these days, so look for enzymatic biological options, meaning they use a natural mixture of bacteria and enzymes to help remove clogs.
Drain cleaners are not guaranteed to clear the clog. If you are stumped on how to get hair out of a drain or your kid decides to flush your favorite lipstick down the toilet, no amount of drain cleaner will be able to clear those issues.
Sometimes, sink drain cleaners can clear a clog temporarily, but it may reappear. That is because liquid drain cleaner cannot address more serious underlying issues, like broken pipes or a sewer line that is not working properly.
Many drain cleaners can be too harsh to use in garbage disposals and will cause pipes to deteriorate.
“We do not recommend homeowners use drain cleaners in their garbage disposals due to deterioration of the disposal pipes and traps," says Asya Biddle, Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. “The majority of drain cleaners will have directions on the back, which include the quantity to use, the situations in which it should be used, and in what types of pipes or drains that it can be used in.”
Plus, garbage disposal clogs are often caused by larger items that are too difficult for even drain cleaners to dislodge. Unclog your garbage disposal by plunging the drain over the disposal or using a homemade drain cleaner with bleach, vinegar, and hot water. If those methods fail, call a plumber to fix the garbage disposal safely.
If you follow the label directions, chemical drain cleaners can be safe for use in homes. However, chemical liquid drain cleaners are different from other types of cleansers—they use powerful chemical reactions to get the promised results, but that can put you at risk if you don’t use them cautiously.
Chemical drain cleaners often use sodium hydroxide, lye, and sulfuric acid. These caustic, corrosive materials generate heat to dissolve organic materials, but that chemical reaction can also cause irritation and burns if it touches you, possibly requiring medical treatment.
These cleaners can damage pipes and fixtures, flooring, countertops, clothing, and other materials. Damage is more likely if you don’t follow directions exactly, and if you frequently use chemicals to clean drains and remove clogs.
To prevent injuries and damage to your home, always follow directions carefully, and wear gloves and eye protection when using liquid plumber chemicals. If your plumbing regularly clogs, call a plumber to discuss the ongoing issue rather than relying on chemical drain cleaners. And if you have recently used a chemical cleaner, tell your plumber what and how much you’ve poured down your drains so they can take precautions to protect themselves and your home while they work.
There are a few DIY alternatives you can try to clear the blockage yourself before calling in a pro. These are typically better for the environment and your health. And the good news is you might already have these ingredients in your pantry.
Remember that the best course of action is usually preventive when determining how to clear a clogged drain. Taking a little bit of time to maintain your drains will save you time and money in the long run.
If you have a grease clog, dish soap and hot water are the perfect solution for it. You will want to boil about half a gallon of water, mix in a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap, and slowly pour the solution down the drain. Depending on how clogged your drain is, you might need to do this a few times to clear the blockage fully.
Using baking soda and vinegar to clear a clogged drain is an effective way to help clean your drainpipes without the use of harsh chemicals. First, place a half cup of baking soda into your sink, followed by a half cup of white vinegar.
Plug your drain and leave this mixture to sit in your sink drain for an hour. When you unplug it, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to loosen up the clog. Continue doing this until your drain is working properly again.
For tough clogs, a mixture of baking soda and salt will help break apart any globs found in your drain. Mix a half cup each of baking soda and salt and pour down the drain. Let this mixture sit for at least 30 minutes, but the longer it can sit (such as overnight), the better. Dump a pot of boiling water down the drain until the clog is cleared.
There might be a time when the clog is so bad that liquid drain cleaners or a homemade remedy just will not cut it. So, who should you call for a clogged drain?
A local drain cleaning company can help you clear stubborn blockages without compromising the integrity of your drainpipes and can even assess if a blockage further down is causing a bigger problem. The pros will have other tools in their arsenal beyond drain cleaners, including effective options like snaking a drain or removing an old drain to better inspect the problem.
Most commercial liquid drain cleaners work in 15 to 30 minutes. Consult the label on the bottle for additional instructions or time suggestions to prevent damage to your drainpipes. Alternative solutions such as baking soda, salt, white vinegar, and/or boiling water can take longer since they are less harsh than liquid drain cleaners.
If you leave liquid drain cleaner for too long, it will start breaking down your drainpipes. The chemicals in these cleaners can cause cracks, corrosion, and leaks in your pipes. They can also damage plumbing fixtures and even cause environmental damage if left too long without rinsing away.
A liquid drain cleaner can sometimes make a clog worse over time if you use it improperly or too much. The chemicals in drain cleaners can corrode and damage pipes, causing cracks and leaks that may cause further blockages. If the clog is more than the liquid drain cleaner can handle, the cleaner will simply add chemicals to a bigger overall problem.
Regardless of the drain cleaner type you choose to use, they all work through chemical reactions that create heat. Thanks to the heat, the clogged hair begins to dissolve until it is able to be flushed away. To avoid clogs in your drain due to hair, use hair catchers and empty them out after every shower.
