No plumbing company is ever going to recommend liquid drain cleaners to clear a clogged drain. Instead, we hear endless stories on how bad they are for our water pipes and the environment. But the fact is, some of the top brands, such as Drano® and Liquid Plumber®, have proven to be effective in clearing minor clogs. They have also been scientifically tested and have proven to be safe for pipes and the environment. On the contrary, many off-brand drain cleaners can be harmful to both your pipes and the environment. Don’t skimp on purchasing a quality drain cleaner. Thoroughly read the label before you use the product. With that said, there are organic ways of clearing a small bathroom drain as well, such as a combination of baking soda and vinegar.
Let’s Look At The Two Most Popular Brands Drano and Liquid Plumber
Drano®
Drano® solutions are strong enough to dislodge stubborn clogs and will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there is no need to be concerned. Furthermore, Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover contains an anti-corrosion agent that will actually prevent pipe corrosion. Drano® was developed in 1923 and has stood the test of time, however, you should be aware that various drain cleaners in the marketplace may cause damage.
Avoid using acidic chemical cleaners containing sulfuric or hydrochloric acid that could cause damage to porcelain, metal, and nearly any other material when handled improperly. Sulfuric acid is slightly less corrosive to metal plumbing than hydrochloric acid, although it can still corrode aluminum, stainless steel, and porcelain. Therefore, chemical cleansers should only be used sparingly and only by a professional. Drano® products are completely safe and may be used with either plastic or metal pipes. Simply follow the label recommendations to remove the blockage.
Liquid Plumber®
All Liquid-Plumr® products have been lab-tested and shown to be safe for use in all types of residential plumbing. On the other hand, we do not recommend clog removers for rubber pipes because the products may harm the rubber. In addition, Liquid-Plumr® is not designed for removing waste from clogged toilets. However, if you have a septic system, you can safely utilize Liquid-Plumr® products. The chemicals decay fast and have no adverse effect on the bacteria in your tank. The product is also suitable for fixtures and sinks made of marble, fiberglass, chrome, or porcelain.
It would be best if you only used drain cleaners on minor, slow-moving drains to remove soap, hair, toothpaste, and other bathroom products. Drain cleaners were never designed for clogged toilets because they could cause damage to the wax ring.
A Zip-It Is A Good Tool For Cleaning Bathroom Drains
There is another option for cleaning slow-moving drains, and that’s called a Zip-It. It’s a long flexible plastic tool with barbs that easily fit down your drain. It costs about $7.50 and can be purchased on Amazon or at your local home center store. When you slide it down your drain, the barbs catch the hair and debris. Like a plunger, you can use it many times over, and it becomes a handy household tool. However, for significant drains such as a backed-up sewer line or toilet that won’t drain after all attempts with a plunger, it will require a plumber’s snake. In the worst-case scenario, your drain will require hydro jetting your drain. A hydro jetter is a truck-mounted drain cleaning machine the exerts as much as 4000 pounds per inch (PSI) of water, clearing everything in its path, including tree roots.
Review:
- Only use a quality-branded drain cleaning solution on slow-moving drains.
- A mix of vinegar and baking soda is an excellent organic solution.
- A Zip-It is also a useful tool to clear your bathroom sink drain.
- Never use drain cleaning solutions in your toilet.
- Never use off-branded products for drain cleaning.
- For severely clogged drains, consult your plumbing company.
We Use The Latest Drain Cleaning Technologies
Big B’s Plumbing is ready to clear any drain fast. We use the latest drain cleaning technologies, including truck-mounted hydro jetters. There is no drain we cannot clear. Everything from minor bathroom drains to sewer mains when you need a drain cleaned, we have you covered. Big B’s plumbing is an accredited A+ rated plumbing company with the Better Business Bureau. We’re a licensed, insured, and bonded plumbing company #986152.
