Why You Should Avoid Using Drano
Drano is not only ineffective, but its also extremely damaging to your plumbing system.
The heat created by the chemical reaction is more than your drains are designed to take. Corroded, aging plumbing can easily breakdown. Pipes can split and the glue holding them together can disintegrate. Your toilet bowl can even crack. Drain cleaner can linger in your pipes far after even a single-use. This can open up the possibility of other chemical cleaners reacting with it and creating harmful fumes.
The chemicals in the product can also pose a major threat to the health and safety of anyone working with it.
Drano is caustic. That means it can corrode organic tissue by way of chemical action. Direct contact with the skin can lead to irritation and burns. If youve already poured it down the drain and it splashes back up, it can result in irritation and injury. Inhaling the fumes can also spell trouble for your lungs.
Due to the nature of how dangerous drain cleaners can be, many plumbers wont accept an appointment if youve recently used it.
Even if everything goes off without a hitch and the cleaner flushes away without any issues, it can still cause harm outside of your home. The lye and other chemicals in Drano and similar solutions can make their way through our sewer systems and out to rivers, lakes, and the ocean. This can cause a lot of damage to the surrounding ecosystems and even our food supply.
Why You Shouldnt Leave Drano In The Drain Overnight
You shouldnt leave Drano in the drain overnight because itll slowly wear down your pipes and cause other damages, especially if you do it frequently. These include releasing toxic gasses in the air, leaving a foul smell, and potentially damaging your septic tank.
The following discusses what may happen if you leave Drano in the drain overnight:
Is It Time To Call A Professional Drain Cleaning Company In St Paul
If using a plunger or drain snake does not clear your clog, this is a sign that it is time to call a professional plumber. Considering the risks that come with using Drano, hiring a plumber to clear the clog for you will still be the safer and cheaper option in the long run. Feel free to contact us to learn more about the risks of using Drano or to find out about scheduling an appointment to have your clogged drain fixed.
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What Do You Do When Your Shower Drain Smells Like Rotten Eggs
One cup of baking soda and one cup of water is all you need to make a solution. You can apply the solution to the drain by using an old toothbrush. Pick up a cup of white vinegar and put it in the drain. If you want to kill mold and other odor-causingbacteria, cover the drain and let the solution cure.
Can You Shower After Using Drano
There is nothing worse than when your plumbing starts backing up. Drains no longer drain, and soon they become blocked up with hair, soap scum, and other debris. This is when you turn to a drain de-clogger like Drano.
Applying Drano can take time, and knowing when its safe to use your shower again is important to achieving a great drain clean-up and also keeping yourself safe from harmful chemicals.
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Leaving Drano Overnight In The Drain May Damage Your Septic Tank
Applying Drano once or twice wont damage your septic tank, but using it frequently will. Since the septic tank contains bacteria that break down liquid waste, having too many chemicals in the tank will reduce its effectiveness.
If your drain gets clogged frequently, then you should consider getting a plumbing professional to fix it. In some cases, the Drano may only partially unblock the drain resulting in repeated blockages.
What Chemical Do Plumbers Use To Unclog Drains
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Although this component can be found even in your own stomach, as part of the digestive acids, its pure concentrated form can only be purchased from certain stores if you carry a plumbers license.
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Best Methods To Get Rid Of Clogs
Plungers
If youre faced with a clogged toilet, the best method is to grab a flange plunger. Flange plungers are bell-shaped and made specifically for unclogging toilets. Simply insert the plunger in the toilet bowl and aggressively move it up down until the material breaks up and youre able to flush.
If the drain in your kitchen or bathroom sink is clogged, employ the use of a cup plunger that is made for flat surfaces in the same manner you would a flange plunger.
Drain Snake
If your clog is near the surface, drain snakes are a great way to clear the blockage. All you have to do is uncoil the snake and push it down the drain. With a little effort on your part the snake will break the clog apart and allow it to pass safely through your pipes.
Natural Enzymes
There are host of drain cleaners available that contain natural bacteria and enzymes that eat away organic waste and arent harmful to your sink or pipes. Though this method may take some time, its the safest way to get rid of a clog.
In the age of instant gratification, youre probably tempted to reach straight for the Drano the moment you have a clog.
While doing so may seem like an easy fix at the time, the long-term repercussions can spell trouble for your plumbing system, health and wallet.
If you find that you just cant unclog a drain using one of the simple methods above, your best bet is to call your local Einstein Pros plumbing experts and they will get the problem resolved quickly.
- 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
How Long After Drano Can I Shower
The amount of time you need to wait to use your shower depends on the severity of the clog and the amount of Drano youve used. For less hindering clogs, you can likely use your shower just a few hours after flushing your pipes. However, more severe clogs that require the Drano to sit overnight will require you to wait around 24 hours to ensure all Drano is out of your pipes and you dont risk hurting yourself or others with the water.
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Do You Have A Shower Drain Clog Contact Us
If you are having trouble with a shower drain that is clogged or draining slowly, call a plumber. It might need a deep cleaning or further operations to ensure that it will function properly and not cause any mold, mildew, or other issues down the line.
We at Anytime Plumbing have years of experience under our belt and we are capable of detecting the issue with ease, proposing the best, most cost-effective solution to your problem. Save yourself the headache and call a professional whenever your shower drain is clogged.
Contact us for an appointment and a reliable price estimate. We offer our high-quality service around Santa Cruz and love to see customers satisfied with the final result and the service they have received.
Dont hesitate to contact us at any time. We offer emergency plumbing services too and are available 24/7.
Is Drano Safe For Shower Drains
In Cleaning Products, Home Tips by JamieJanuary 28, 2022
Imagine youre taking a shower and by the time you finish, youre standing in about six inches of water. Does that sound familiar? If so, youve probably thought about running to your nearest home store and picking up some Drano. But is Drano actually safe for shower drains?
Drano is safe for shower drains as long as its used properly. While some Drano products are designed specifically for the kitchen or toilet, most Drano products can actually be used to clear out your shower drain too. You can use Drano Max Gel Clog Remover in a shower drain.
In this article, well cover why you should use Drano in your shower drain, which products are best for the job, and other important things to know about using Drano in your shower.
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What Not To Do
Do not use any other unclogging chemicals or liquids after using Drano. It is hydrochloric acid, which can have explosive or other dangerous reactions with other drain-cleaning chemicals. You can burst your pipes, or hurt yourself with fumes, by mixing chemicals.
Besides, Drano is one of the strongest caustic drain cleaners available. It may even damage your pipes, so we dont recommend that you use it. But, if your clog could have been washed away with strong chemicals, the Drano would have done it. You need non-chemical options.
The other problem with using Drano is that now you have a dangerous chemical stuck in your pipes. The clog is likely non-superficial, or deep enough that you cant access it with your hand. Still, dont tryyoull burn yourself on the Drano. You shouldnt try to access the pipes for the same reason. You could spill the Drano everywhere.
Will Drano Work In Standing Water
As a rule, never pour Drano into an area with standing water. In the drain system, certain kinds of bacteria can be beneficialgood bacteria will gradually break down organic material. If you pour chemicals that kill bacteria down the drain, youre ultimately hurting your drains.
What can I use to unclog my shower drain?
Mix together 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda. First, pour boiling water down the drain to loosen then follow with the baking soda-vinegar mixture and wait 15 minutes. Rinse with more boiling water.
Why wont the snake go down the shower drain?
If your snake drain wont go down the shower drain, its due to a wrong drain snake size, flawed drain snake, too much force, loose thumbscrew, or the blockage is too big. Fix this by using the correct drain type, tighten the thumbscrew, clean the drain snake, or unclog with another method.
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How Long Should You Leave Drano In The Drain
You should only leave Drano in the drain for 10 to 15 minutes. The chemicals will react with anything clogging the drain and have it cleared in a few minutes. Its best to follow this practice as recommended by Drano.
For tougher problems, you can leave Drano for 30 minutes, but not more. Leaving Drano for longer than 30 minutes wont help unclog the drain any further since it only needs a few minutes to react.
If you use the Drano Build-Up Remover for routine maintenance, you can leave it overnight since its milder than regular Drano. However, you cant use this product to unclog drains.
Warranty And Return Policy
When you buy a drano for sink, you want to know it will last. Thats why its important to find out what kind of warranty the company offers on its products. Also, if youre not satisfied with your purchase, you want to be able to return it without hassle.
Warranty information is usually included in the item description section. Read this carefully before buying. Some companies dont offer warranties at all. In contrast, others offer full or limited warranties that apply only under certain situations or conditions . Be sure to read through the fine print to know exactly what kind of coverage youre getting and whether it covers your needs. If something does break within 90 days, for example, does the company cover shipping costs for returning and replacing the item?
Return policies are also important when buying online because they give consumers peace of mind knowing they can return items without any problems or hassle if they change their minds about an order after receiving it. A clear return policy should also include any applicable shipping and handling fees.
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How Do You Unclog A Shower Drain
Step 1:
Unclogging a shower drain is similar to how you unclog bathtub drains. Start by removing and cleaning the stopper and strainer and remove as much drain-clogging gunk that you can using a drain stick or a snake.
Step 2:
Then, use Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Pipeguard. When used as directed, this formula dissolves the toughest drain clogs, eliminates drain odors and helps prevent future clogs with regular use. This drain cleaner is safe to use to unclog bathtubs, show drains and other bathroom drains.
Step 3:
After you think the drain clog is gone, flush the drain with hot water to make sure its unclogged. Turn on the faucet to see if water drains quickly and easily. If there is still a drain clog, repeat the steps for removing it.
If the bathtub or shower clogs persists, it may be time to call in a professional plumber. For more information, check out our article How to Know When to Leave it to the Pros.
And, try pouring two cups of Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Pipeguard down your drain monthly to prevent slow draining showers .
Is Drano Safe To Use In A Shower Drain
According to the manufacturer of Drano, you can safely use Drano to unclog showers, bathtubs, and sinks. However, avoid using it in your toilet to tackle clogs, as it can cause more damage than its worth. That said, the product works wonders on shower drain clogs, as it has caustic ingredients that eat away at the clog.
Generally, shower clogs are a buildup of hair, soap scum, and grime, so Drano usually doesnt have an issue with powering through these clogs. The process is quick and easy it only takes about 15 minutes for more minor clogs and 30 minutes for tough clogs. After the necessary time passes, simply flush the drain with hot water.
Although Drano is effective, some plumbers recommend against using it, as it can cause issues within your plumbing. The corrosive nature of the ingredients can compromise the glue plumbers use to seal PVC drain pipes to each other, so using Drano can be problematic.
On top of that, the gel often sits at joints in the plumbing for too long as it works on the clogs, compromising the glue joints. This can cause a host of additional problems in the long run, especially if you regularly use Drano to address drain clogs.
So, while the manufacturers state Drano is safe for use on plumbing, many plumbers warn against using it.
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How Do You Unclog A Bathtub
Step 1:
To fix a bathtub clog, start by removing the bathtub stopper or strainer from the drain. The strainer is the piece that probably resembles a mini pasta strainer.
All bathtub drains are different, so its best to follow the manufacturers instructions for removing stoppers and strainers. Some drains are easier to pull out with just your fingers. Some may require pliers or a wrench.
You can usually remove the bathtub strainer by either lifting it up with your fingernail or wedging a flat screwdriver underneath it and lifting. But, consult any instructions provided to you by the manufacturer to know the best way to unclog a bathtub drain. If you need to remove some screws, make sure they dont fall down the drain.
Step 2:
Next, run the water to test the bathtub drain flow. You may need to push down through the clog with a drain stick and pull out any gunk or debris you can loosen.
Step 3:
Then, use Liquid-Plumr® Clog Destroyer Plus+ Pipeguard or Liquid-Plumr® Hair Clog Eliminator to dissolve the bathtub drain clog. These two drain cleaners can also be used periodically to help maintain your bathroom and bathtub drains and helps prevent clog-causing buildup.
Things To Do To Prevent Your Drain From Clogging
We are fans of the saying, Prevention is better than the cure. Instead of trying to remove a shower clog, why not take some preventive measures to keep a clog from happening and save yourself from a whole world of trouble?
Here are a few things you can do to prevent a drain clog.
Grease and oil are notorious when it comes for causing shower drain clogs. Your body naturally produces oils that enter the drain when you shower.
Moreover, the bath and shower products that you use leave residue behind that clogs up your drains. It is better to avoid using oily, greasy products in the shower to prevent a drain clog.
A drain doesnt clog overnight it takes some time for a clog to form. Therefore, the best way to fight clogged drains is to make sure that you clean the drain out daily.
After you finish showering, remove visible debris, like your hair immediately. Moreover, keep the hot water running for a couple of minutes to ensure that all the bath products are flushed completely.
It is pertinent that you buy a drain cover since the major culprit for clogged drains is hair. When you shower, you shed loose hair and they go down the drain. Over the passage of time, the amount of hair builds up and results in a clog.
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Can I Shower After Using Drano
Shower drain clogs are more common than one would like since soap scum, debris, grime, and hair combine to produce blockages that cause delayed draining or even complete drain blocking. A slow-moving shower drain is an annoyance, although a full blockage may need a deep cleaning inside your drain lines.
If the problem is not resolved quickly, it may also cause water to accumulate on the shower floor, which may promote the growth of mold and mildew and result in water damage and even more expensive plumbing repairs.
When using products such as Drano, youll need to know how long after Drano can I shower. In our guide, you can learn more about Drano for shower drain and how to use it. By the end, youll know how effective it is and how long to wait after using Drano to clear a shower drain blockage.